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I'lihiiil,.-  ;.v 


LLOYD’S 


BATTLE  HISTORY 


OF  THE 


FKOM  TJIE  CAPTUKE  OK  FOHl’  8UMTE11,  AIMUE  14,  18G1,  TO  TUE 
CAPTURE  OF  OEIO'ERSON  UAV13,  MAY  10,  1805, 


GENERAL  IIOWAIiD’S  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  VOLUNTEER, 

268  BATTLE  DESCIUPTIONS,  , 

3 9 D 1 0 G 11  A P II I C A L SKETCHES, 

4 0 POUT  BAITS  OF  GENERALS, 

17  MAPS  OF  BATTLE-FIELDS, 

13  BATTLE  PICTURES, 

AND 

A GENERAL  REVIEW 

OF  THE 

WAR  FOR  THE  UNION. 


NEW  YORK: 

n.  H.  LLOYD  & CO.,  PUBLISHERS, 

No.  21  JOHN  STREET. 

B.  B.  Bussell  & Co,  55  Cornhili,,  Boston;  B.  B.  Landon,  act., 
58  Michigan  AviajUE,  Chicago. 

186G. 


INTRODUCTION 


The  work  wliich  is  herewith  presented  to  the  public  is  designed 
to  keep  the  hearts  of  the  people  warm  and  grateful  toward  the 
Noble  Defenders  of  Union  atid  Freedom  who  in  so  many  weary 
and  bloody  struggles  have  upheld  the  nation’s  flag,  the  nation’s 
honor,  and  the  nation’s  life. 

To  the  Women  who  have  toiled  and  watched,  and  mourned  and 
prayed,  in  the  homo  and  in  the  hospital — to  the  Men  who  have 
planned  or  have  led  our  armies  to  victory — .and,  above  all,  to  the 
Private  Soldiers  and  Sailors,  whose  immortal  valor  and  patience 
have  done  the  work,  and  paid  the  price  of  liberty  and  peace, 

f oUintc  is 

We  can  not  better  introduce  the  record  of  these  Battles  for  the 
Union  than  by  giving  here  the  graphic  delineation  of  the  Life, 
Trials,  and  Triumphs  of  the  Volunteer,  portrayed  so  vividly  by 
one  of  the  bravest  and  best  of  American  Generals. 

THE  UNION  VOLUNTEER; 

A TRIBUTE  TO  III3  WORTH. 

BY 

MAJOR-GENERAL  OLIVER  O.  HOWARD. 

In  the  early  part  of  18G1  the  true  citizen  heard  that  traitors  at 
Washington  had  formed  a conspiracy  to  overthrow  the  Govern- 
ment, and  soon  after  that  the  Stars  and  Stripes  had  been  fired  upon 
and  had  been  hauled  down  at  the  bidding  of  an  armed  enemy  in 
South  Carolina;  that  the  capital  of  the  nation  was  threatened,  and 
that  our  new  President  had  called  for  help.  How  quickly  the  citi- 
zen answered  the  call!  'Almost  like  magic  ho  sprang  forth  a 
soldier. 

Ilis  farm,  his  benclt,  his  desk,  his  counter  were  left  behind, 
and  you  find  him  marching  through  the  then  gloomy,  flagless, 


c 


lyitroduction. 


defiant  streets  of  Baltimore,  fully  equipped  for  service,  with  uni- 
form gray,  blue,  red,  or  green — it  then  mattered  not;  with  knap- 
sack, cartridge-box,  musket  and  bayonet,  his  outfit  was  all  that 
was  required.  lie  was  a little  awkward,  his  accoutrements  much 
awry,  his  will  unsubdued.  He  did  not  keep  step  to  music,  nor 
always  lock  step  with  his  companions.  lie  had  scarcely  ever  fired 
a musket,  but  he  had  become  a soldier,  put  on  the  soldier’s  garb, 
set  his  face  toward  the  enemy,  and,  God  willing,  he  purposed 
never  to  turn  back  till  the  soldier’s  wmrk  was  done.  You  meet 
him  at  Washington  (on  Meridian  Hill,  perhaps);  discipline  and 
drill  seize  upon  him,  restrain  his  liberty,  and  mold  his  body. 
Colonels,  captains,  lieutenants,  and  sergeants,  his  former  equals, 
order  him  about,  and  ho  must  obey  them.  0 what  daysl  and 
O wliat  nights  1 Where  is  homo  and  affection?  Where  is  tho 
soft  bed  and  tho  loaded  table?  Change  of  climate,  change  of  food, 
want  of  rest,  wmnt  of  all  kinds  of  old  things,  and  an  influx  of  all 
sorts  of  new  things,  make  him  sick — yes,  really  sick  in  body  and 
soul.  But  in  spite  of  a few  doses  of  quinine  and  a wholesome 
hospital  bed  and  diet  (as  the  soldier  of  ’61  remembers  them),  his 
vigorous  constitution  and  indomitable  heart  prevail,  so  that  he  is 
soon  able  to  cross  the  Long  Bridge  and  invade  the  sacred  red  clay 
of  Virginia  with  his  companions  in  arms. 

Yet,  perhaps,  should  you  now  observe  him  very  closely,  yon 
will  perceive  his  enthusiasm  increasing  faster  even  than  his 
strength.  He  is  on  tho  enemy’s  side  of  the  river;  now  for  strict 
guard  duty ; now  for  the  lonely  picket  amid  the  thickets  where 
men  are  killed  by  ambushed  foes.  How  tho  eye  and  tho  ear,  and 
— may  I say  it? — the  heart,  are  quickened  in  these  new  and  trying 
vigils  1 Before  long,  however,  the  soldier  is  inured  to  these  things, 
lie  becomes  familiar  with  every  stump,  tree,  and  pathway  of 
approach,  and  bis  trusty  gun  and  stouter  heart  defy  any  secret  foe. 
Presently  you  find  him  on  tho  road  to  battle.  The  hot  weather  of 
July,  the  usual  load,  the  superadded  twenty  extra  rounds  of  car- 
tridges and  three  days’  rations  strung  to  his  neck,  and  the  long, 
weary  march  quite  exhaust  his  strength  during  tho  very  first  day. 


Introduction. 


V, 


He  aches  to  leave  the  ranks  and  rest;  but  no,  no.  lie  did  not 
leave  home  for  the  ignominious  name  of  “straggler”  and  “skulker.” 
Cost  what  it  may,  ho  toils  on.  The  Acotink,  the  Cub  Kun,  the 
never-to-be-forgotten  Bull  Run  are  passed.  Here,  of  a sudden, 
strange  and  terrible  sounds  strike  upon  his  ear  and  bear  down 
upon  his  heart : the  booming  of  shotted  cannon ; the  screeching 
of  burstcd  shell  through  the  heated  air,  and  the  zip,  zip,  zip  of 
smaller  balls;  everything  produces  a singular  effect  upon  him. 
Again,  all  at  once,  h«  is  thrown  quite  unprepared  upon  a new  and 
trying  experience;  for  now  he  meets  the  groaning  ambulance  and 
the  bloody  stretcher.  lie  meets  limping,  armless,  legless,  dis- 
figured, wounded  men.  To  the  right  of  him  and  to  the  loft  of  him 
are  the  lifeless  forms  of  the  slain.  Suddenly  a largo  iron  missilo 
of  death  strikes  close  beside  him  and  explodes,  sending  out  twenty 
or  more  jagged  fragments,  which  remorselessly  maim  or  kill  fivo 
or  six  of  his  mates  before  they  have  had  the  opportunity  to  strike 
one  blow  for  their  country.  His  face  is  now  very  pale ; and  will 
not  the  American  soldier  flinch  and  turn  back?  There  is  a stone 
wall;  there  is  a building;  there  is  a stack  of  hay;  it  is  so  easy  to 
hide.  But  no.  He  will  not  bo  a coward.  “ 0 God,  support 
and  strengthen  me!”  ’Tis  all  his  prayer.  Soon  he  is  at  work. 
Yonder  is  the  foe.  “Load  and  fire;”  “load  and  fire.”  But  the 
cry  comes,  “ Our  flank  is  turned.”  “ Our  men  retreat.”  With 
tears  pouring  down  his  cheek,  he  slowly  yields  and  joins  the  re- 
tiring throng.  Without  any  more  nerve  and  little  strength  ho 
struggles  back  from  a lost  field.  Now  ho  drinks  the  dregs  of  suf- 
fering. Without  blanket  for  the  night,  without  food,  without 
hope,  it  is  no  wonder  that  a panic  seizes  him,  and  ho  runs  de- 
moralized away.  This  disreputable  course,  however,  is  only 
temporary. 

The  soldier  before  long  forgets  his  defeat  and  his  sufferings, 
brightens  up  his  armor,  and  resumes  his  place  on  the  defensivo 
line.  Ho  submits  for  weary  days  to  discij)line,  drill,  and  hard 
fare  ; ho  wades  through  the  snows  of  winter  and  the  deep  mud  of 
a Virginia  spring.  He  sleeps  upon  the  ground,  upon  the  deck  of 


8 Introduction. 

a transport  steamer,  and  upon  the  floor  of  the  platform  car.  Ho 
lieli)s  load  and  unload  stores;  ho  makes  fascines  and  gabions;  ho 
corduroys  quicksands,  and  bridges  creeks  and  bogs.  Night  and 
day  he  digs  or  watches  in  the  trenches.  What  a world  of  new 
experience!  What  peculiar  labor  and  suffering  he  passes  througli, 
the  soldier  alone  can  tell  you.  lie  now  marclies  hurriedly  to  his 
second  battle ; soon  after  he  is  in  a series  of  them.  Fight  and  fall 
back ! Fight  and  fall  back ! 0 those  d.ays  of  hopelessness,  sorrow, 
toil,  and  emaciation.  How  vividly  the  living  soldier  remembers 
them,  those  days  when  ho  cried  from  the  bottom  of  his  heart,  “O 
God,  how  long!  how  long!” 

Would  you  have  patience  to  follow  him  through  the  commin- 
gling disasters  from  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  to  the  same  old 
Bull  Run,  you  would  emerge  with  liiin  from  the  chaos  and  behold 
his  glistening  bayonet  again  on  the  successful  field  of  Antietam, 
where  a glimmer  of  hope  lighted  up  his  heart.  Would  you  go  with 
him  to  the  bloody  fields  of  Fredericksburg,  staunch  his  wounds  in 
the  wilderness  of  Cbancellorsville,  and  journey  on  with  him  after- 
ward to  this  hallowed  ground  of  Gettysburg,  and  could  you  be 
enabled  to  read  and  record  his  toils,  his  sufferings,  and  all  his 
thoughts,  you  might  be  able  to  appreciate  the  true  American  soldier. 
You  might  tlien  recite  the  first  chapter  of  the  cost  of  tlio  preserva- 
tion of  the  American  Union.  In  September,  1803,  after  tlio  batt\o 
of  Gettysburg,  the  Government  sends  two  army  corps  to  reinforce 
our  brethren  in  the  AVest.  Tlie  soldier  is  already  far  from  home 
and  friends,  but  he  is  suddenly  apprised  that  he  must  go  two 
thousand  miles  farther.  He  can  not  visit  his  fimiily  to  take  leave 
of  them.  Ho  has  scarcely  the  o[)portunity  of  writing  a lino  of  fare- 
well. Tho  chances  of  dcatli  are  multitudinous  as  they  appear  be- 
fore his  imagination,  and  the  hope  of  returning  is  very  slender. 
Yet  again  tho  soldier  does  not  falter.  AVith  forty  others  ho  crowds 
into  tho  close,  unventilated  freight-car  and  speeds  away,  night  and 
day,  without  even  tho  luxury  of  a decent  seat.  With  all  tho  pecu- 
liar discomforts  of  this  journey,  the  backings  and  tho  w.aitings  at 
the  railroad  junctions,  tho  transfers  from  car  to  car  and  from  train 


Introduction. 


9 


to  train — being  confined  for  days  witlioiit  the  solace  and  strength 
derived  from  liis  coffee,  there  is  yet  something  compensative  in  tlie 
exliilarating  influence  of  change.  And  tlicro  is  added  to  it  in  pass- 
ing through  Ohio  and  Indiana  a renewed  inspiration  a?  tlie  people 
turn  out  in  masses  to  welcome  him  and  to  bid  him  God-s[)eed  ; and 
little  girl.s  throw  wrcatlisof  flowers  round  liis  nock,  ki.ss  his  bronzed 
check,  and  strew  his  car  witli  other  oflerings  of  love  and  devotion. 
Such  impressions  as  were  here  received  were  never  effaced.  They 
touch  the  rough  heart  anew  with  tenderness,  and  being  a reminder 
of  all  the  old  home  affections,  only  serve  to  deepen  his  resolution 
sooner  or  later,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  reach  the  goal  of  his 
ambition — tliat  is  to  say,  with  his  compatriots,  to  secure  to  his 
children  and  to  other  children  enduring  peace  with  liberty  and  an 
undivided  country,  lie  passes  on  through  Kentucky,  through  the 
battle-fields  of  Tennessee,  already  historical.  The  names  bTasliville, 
Stone  Iviver,  Murfreesboro,  and  Tullahoina  remind  him  of  past 
struggles  and  portend  future  contlicts.  lie  is  deposited  at  Bridge- 
port, Alabama,  a houseless,  cheerless,  chilly  jilace,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Tennessee,  possessing  no  interest  further  than  that  furnished 
by  the  railroad  bridge  destroyed,  and  the  yet  remaining  rubbish 
and  fihh  of  an  enemy’s  camp.  Before  many  days  the  soldier 
threads  his  w’ay  up  the  valley  of  the  great  river  which  winds  and 
twists  amid  the  rugged  mountains,  till  he  finds  himself  beneath  the 
rock-crowned  steeps  of  Lookout.  Flash  after  flash,  volume  after 
volume  of  light-colored  smoke,  and  jieal  on  peal  of  cannon,  the 
crashing  sound  of  .“h’ot  and  the  screaming  of  shell,  are  the  ominous 
signs  of  unfriendly  welcome  sent  forth  to  meet  him  from  this  rocky 
height.  Yet  on  he  marches,  in  spite  of  threatening  d;i,nger,  in  spite 
of  the  ambush  along  the  route,  until  ho  has  joined  hands  with  his 
Western  brother,  who  bad  come  from  Chattanooga  to  meet  and  to 
greet  him.  This  is  where  the  valley  of  Lookout  joins  that  of  the  Ten- 
nessee. At  this  place  the  stories  of  Eastern  and  AYestern  hardship, 
suffering,  battling,  and  danger  are  recapitulated  and  made  to  blend 
into  the  common  history  and  the  common  sacrifice  of  the  American 
soldier. 


10 


Introduction. 


Were  there  time,  I wouUl  gladly  take  yon,  step  by  step,  with  the 
soldier,  as  he  bridges  and  crosses  the  broad  and  tlie  rai)id  river;  as 
he  ascends  and  storms  the  height  of  Mission  Itidgo,  or  as  he  plants 
Ills  victorious  feet,  waves  liis  banner,  atid  flashes  his  gun  on  the 
top  of  Lookout  Mountain.  I would  carry  you  with  him  across  the 
deatli-bearing  streams  of  Chickamauga.  I would  have  you  follow 
him  in  liis  weary,  barefooted,  wintry  march  to  the  relief  of  Knox- 
ville and  back  to  Chattanooga.  From  his  point  of  view  I would 
open  up  the  spring  campaign,  where  the  great  Ceneral  initiated  his 
remarkable  work  of  genius  and  daring.  I could  point  you  to  tire 
soldier  ])ursuing  his  enemy  into  the  strongholds  of  Dalton,  behind 
the  stern,  imirassahle  features  of  Rocky  Face.  Resaca,  Adairsville, 
Cassville,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Pickett’s  klill.  Pine  Top^ 
Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw,  Culps’  Farm,  Smyrna,  Camp  Ground, 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  from  so  many  points  of  view,  and 
Jonesboro,  are  names  of  battle-fields  upon  each  of  which  a soldier’s 
memory  dwells.  For  u[)ward  of  a hundred  days  he  scarcely  rested 
from  the  conflict.  He  skirmished  over  rocks,  hills,  and  mountains  ; 
through  mud,  streams,  and  fore.sts.  For  hundreds  of  miles  lie  gave 
his  aid  to  dig  that  endless  chain  of  intrenchments  which  compassed 
every  one  of  the  enemy’s  fortified  positions.  He  companied  with 
those  who  combated  the  obstinate  foe  on  the  front  and  on  the 
flanks  of  those  mountain  fastnesses  which  the  enemy  had  deemed 
impregnable,  and  ho  had  a right  at  last  to  echo  tlio  sentiment  of 
his  indefatigable  leader,  “ Atlanta  is  ours,  and  fairly  won  !” 

Could  you  now  have  patience  to  turn  back  with  him  and  fight 
these  battles  over  again,  hehohl  his  communic.ations  cut,  his  rail- 
road destroyed  for  miles  and  miles;  enter  the  bloody  light  of  Alla- 
toona,  follow  him  through  the  forced  marches,  via  Rome,  Ga., 
away  back  to  Resaca,  and  through  the  obstructed  gaps  of  the 
mountains  into  Alabama,  you  would  thank  God  for  giving  him  a 
stout  lieart  and  an  unflinching  faith  in  a just  and  noble  cause. 
Weary  and  worn  ho  reposes  at  Atlanta  on  his  return  but  one  single 
night,  when  he  commences  the  memorable  march  toward  Savan- 
nah. The  soldier  has  become  a veteran ; ho  can  march  all  day 


Introduction.  1 1 

■with  his  musket,  his  knapsack,  his  cartrWge-box,  his  haversack, 
and  canteen  upon  his  person ; his  muscles  have  become  large  and 
rigid,  so  that  wliat  was  once  extremely  difficult  he  now  accom- 
plishes will]  graceful  ease.  This  fact  must  be  borne  in  mind  when 
studying  the  soldier’s  marches  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 
The  enemy  burned  every  bridge  across  stream  after  stream;  the 
rivers,  bordered  with  swamps — for  example,  the  Ocmulgee,  the 
Oconee,  and  the  Ogeechee — were  defended  at  every  crossing. 
Tfiat  they  were  passed  at  all  by  our  forces  is  due  to  the  cheerful, 
fearless,  indomitable  private  soldier.  O that  you  bad  seen  him, 
as  I have  done,  wading  creeks  a half  a mile  in  width  and  water 
waist  deep,  under  fire,  pressing  on  through  wide  swamps,  without 
one  faltering  step,  charging  in  line  upon  the  most  formidable  works, 
which  were  well  defended.  You  could  then  appreciate  him  and  ' 
what  he  has  accomplished,  as  I do.  You  could  then  feel  the  poign- 
ant sorrow  that  I always  did  feel  when  I saw  him  fall  bleeding  to 
the  earth. 

I must  now  leave  the  soldier  to  tell  his  own  talc  among  the  peo- 
ple ; of  his  bold,  bloody  work  at  McAllister  against  the  torpedoes, 
abattis,  artillery,  and  musketry  ; of  his  privations  at  Savannah  ; of 
his  struggles  through  the  swamps,  quicksands,  and  over  the  broad 
rivers  of  the  Carolinas;  of  the  fights,  fires,  explosions,  doubts  and 
triumphs  suggested  by  Griswoldville,  Rivers’  and  Binnaker’s 
bridges,  Orangeburg,  Congaree  Creek,  Columbia,  Cheraw,  Fayette- 
ville, Averysboro,  and  Bentonville.  I will  leave  him  to  tell  bow 
his  hopes  brightened  at  the  reunion  at  Goldsboro ; how  bis  heart 
throbbed  with  gratitude  and  joy  as  the  wires  confirmed  the 
rumored  news  of  Lee’s  defeat,  so  soon  to  bo  followed  by  the  cap- 
ture of  the  enemy’s  capital  and  of  his  entire  army.  I will  leave 
him  to  tell  to  yourselves  and  your  children  ho-w  be  felt  and  acted, 
liow'  proud  was  bis  bearing,  bo'w  elastic  his  step  as  ho  inarched  in 
review  before  the  President  of  the  United  States  at  Washington. 

I would  do  the  soldier  injustice  not  to  say  that  there  was  one  thing 
wanting  to  make  his  satisfaction  complete,  and  tliat  was  the  sight 
of  the  tall  form  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  the  absence  of  that  bitter 
1 


12 


Introduction. 


recollection  -wliich  he  could  not  altogether  exclude  from  his  heart, 
that  ho  had  died  by  the  liand  of  a traitor  assassin. 

I have  given  you  only  glimpses  of  the  American  soldier  as  I have 
seen  him.  To  feel  the  full  force  of  what  he  has  done  and  suffered, 
you  should  have  accompanied  him  for  the  last  four  years.  You 
should  have  stood  upon  the  battle-fields  during  and  after  the  strug- 
gle ; and  you  should  have  completed  your  observation  in  the  army 
hospitals  and  upon  the  countless  grounds  peopled  with  the  dead. 
The  maimed  bodies,  the  multitude  of  graves,  the  historic  fields,  tho 
monumental  stones,  after  all,  are  only  meagre  memorials  of  the 
soldier’s  work.  God  grant  that  what  he  planted,  nourished,  and 
has  now  preserved  by  his  blood — I mean  American  liberty — may 
be  a plant  dear  to  us  as  the  apple  of  the  eye,  and  that  its  gi-owth 
may  not  be  hindered  till  its  roots  are  firmly  set  in  every  State  of 
this  Union,  and  till  the  full  fruition  of  its  blessed  fruit  is  realized 
by  men  of  every  name,  color,  and  description  in  this  broad  land. 


CONTENTS, 

ALPHABETICALLY  ARKANGED. 


Abingdon,  Va 

Albemarle  Sound,  N.  C 

Allatoona,  Ga 

— Antietam  Creek — Sharpsburg,  Md 

Arkansas  Post,  Ark 

Assassination  of  President  Lincoln 

Atlanta  Vicinity,  Ga 

Averysboro  and  Moor’s  Cross  Roads,  N.  C. 

Ball’s  Bluff 

Baton  Rouge,  La 

Bayou  Coteau,  La 

Belmont,  Mo 

Bentonsville,  N.  C 

Bermuda  Hundred,  Va 

Beverly  Ford,  Va 

Big  Bethel  

Big  Black  River,  Miss 

Biographical  Sketches — Lincoln,  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan 

Booncville,  Mo 

Branchville,  Columbia,  Charleston,  etc.,  S.  C 

Brashear  City,  La 

Brentwood,  Tenn 

Bristow  Station,  Va 

Brown’s  Ferry,  Tenn 

Brownsville,  Texas 

Bull  Run 

Bull  Run,  Va 

Bull’s  Gap,  Va 

Burkesville,  Deatonsville,  etc.,  Va 

Camp  Alleghany 

Campbell’s  Station,  Tenn 

Camp  Cole 

Cane  River,  La 

Cano  River,  La 

Cape  Girardeau,  Mo 


54G 

394 

549 

154 

200 

GG5 

498 

GIO 

60 

134 

321 

54 
612 
446 
2G1 

29 

253 

675 

31 

689 

2G2 

204 

318 

319 

322 
33 

141 

651 

636 

55 
326 

31 

383 

393 

213 


Contents. 


16 


Contents. 


Camifex  Ferry,  Va 

Garrick's  Ford,  Va. 

Carthage,  Mo 

Cedar  Creek,  Va 

Cedar  Mountain,  Va 

Central  Alabama  and  Georgia 

Central  and  Southern  Missouri 

Central  Mississippi 

Central  Mississippi  and  Alabama 

Central  Virginia 

Central  Virginia 

Central  Virginia 

Champion  Hill,  or  Baker’s  Creek,  Miss 

Chancellorsville,  etc.,  Va. 

Chantilly,  Va 

Chapmansville,  Va 

Charleston  Harbor,  S.  C 

Chattanooga,  Tenn 

Cheat  Mountain  Pass,  Va 

Chickamauga,  Ga 

Citronelle,  Ala. . . . .■ 

Cold  Harbor,  Va 

Corinth,  Miss 

Corinth,  Miss 

Corinth,  Miss 

Crooked  Run,  Va 

Cross  Keys,  Va 

Cumberland  Gap,  Tenn 

Cyntliiana,  Ky 

Dabney’s  Mills  and  Hatcher’s  Hun,  Va 

Dallas  Vicinity,  Ga 

Dalton,  Ga 

Darbytown  Road,  Va 

Darbytown  Road,  Va 

Darbytown,  Williamsburg  Road,  and  Hatcher  s Run,  Va. 

Deep  Bottom,  Va 

Donaldsonville,  La 

Drainesville,  Va 

Dug  Spring,  Mo 

Elk  Creek,  Ark 

Falling  Waters,  Va 

Farmington,  Miss 

Farmington,  Tenn 

Fisher’s  Hill,  Va 


•17 

OO 

32 

654 

136 

C53 

652 

214 
307 

215 
375 
430 
252 
220 
146 
49 

206 

336 

47 

312 

669 

453 

113 

169 

172 

516 

122 

311 

467 

592 

451 

628 

647 

560 

656 

513 

2.14 

56 

42 

298 

31 

106 

317 

510 


Contents.  1 7 

PAore 

Fisher's  Hill,  Va 549 

Fort  Anderson,  N.  C 599 

Fort  Darling,  Va 432 

Fort  Darling — Drury’s  Bluff,  Va ]07 

Fort  De  Bussey,  etc.,  La 378 

Fort  Donelson,  Tenn 65 

Fort  Donelson,  Tenn 202 

Fort  Fisher,  N.  C 574 

Fort  Fisher,  N.  C 681 

Fort  Henry,  Tenn 61 

Fort  Macon,  Beaufort,  N.  C 92 

Fort  Pillow 390 

Fort  Pillow  (Wright),  Tenn 119 

Fort  Pulaski,  Ga 90 

Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip — New  Orleans 95 

Fort  Sumter 2.3 

Fort  Sumter,  S.  C 305 

Fort  Sumter,  S.  C 310 

Fort  Wagner,  S.  C 300 

Franklin,  Tenn 209 

Franklin,  Tenn 560 

C Fredericksburg,  Va ]78 

^ Fredericksburg,  Va 181 

Gaines’  Mills,  Va 128 

%'Gettysburg,  Penn 275 

Grahainsville,  Pocotaligo,  etc.,  S.  C 659 

Grand  Gulf,  Miss 215 

Greenbrier,  Va 49 

Groveton,  or  Manassas,  Va 140 

Guntown,  Miss 463 

Hampton  Roads,  Va 73 

Hanover  Court  House,  Va 109 

Harper's  Ferry,  Va 150 

Hattcras  Inlet 44 

Helena,  Ark , 295 

Honey  Springs,  Indian  Ter 304 

Ironton,  Mo 546 

Irwinsville,  Ga 670 

Island  Ford  and  Ashby’s  Gap,  Va ■ 490 

Island  No.  10 88 

luka.  Miss 169 

Jackson,  Miss 251 

Jackson,  Miss 299 

Jonesboro  and  Atlanta,  Ga 529 


18 


Contents. 


Jonesboro,  Iiovcjoy’s  Station,  etc.,  Ga  . . 

Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga 

Kettle  Run,  or  Bristow  Station,  Va 

Kinston,  etc.,  N.  C 

Kinston,  N.  C 

Knoxville,  Tcnn 

Lawrence,  Kansas 

Lee’s  Mills 

Lexington,  Mo 

Locust  Grove  ami  Mine  Run,  Va 

Macon  and  Western  Railroad,  Ga 

Malvern  Hill,  Va 

Meclianicsville,  Va 

Memphis,  Tenn 

Jlilliken’s  Bend,  La 

Mill  Spring,  Ky 

Mobile,  Ala 

Mobile  Ikiy,  Ala 

Monocacy  Junction,  Md 

Monterey,  Va 

Moorefield,  Md 

Mount  Crawford,  Va 

Munfordsville,  Ky 

Murfreesboro,  Stone  River,  Tenn 

Murfreesboro,  Tenn 

Nacliitoches,  La 

Nashville,  Tenn 

Newbern,  N.  C 

Newbern,  N.  C 

New  Madrid,  Mo 

Newmarket,  Va 

North  Anna  River,  Va 

Oak  Grove,  Va 

Olustee,  Fla 

Opequan  Creek,  or  Winchester 

Paducah,  Ky 

Peach  Orchard,  Va 

Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga 

Peach  'Tree  Creek,  Ga 

Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas 

Perryville,  Ky 

Philippi,  Va 

JPetersburg  and  Richmond,  Va 

Petersburg  and  Richmond  Railroad,  Va 


rAon 

r.).> 

485 

139 

189 

608 

328 

305 

91 

48 

359 

407 

133 

126 

120 

260 

66 

649 

608 

489 

206 

607 

461 

64 

192 

134 

381 

663 

78 

366 

78 

441 

447 

125 

371 

635 

382 

129 

492 

494 

70 

173 

28 

628 

416 


Contents. 


19 


Petersburg,  Quaker  Road,  Boydtou  Road,  and  Five  Forks,  Va. ...  019 

Petersburg,  Va 402 

Petersburg,  Va 470 

Petersburg,  Va 481 

Petersburg,  Va 502 

Petersburg,  Va C16 

Pleasant  mil.  La 388 

Plymouth,  N.  C 392 

Pocotaligo,  S.  C 177 

Port  Gibson,  Miss 219 

Port  Hudson,  La 203 

Port  Hudson,  La 247 

Port  Hudson,  La 258 

Port  Hudson,  La 29G 

Port  Republic,  Va 123 

Port  Royal 62 

Prairie  Grove,  Ark 178 

Progress  of  the  Rebellion 25 

Raleigh  and  Hillsboro,  N.  C 662 

Rappahannock  Station  and  Kelley's  Ford,  Va 324 

Raymond,  Miss .' 251 

Reams’  Station,  Stony  Creek,  etc.,  Va 482 

Red  Mound,  Tcnn 197 

Rcsaca,  Ga 437 

Review  of  the  War 685 

Richmond  and  Petersburg  Vicinities,  Va 541 

Richmond,  Ky 146 

Rich  Mountain 32 

Ringgold,  Ga 358 

Roanoke  Island,  N.  C 62 

Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga 417 

Rodgersville,  Tenn 326 

Romney,  Va 62 

Sabine  Cross  Roads,  Mansfield,  La 385 

Santa  Rosa  Island 49 

Salisbury  (N.  C.),  etc 635 

Savage’s  Station,  Va 130 

Savannah,  Ga 668 

Secession ville,  James  Island,  S.  C 124 

Seven  Pines,  or  Fair  Oaks,  Va 114 

Shelby  ville  and  Tullahoma,  Tenn 263 

Shiloh,  or  Pittsburg  Landing 82 

Silver  Spring,  D.  C 490 

Smith’s  Raid 370 


20  Contents, 

rAfia 

SomcrBct,  Ky ^>05 

Southeastern  Virginia 415 

Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va 421 

Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va 442 

Springfield,  Mo 52 

Springfield,  Mo 19.) 

Springville,  Term 202 

St.  Charles,  Ark 125  ^ 

Strawberry  Plains,  Va .512 

Summit  Point,  Va 527 

Sycamore  Church,  Belcher's  Mill,  etc.,  Va 53-1 

Tallahassee,  Fla 670 

Texas 673 

The  Wilderness,  Va 399 

Trevilian  Station,  etc.,  Va 4G8 

Tunnel  Hill,  Ga 374 

Turner’s  Gap,  South  Mountain,  Md 1 19 

Valley  of  Virginia 365 

Valverde,  New  Mexico 70 

Vicinity  of  Cherbourg  Harbor,  France 475 

Vicksburg,  Miss 191 

Vicksburg,  Miss 209 

Vicksburg,  Miss 234 

Vicksburg,  Miss 267 

Vienna,  Va 30 

Waynesboro  (Va  ),  .Tames  River  Canal,  and  Virginia  Central  R.R.  603 

Weldon  Railroad,  near  Potensburg,  Va 478 

Weldon  Railroad,  ue.ar  Petersburg,  Va 51 6 

West  Point,  Va 101 

White  House,  St.  Jlary's  Church,  etc  , Va 484 

White  Oak  Swamp,  Glendale,  and  Turkey  Bend,  Va 131 

Williamsburg,  Va 99 

Wilmington,  N.  C 598 

Wilson's  Creek,  Mo 43 

Wilson’s  Landing,  Va 45O 

Winchester,  Va 80 

Winchester,  Va 108 

Winchester,  Va 262 

Winchester,  Va 494 

Yazoo  City,  Miss 297 

Yellow  Bayou,  La 442 


LIST  or  ILLUSTRATIONS 


STEEL  PLATE  FRONTISPIECE,  INCLUDING  PORTR/VIT8  OF  LINCOLN, 
GRANT,  SHERMAN,  AND  SHERIDAN. 

MAPS. 

(17.)  To  face  Pago 

Map  of  Washington  and  its  Defenses 12 

“ Battle-field  of  Bull  Run 34 

“ Fortress  Monroe  and  Vicinity 74 

“ Richmond  and  Vicinity 114 

“ Battle-field  of  Groveton  (second  Bull  Run) 142 

“ Harper’s  Ferry 153 

“ Battle-field  of  Antietam 101 

“ Battle-field  of  Fredericksburg 182 

“ Chancellors ville  and  Vicinity 220 

“ Vicksburg  and  its  Forts 207 

“ Battle-field  of  Gettj^sburg 270 

“ Charleston  and  its  Defenses 309 

“ Chattanooga,  and  Sherman's  Campaign  in  Georgia 339 

“ Atlanta,  and  Sherman’s  Campaign  in  Georgia 630 

“ Wilmington  and  Cap.e  Fear  River 698 

‘ ‘ Richmond  and  Petersburg,  with  Surroundings 628 

“ Mobile  and  its  Defenses 650 

BATTLE  SCENES. 

(13.) 

Capture  of  Fort  Donclson 06 

Battle  of  Shiloh 85 

Farragut’s  Fleet  bombarding  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip 90 

Battle  of  Antietam 104 

Battle  of  Chancellorsville 226 

Siege  of  Vicksburg 257 

Battle  of  Gettysburg. 290 

Capture  of  Lookout  Mountain 345 

Morgan  on  a Ibiid 407 

Ikittle  of  the  Wilderness 406 

Farragut’s  Victory  in  Mobile  Bay 611 

Capture  of  Fort  Fisher 582 

General  Sheridan  at  the  Battle  of  Five  Forks 027 


2 


List  of  Illustrations. 


poimuri’S  wiTU  sketches. 


(35. 


To  face  Page 


Major-Gen.  B.  F.  Butler 44 

Major-Gen.  G.  H.  Thomas..  . . 60 

Rear  Admiral  Foote 61 

Major-Gen.  Burnside 62 

Rear-Admiral  Farragut 05 

Alajor-Gen.  McClellan 100 

Major-Gen.  Halleck 113 

Major-Gen.  Pope 139 

Major-General  P.  Kearny. . . . 149 

Major-Gen.  Rosecrans 169 

Major-Gen.  0.  M.  Mitchel. . . . 177 

Major-Gen.  Foster 189 

Rear-Admiral  D.  D.  Porter. . . 210 

Major-Gen.  Hooker 223 

Major-Gen.  Sedgwick 237 

Major-Gen.  Stoneman 215 

Major-Gcu.  McPherson 251 

Major-Gen.  Meade 275 


To  face  Pago 


Major-Gen.  Howard 283 

Major-Gen.  Hancock 289 

Major-Gen.  Q.  A.  Gillmore.  . . 300 

Major-Gen.  G.  Granger 352 

Brig. -Gen.  Wadsworth 411 

Major-Gen.  liOgan 50 1 

Bvt  -Major-Gcn.  Kilpatrick  . . 622 

Major-Gen.  Schofield 660 

Major-Gen.  I).  S.  Stanley....  664 

Major-Gen.  Slocum 570 

Major-Gen.  Geary 674 

Major-Gen.  Terry 587 

Bvt.-Major-Gen.  Custer 607 

Major-Gen.  J.  C.  Havis 615 

Major-Gen.  E.  0.  C.  Ord 638 

Major-Gen.  E.  R.  S Canby.  . . 649 
Bvt.-Major-Gen.  J.  11.  Wilson  658 


PORTRAITS  OF  REBEL  OFFICERS. 

(10.) 

General  Robert  E Lee 

Lieut. -General  T.  .1.  .lackson 

General  Joseph  E.  Johnston 

Lieut. -General  James  Longstrect 

General  G.  T.  Beauregard 

Lieut. -General  R.  S.  Ewell 

Lieut.-General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart 

General  Braxton  Bragg 

Lieut.-General  William  J.  Hardee 

IJeut. -General  A.  P.  Hill 


FORT  SUMTER. 

April  12,  1861. 

UnionisU^  under  Major  Robert  Anderson^  80.  Killed^  none  ; woundedy  5 ; misf- 
iuQy  none. 

RieunionistSy  under  General  Renuregnrdy  7,000.  Killed  and  wo^indedy  unknovm 
— none  reported  by  rebel  authorities ; missing y none. 

The  political  contentions  whicli,  for  several  years,  had  agitated 
the  northern  and  southern  sections  of  the  American  Republic,  at 
length  culminated  in  war  in  the  very  State  which  had  been  the 
source  of  so  much  of  civil  discord.  The  threats  of  rebellion  and 
secession  which,  like  a thunder-cloud,  had  menaced  the  peace  of 
the  Union,  now  burst  into  a storm  of  violence  in  South  Carolina. 
A small  garrison,  some  eighty  men  in  all,  true  to  the  flag  of  their 
country,  under  their  heroic  commander,  M.ajor  Robert  Anderson, 
held  Fort  Moultrie,  defending  the  harbor  of  Charleston.  On  the 
night  of  December  2Gth,  1800,  Major  Anderson,  anticipating  the 
designs  of  the  enemy,  removed,  for  better  security,  to  Fort  Sumter, 
He  commenced  to  place  the  fort  in  a condition  for  active  defense, 


24 


Fort  Sumter. 


preparatory  to  tlio  attack  which  tlireateneti.  him  from  all  bkIcs  of 
tho  harbor. 

On  the  11th  of  January  a formal  demand  was  made  for  the  sur- 
render of  the  fort,  by  Governor  Pickens;  which  was  a positive 
declaration  of  war  by  South  Carolina  against  the  United  States. 
But,  notwithstanding  the  threatening  nature  of  the  summons.  Major 
Anderson,  true  to  his  trust,  refused  to  comply  with  it ; and  events 
remained  in  abeyance  until  tho  12th  of  April,  1801.  On  this  ever- 
memorable  day,  at  four  o’clock  in  the  morning,  tho  first  gun  which 
ushered  in  civil  war  was  fired  from  James  Island.  The  bombard- 
ment thus  begun  was  continued  during  the  day  and  a great  portion 
of  tho  night.  On  the  morning  of  tlie  13th,  at  early  dawn,  the  attack 
was  renewed  with  increased  violence ; but  was  replied  to  with 
determined  spirit  and  desperate  gallantry  by  the  heroic  garrison. 
At  length  the  exposed  wood-work  within  the  fort  was  fired  by  the 
enemy’s  hot  shot,  and  the  advancing  flames  threatening  to  explode 
the  magazine.  Major  Anderson,  on  the  14th  of  April,  negotiated  an 
honorable  surrender.  Tho  next  day,  he,  with  his  garrison  of  eighty 
men,  embarked  for  New  Yoi'k. 

Such,  briefly,  is  tho  history  of  tho  bombardment  and  surrender 
of  Fort  Sumter ; an  event  which,  from  its  consequences,  will  live 
forever  in  the  recollection  of  mankind. 


It  is  our  purjiose  to  trace  succinctly,  but  accurately,  tho  Battles 
of  the  Behellion,  from  the  first  gun  tliat  was  fired  on  the  devoted 
garrison  of  Sumter  to  the  last  whose  echoes  linger  in  tho  cars  of 
our  noble  army  and  navy.  History  will  doubtless  present  diflTercnt 
versions  of  this  stupendous  war,  accordingly  as  it  is  written  from  im- 
perfect glimpses  of  passing  events,  amid  the  smoke  and  roar  of  bat- 
tle, or  from  the  more  comprehensive  views  afforded  in  the  clearer 
light  of  coining  years;  or.  on  the  other  hand,  as  it  may  be  dictated 
by  jiartisan  [uejudico  and  selfish  animosity,  or  by  a noble  patriot- 
ism and  unswerving  devotion  to  truth.  It  is  for  us  impartially  to 
record  the  events  as  they  have  occurred — to  catch  tlie  gleam  of 
battle  as  it  bursts  from  the  mouth  of  the  cannon,  and  to  transfer  it 
to  the  living  page;  as  the  faithful  artist  catches  the  momentary 
e.\[)ression  which  lights  the  human  countenance,  and  deiacts  it  on 
the  glowing  canvas.  In  the  long  vista  of  canqiaigns  extending 
over  valleys,  mountains,  rivers,  and  across  States,  will  be  brought 
vividly  before  us  many  a heroic  action,  many  a desperately  fought 
field,  aikl  many  a glorious  record  of  triumphant  victory. 


25 


.Progress  of  the  Rebellion. 


PKOGRESS  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

Tnn  shot  which  fired  the  walls  of  Fort  Sumter  set  a-hlaze  the 
•whole  Northern  heart.  The  explosion  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston 
reverberated  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  The 
Legislatures  of  the  loyal  States  voted  appropriations  of  men  and 
money.  The  President  of  the  United  States  issued  his  jiroclama- 
tion  for  75,000  men,  aecorapanied  with  the  command  to  the  reb- 
els to  return  to  their  allegiance  within  twenty  days.  The  immedi- 
ate rush  to  arms,  of  Northern  soldiery,  was  but  a mere  wave  upon 
the  rising  tide  of  hostility  to  the  rebellion,  to  be  increased,  as  its 
billows  extended,  to  millions  of  men.  An  extra  session  of  Congress 
was  called.  The  Legislature  of  Now  York  voted  30,000  men  and 
$3,000,000  of  money.  The  people  rose  with  the  rising  emergencies 
of  the  Government.  Monster  meetings  were  held  throughout  the 
North.  Banks,  corporations,  and  individuals  sent  in  their  contri- 
butions for  the  public  defense.  Previous  to,  and  during  these 
measures  of,  security  in  the  North,  the  South  was  maturing  its 
plans  of  rebellion. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  18G0,  the  convention  of  South  Caro- 
lina had  passed  a secession  ordinance,  followed  on  the  24th  by  a 
“declaration  of  causes.”  Tn  the  mean  time  her  members  of  Con- 
gre.ss  resigned.  On  the  25th  she  adopted  resolutions  in  favor  of 
a confederate  government. 

These  acts  of  open  rebellion  were  followed  by  more  aggressive 
deeds  of  public  violence.  The  custom-houses,  post-ofEces,  arsenals, 
and  forts  -were  seized. 

The  rebellion  thus  inaugurated  in  South  Carolina  was  carried 
forward  by  similar  measures  in  other  Southern  States.  On  the 
loth  and  11th  of  January,  1861,  Florida  and  Alabama,  re.spect- 
ivcly,  passed  secession  ordinances.  On  the  19th,  their  example 
was  followed  by  Georgia;  on  the  26th,  by  Louisiana;  and,  on  the 
7th  of  February,  by  Texas. 

The  States  thus  seceding  assembled  in  a confederate  convention 
at  Montgomery  on  the  4th  of  February.  The  hopes  of  peace  still 
lingered  in  the  hearts  of  many  patriotic  men  both  in  the  North  and 
South,  and  these  sought  an  expression  in  a peace  convention  which 
met  at  Washington  on  the  same  day  that  witnessed  the  assera- 
hling  of  the  rebellious  States. 

The  Southern  Convention  completed  its  organization  as  a confed- 
erate i)ower  by  electing,  on  the  9th  of  February,  Jetferson  Davis 


26  Progress  of  the  llchellion. 

and  Alexander  IT.  Stephens  as  provisional  President  and  Vice- 
President. 

While  these  events  Avere  progressing,  the  volunteer  forces  called 
for  hy  the  President  Avere  marshaling  to  arms.  With  the  seiz- 
ure of  public  property  throughout  the  South,  the  authorities  at 
Washington  became  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  the  national  capital; 
and  thither  the  Union  forces  directed  their  march.  Already  the 
navy  yard  at  Gosport,  Va.,  Avas  set  in  flames,  and  several  ve.ssels 
of  Avar  Averc  scuttled  and  burned  to  save  them  from  the  grasp  of 
the  enemy.  Virginia,  on  one  side  of  the  Potomac,  and  ^faryland,  on 
tlie  other,  held  the  ca[)ital,  like  an  isthmus  between  two  seas, 
beaten  by  the  billows  of  open  rebellion  on  the  South  and  the  waves 
of  secret  faction  on  the  North.  To  reach  the  threatened  point, 
Baltimore  must  be  passed  ; and  Baltimore  Avas  the  great  voloano 
under  Avhich  smoldered  the  fires  of  revolt.  The  moment  for  out- 
break had  arrived. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  Regiment  was 
passing  through  the  city.  Singularly  enough,  it  Avas  the  anniver- 
sary of  the  battle  of  Lexington.  The  men  numbered  about  1,000, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  E.  P.  Jones.  Accompanying  the 
train  which  brought  the  Massachusetts  Regiment  Avere  some  1,200 
unarmed  men  from  Philadelphia,  commanded  by  General  Small. 
The  Avant  of  precaution  for  the  safety  of  the  latter  shoAvs  how 
slight  Avas  the  anticipation  of  danger  in  the  neighboring  city. 

The  cars  reached  Baltimore ; but  Avere  intercepted  in  their  prog- 
ress from  the  depOt,  and  several  detachments  of  men  were  cut  off. 
It  Avas  decided  to  inarch  the  Massachusetts  troops  through  the  city. 
While  consulting  upon  this  point,  the  angry  croAvd  Avhich  had  op- 
posed the  passage  of  the  cars  began  to  groAV  more  fierce,  and  to  in- 
crease in  numbers.  The  stormy  elements  Avhich  before  had  lain 
dormant,  awaiting  but  an  impulse  from  Avithout  to  gather  in  tumult- 
Aious  wrath,  iioav  began  to  assemble  in  dark  masses,  pouring  in 
through  street  after  street,  until  collected  in  the  mingled  surging 
throng  of  an  infuriated  mob.  For  a brief  interval,  a [)ainful  still- 
ness prevailed,  broken  only  by  the  occasional  shout  of  a boy,  or 
the  Avhizzing  of  a missile  flung  through  the  air  by  some  sturdy 
hand  ; but  it  Avas  the  stillness  which  presages  the  coming  tempest. 

The  gallant  Sixth  at  length  took  up  its  march.  The  old  stones 
that  had  echoed  to  tlie  feet  of  the  brave  defenders  of  Baltimore,  in 
181L,  now  resounded  with  the  tread  of  patriots  hastening  to  the 
defense  of  the  national  capital. 


Progress  of  the  Rebellion. 


27 


But  tho  storm  burst  upon  their  devoted  heads.  The  voices  of 
the  moh,  that  for  a wliile  had  heen  smothered  in  silence  or  mut- 
tered only  sullen  threats,  suddenly  broke  forth  in  a prolonged 
tumultuous  yell.  The  national  flag,  previously  honored  hy  the  en- 
thusiastic huzzas  of  a patriotic  multitude,  and  which,  in  former 
years,  floating  triumphantly  in  battle  over  the  citadels  of  tho 
“ Jfonuiuental  City,”  had  received  tho  Ijuical  bai)ti.sm  of  the  Star- 
Spangled  Banner,  w.as  now  insulted  and  leveled  in  tho  dust,  before 
the  eyes  of  those  who  had  risen  to  uphold  it.  Tho  defiant  cry  of 
the  mob  rose  to  shouts  for  Jefferson  Davis.  The  missiles  that  at 
first  came  one  by  one  now  flew  around  like  the  scattered  fragments 
hurled  hy  a volcano.  Mingled  with  these  and  with  the  wild  shouts 
of  desperate  men  and  reckless  youth,  were  heard  tho  quick  report 
of  tho  revolver  and  tho  frequent  discharge  of  musketry. 

Amid  all  this  violence  and  tumult,  and  above  it,  in  command- 
ing tones,  “ Forward  the  Sixth  !”  was  distinctly  heard.  Onward 
they  march  regardless  of  the  taunting  shouts  for  Jeff  Davis! — 
Down  with  the  Yankees  l—IIurrah  for  the  Southern  Confederacy  I 
Through  alternate  showers  of  paving-stones,  brickbats,  and  other 
missiles  the  soldiery  advanced,  beleaguered  by  their  assailants, 
firing  hut  singly  into  the  mob,  until  they  reached  Gay  Street, 
whore  they  discharged  a number  of  shots.  Tho  overwhelming 
force  which  now  i)rcs.scd  n[)on  them  urged  them  to  a run  until 
they  reached  Commerce  Street;  where,  several  of  them  being 
knocked  down,  they  fired  a volley  that  told  fatally  upon  tho  crowd. 
'Wheeling  and  hastening  on,  they  were  again  attacked  from  ware- 
houses and  other  points,  with  more  disastrous  effect,  several  of  the 
soldiers  being  wounded  and  one  killed.  But  still  they  pushed  on, 
keeping  up  a running  fire  upon  the  pursuing  mob  until  they  reached 
the  dep6t,  whence  they  proceeded  to  Washington. 

The  Pennsylvanians,  who  were  unarmed,  remained  in  the  cars 
at  the  Baltimore  dep6t.  All  attempts  to  pass  through  tho  cit}' 
being  deemed  impracticable,  preparations  were  made  by  General 
Small  for  their  safe  removal.  While  these  were  in  progress,  the 
cars  were  attacked  by  a portion  of  the  exultant  mob  returning  from 
their  pursuit  of  the  ifassachusetts  Regiment.  Several  of  the  men 
were  injured,  but  the  escape  was  finally  secured  without  a serious 
conflict. 


28 


Philippi,  Va. 


PHILIPPI,  VA. 

Junk  8,  1861. 

VnionistSy  under  Colonels  Kelly  and  Ixuider^  5,000.  Killed,,  2 ; toounded^  2 ; mUs^ 
in  (7,  2. 

HisunionistSy  under  Col,  Porterjield^  mtmhers  not  rejiorted.  Killed,,  16;  ^cound* 
ed^unkno^on ; 7niswn^,  26. 

In  conformity  with  our  plan  we  proceed  to  narrate  the  progress 
of  battles  in  the  order  of  their  succession,  whicli  carries  us,  in 
rapid  transition,  from  one  portion  of  tlie  country  to  another,  and 
brings  eacli  action  vividly  before  the  eye  as  it  transpires. 

The  most  important  eng.agement,  .after  the  fighting  in  the  streets 
of  Baltimore,  tlie  occupation  of  Anna[)olis  and  Alexandria,  and  the 
attacks  of  the  enemy’s  batteries  on  Aquia  Creek,  was  that  at  Phil- 
ippi, in  Western  Virginia,  on  the  3d  of  .June,  1861. 

The  Union  forces,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier- General  . 
Thomas  A.  Morris,  wore  in  the  possession  of  Grafton.  The  rebels 
were  at  Philij>pi,  under  Colonel  Porterfield.  Having  determined 
to  send  out  .an  expedition  to  surprise  them,  it  was  organized  in 
two  divisions:  one,  consisting  of  the  First  Virginia  Regiment,  and 
the  Ninth  and  Sixteenth  Ohio,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Kelly;  the  other,  of  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  Indiana,  the  Four- 
teenth Ohio,  and  a section  of  artillery,  under  the  combined  com- 
mand of  Colonels  Dumont  and  Lander.  They  set  out  on  their 
inarch  in  a terrific  storm,  through  an  unexplored  and  uneven  coun- 
try, on  the  night  of  the  2d  of  .lune. 

At  four  o’clock  in  the  morning.  Lander,  who  w'ns  to  attack  the 
enemy  in  front,  took  up  his  position  acros.s  the  river  on  a hill  com- 
manding the  town.  Kelly  was  to  attaeJi  them  in  rear. 

The  plan  matured  at  headquarters  failed  in  its  execution.  Kelly 
was  impeded  in  his  march  of  twenty-two  miles  by  roads  rendered 
almost  impassable  by  the  darkness  of  the  night  and  the  violence 
of  the  storm.  On  arriving,  he  found  the  town  aroused  instead 
of  sui’prised,  and  Lander  already  engaged  with  the  enemy.  To 
add  to  the  discomfiture  caused  by  the  Lateness  of  his  force,  it 
came  up  in  the  wrong  direction.  Recovering  from  this  error,  how- 
ever, it  charged  upon  the  enemy’s  encampments  with  improved 
promptness  .and  great  gallantry.  Lander’s  batteries  hud  in  the 
mean  time  done  terrible  execution.  Suddenly,  while  Kelly  was 
pressing  them  closely,  he  came  down  the  hill  like  a thunderbolt, 
and  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  In  this  action  Colonel 


liig  Bcthd. 


29 


Kelly  was  severely  wounded.  Sixteen  of  the  rebels  were  killed ; 
several  wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  and  a largo  quantity  of  camp 
equipage,  arms,  etc.,  were  captured. 


BIG  BETHEL. 

June  10,  IROl. 

VnionhU^  under  Brigadier-Oeneral  3,000.  Killed^  wounded^  34; 

missing^  6. 

DifixenionisU^  under  Mn^or- General  Magruder^  2,200.  Killed^  xcaunded^  and 
uncer  tain — numbers  variously  reported  at  from  8 to  150. 

This  engagement,  tlie  first  in  the  field,  took  place  on  the  10th  of 
June.  Big  Betliel  is  about  ten  miles  norlli  of  Newport  News,  on 
the  road  from  Hampton  to  Yorlctown.  A body  of  rebel  troops  sta- 
tioned at  Little  Bethel,  eight  miles  from  Newport  News,  had  caused 
much  annoyance  to  the  Union  forces  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
eral Butler.  On  the  night  of  Juno  9th,  an  expedition  of  3,000 
men,  under  Brigadier-General  Pierce,  was  sent  out  from  Fortress 
Monroe  to  dislodge  them.  He  had  dispatched  several  regiments  to 
surprise  the  enemy  at  Little  Bethel.  This  movement  was  in  part 
successful,  and  the  expedition  proceeded  on  their  march.  One  of 
those  untoward  accidents  now  occurnal  which  sometimes  turn  the 
chances  of  victory  into  a defeat,  and  arouse  instead  of  alarm  an 
enemy.  Colonel  Bendix  mistaking,  in  the  darkness  which  sur- 
rounded tltem,  the  advance  of  Colonel  Townsend’s  command  for 
the  enemy’s,  opened  upon  it  a heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry, 
which  was  quickly  returned.  Tliis  fatal  mistake  resulted  not  only 
in  the  killing  and  wounding  of  .several  Union  soldiers,  but  in  arous- 
ing the  wdiole  rebel  camp.  The  enemy,  retiring  from  Little  Bethel, 
joined  their  main  force,  consisting  of  over  2,000  men,  which  was 
strongly  int/enclied  at  Great  Bethel.  'Without  a knowledge  of  the 
strength  of  the  latter,  and  without  reconnoitring  their  position,  it 
was  decided  to  attack  them  in  their  stronghold. 

An  advance  was  made  in  the  morning  at  ten  o’clock.  M.asked 
batteries  swept  the  road  .all  along  the  line  of  march.  Lieutenant 
Greble  w.as  ordered  up,  with  his  three  j^jeces  of  artillery,  directly 
in  front  of  the  enemy’s  works.  Unsup])ortcd  exce[)t  hy  his  gun- 
ners, this  gallant  young  oiliccr  was  exposed  to  their  destruetivo 
fire.  Buthravery  alone  can  not  re[)air  the  errors  of  incompctency, 
and  he  sealed  with  his  devoted  life  his  patiiotism  and  daring  love 

2 


30 


Disaster  at  Vienna,  Va. 


of  liis  profession.  Liewtcniint  Greble’s  men  falling  around  liiin, 
and  lie  himself  struck  down  by  a cannon-ball,  bis  guns  Avero  with- 
drawn from  tlieir  position.  The  infantry  columns  made  gallant 
but  futile  attempts,  by  different  approaches,  to  storm  the  works. 
These  aefenses  were  jirotected  in  front  by  a deep  stream  and  a 
marsh,  and  at  other  points  by  a ditch.  Colonel  Blenker’s  regi- 
ment and  the  Zouaves  charged  up  to  them  repeatedly,  in  the  face 
of  the  batteries.  These  brave  men  were  gradually  flanking  the 
position  when,  it  is  said,  the  order  to  retreat  was  given. 

Among  the  killed  in  this  battle  Avas  Major  Theodore  \Vinthro|), 
an  accomplished  volunteer  officer,  Avho  in  times  of  peace  adorned 
the  profession  of  the  pen,  as,  in  Avar,  he  lionored  that  of  the  sword. 


DISASTER  AT  VIENNA,  VA. 


JUHK  IT,  18C1. 

UnionistSy  under  General  Scliencky  697,  Killedy  8 ; woundedy  12 ; missingy  24 

On  this  occasion  a regiment  of  Ohio  trcojis,  under  command  of 
Colonel  McCook,  met  with  a disaster  at  the  village  of  Vienna. 

This  village  is  situated  fifteen  miles  from  Alexandria,  on  the  Lou- 
don and  Hampshire  Railroad.  General  McDoAvell,  hearing  that 
the  rebels  intended  to  destroy  the  bridges  on  that  road,  ordered 
Brigadier-General  Schenck  to  protect  them.  Colonel  McCook 
Avas  dispatched  Avith  a force  of  G97  men,  upon  that  duty.  Pro- 
ceeding in  cars,  he  left  detachments  on  his  Avay  to  protect  the  road 
and  bridges,  until  ho  disposed  of  all  but  275  of  his  men.  In  round- 
ing a curve  near  Vienna  a masked  battery  opened  upon  him.  The 
fire  was  destructive,  the  men  being  ex[)osed  on  platform  cars. 
General  Schenck  reported  the  details  of  this  disaster  to  General 
McDowell,  commending  the  coolness  and  courage  of  his  men  and 
officers  under  these  defenseless  circumstances,  and  speaking  of  their 
subsequent  withdrawal,  in  safety,  after  the  casualties  recorded. 


HooneviUe. — Camp  Cole. — Falling  Waters.  31 
BATTLE  OF  BOONEVILLE,  MO. 

June  17,  1G61. 

under  {general  Lyon^  1,500.  Killed.,  2;  \counded.,  9 ; vxifmin^.,  20. 
DUunii^nifiU.,  under  <jren,  Kidcey  2,000.  Killedy  25;  'icoundedy  60;  miseingy  15. 

On  tlie  15th  of  June,  General  L3’on,  finding  that  Jackson,  tlio 
Governor  of  Missouri,  had  fled  from  Jefferson  to  Boone ville,  a dis- 
tance of  forty-eight  miles,  determined  to  attack  him.  Tlie  rebel 
General  Price  was  stationed  at  the  latter  place,  with  several  thou- 
sand men.  Leaving  a small  garrison  in  Jefferson,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Boernstein,  General  Lj'on  started  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy.  After  a sharp  engagement  he  routed  his  forces. 


CAMP  COLE. 

June  IS,  ISGl. 

UnionlstSy  under  Captain.  Coohey  800.  Killed.,  25;  tconiidedy  52;  inissingy  23, 
DisunionietSy  under  Gox>,  Jack'Son^,  400.  Killedy  4 ; woundedy  20 ; misHngy  0. 

On  the  18th,  the  Union  Home  Guards,  under  Captain  Cooke, 
stationed  at  Camp  Cole,  were  surprised  by  a body  of  rebels  from 
AVarsaw. 


FALLING  WATERS,  VA. 

July  2,  1861. 

XTnionistSy  under  General  Pattersony  15,000.  Killed,  8;  xcounded,  10;  muinngy  0. 
DisxLnionieUy  under  Gexural  dohnetony  6,000.  Killedy  81;  woundedy  50;  rnisH- 
inQy  10. 

The  rebel  General  Johnston  evacuated  Harper’s  Ferrj'  on  the 
19th  of  June.  General  Patterson  did  not  occupy  it,  but  pro- 
ceeded up  the  Maryland  side  of  the  river  about  twenty -five  miles 
to  Williamsport,  where  he  crossed  into  A^irginia.  A portion  of 
General  Johnston’s  force  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Falling  AA'aters,  at 
which  point  they  were  attacked  by  the  Union  forces,  at  nine  o’clock 
on  the  morning  of  July  2d.  After  a slight  resistance  they  retired, 
joining  their  main  force  at  Bunker  Hill. 


32 


Carthage^  Mo. — Rich  Mountain. 


CARTHAGE,  MO. 

July  5,  1S61. 

VnionintH.^  iimfer  Colonel  S'njel,  1,600.  Killetlj  18  ; ^oomidedy  81. 

DiminionUtHy  under  Price  and  Jackson.,  8,500,  Killed  and  wounded^  about  80  ; 
prisoners,  45. 

On  tho  2(1  of  July  Colonel  Sigel  arrived  at  Neosho,  and  learning 
that  the  rebel  generals  Price,  Ravage,  and  Jackson,  had  united 
their  forces  at  Dry  Fork  Creek,  eight  miles  from  Carthage,  he  de- 
termined to  attack  them.  The  fight  commenced  at  about  half- 
past nine,  in  an  open  prairie,  three  miles  beyond  Dry  Fork.  The 
enemy’s  cavalry  having  attempted  to  outflank  the  Federal  troops, 
the  latter  fell  back  upon  their  baggage  trains,  to  prevent  their  cap- 
ture, Colonel  Sigel  in  the  mean  time  changing  his  front.  Retreat- 
ing to  Dry  Fork  Creek,  they  soon  encountered  a formidable  rebel 
force  of  cavalry  concentrated  to  cut  them  off.  Rut  a cross  Are  of 
canister  and  shrapnel,  thrown  violently  into  their  ranks,  scattered 
them  in  wild  confusion.  The  Federal  troops  continued  tlicir  retreat 
toward  Carthage.  Night  was  falling  as  tho  retreating  army  passed 
through  Carthage,  its  shades  covering  tho  rebel  cavalry  as  it  with- 
drew on  the  Mount  Vernon  road.  From  Carthago  a forced  march 
was  made  to  Sarcoxie,  a distance  of  twelve  or  fourteen  miles. 
After  a brief  delay,  the  retreat  was  continued  to  Mount  Vernon, 
eighteen  miles  east. 

In  this  gallant  action  Sigel  showed  masterly  skill  as  a soldier 
and  commander. 




RICH  MOUNTAIN. 

July  12,  1861. 

Unionists,  under  General  McClellan,  7,000.  Killed,  11 ; wounded,  85 ; miss~ 
ing,  0. 

Disunionists,  wider  Colonel  Pegram,  5,000.  Killed,  140;  wounded  and  miss- 
ing, over  800. 

The  rebels  under  Colonel  Pegram  occupied  a strongly  intrenched 
camp,  on  the  western  slopes  of  Rich  Mountain,  .about  two  miles 
west  of  Beverly.  Colonel  Rosecrans,  with  1,600  men,  was  ordered 
by  General  McClellan  to  advance,  by  a circuitous  route,  upon 
this  point.  With  the  main  division,  he  moved  on  Laurel  Hill, 
the  principal  camp  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Roseciaans’  movement, 
though  intended  as  a surprise,  was  discovered  by  the  foe,  who 
made  preparations  to  receive  him.  The  attack,  however,  was 


CarracJc's  Ford,  Fa. — FuU  Fun.  33 

made  with  great  success,  tlio  enemy  after  an  action  of  forty  min- 
utes flying  in  confusion.  Their  cannon,  supplies,  ami  equipments 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victorious  Unionists,  with  a loss  of  140 
killed  and  300  wounded  and  prisoners ; while  600  of  those  who 
escaped,  subsequently  surrendered. 


CAEEICK’S  FOED,  VA. 

July  13,  1861. 

Unionists.,  under  General  McGleUan^  2,000,  Killed,,  2;  wounded,,  12;  miss- 

in(7,  0. 

DisunioiUsts^  7irid^r  General  Oarneit^  3,000,  Killed^  20;  wounded^  10;  miss- 
50. 

The  battle  of  Garrick’s  Ford  was  a brilliant  sequel  to  the  complete 
victory  achieved  at  Rich  Mountain  the  day  previous.  General 
Garnett  had  retreated  from  Laurel  Hill,  and  attempted  to  reach 
St.  George.  General  McClellan,  however,  had  so  skillfully  disposed 
his  forces  as  to  effectually  prevent  this.  A detachment  under  Cap- 
tain Benham  was  sent  in  rapid  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy. 
Joining  General  Morris’  division,  they  encountered  General  Gar- 
nett’s forces  at  C.arrick’s  Ford.  Hero  a severe  action  ensued,  re- 
sulting in  the  death  of  General  Garnett  with  eight  of  his  com- 
mand, and  in  the  wounding  of  ten  others,  besides  the  capture  of  a 
large  number  of  prisoners.  The  Union  loss  was  two  killed  and 
twelve  wounded. 

The  successful  operations  of  the  Union  army,  led  by  McClellan, 
Rosecrans,  Lander,  Benham,  and  others,  sustained  by  their  brave 
eorarades,  effectually  dispersed  the  hosts  of  rebellion  in  north- 
western Virginia. 


BULL  EUU. 

July  21, 1861. 

VnionUtK,  under  General  Irwin  McDowell,  18,000.  Killed,  481 ; wounded,  1,011 ; 
mU/dng,  1,216. 

DieunionUU,  under  General  Beauregard,  27,000.  Killed,  269  ; wounded,  1,488  ; 
missing,  not  reported. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  previous  to  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
comprised  three  grand  divisions,  as  f dlows  : the  first,  in  Wash- 
ington, commanded  by  General  Mansfield,  the  second  by  General 


Hull  Hun. 


34 


ifcDowel],  whoso  left  extended  to  Alexanclrifi,  and  Ids  rigid  on 
eitlier  side  of  tlio  Potomac,  toward  the  left  of  General  Patterson, 
who  commanded  a division  in  the  vicinity  of  Williamsport  and 
Martinsbnrg. 

On  the  20th  of  Jnly,  General  Beauregard  was  at  Manassas  Junc- 
tion and  its  neighborhood  with  an  army  of  21,833  men,  increased 
on  the  day  of  the  battle  to  27,000. 

The  order  for  the  advance  of  the  Union  army  was  issued  on  the 
8th  of  Jnly,  bnt  it  was  not  until  the  15th  that  the  preparations 
were  so  far  completed  as  to  enable  it  to  move  from  its  camps  oppo- 
site Washington.  It  took  up  its  line  of  inarch  in  five  divisions, 
commanded  respectively  as  follows  : first  division  by  Brigadier- 
General  Daniel  Tyler;  second.  Colonel  David  Hunter ; third.  Col- 
onel S.  P.  Ileintzolman  ; fourth  (reserves).  Brigadier- General  F. 
ItunyQn;  fiftli.  Colonel  Dixon  S.  Miles. 

The  army  in  all  numbered  55,000  men,  altliongh  the  force  actu- 
ally engaged  is  said  not  to  have  exceeded  18,000. 

The  Union  troops  advanced  over  four  different  roads : General 
Tyler’s  division  over  the  Georgetown  road.  Colonel  Hunter  over 
the  Leesburg  and  Centrevillo  roads,  and  the  remaining  columns 
over  the  Little  River  turnpike  and  the  old  Braddock  road. 

The  enemy  occupied  Fairfax  Court  House,  twelve  miles  from 
the  Potomac ; Centrevillo,  ten  miles  beyond  ; Bull  Run,  four  miles 
from  the  latter;  and  Manassas  Junction,  about  seven  miles  distant. 

The  advancing  army  concentrated  in  the  vicinity  of  Centreville. 
Three  miles  from  this  village.  General  Tyler,  on  the  18th,  made  a 
partial  reconnoissanco  of  the  Bull  Run  valley.  Ho  advanced  toward 
the  crossing  of  the  Bull  Run  at  Blackburn’s  Ford,  where,  encoun- 
tering a body  of  the  enemy,  a severe  engagement  occurred. 

The  discovery  of  the  enemy’s  force  caused  the  Union  troops  to 
retreat  behind  the  cover  of  their  battery  until  joined  by  the  third 
brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  Sherman,  and  the  Sixty-ninth  New 
York  Regiment,  led  by  Colonel  Corcoran.  The  contest  was  re- 
newed and  continued  for  about  an  hour,  when  the  purposes  of  the 
reconnoissance  being  accomplished,  General  McDowell  ordered  a 
retreat. 

The  affair  at  Blackburn’s  Ford  showed  that  the  enemy  was  too 
strong  at  that  point  for  the  Union  army  to  force  a passage,  in  order 
to  confront  his  strong  position  at  Manassas,  without  great  loss. 
The  stone  bridge,  over  which  the  Warrenton  road  crossed  Bull 
Run,  to  the  west  of  Centreville,  was  defended  by  a battery  in 


"II"  .(  /:„  niCL/.tlW:^('’  .V. 


JSull  liu7l. 


37 


position,  and  tlic  road  on  Ids  side  of  tlic  stream  impeded  by  a 
lieavy  abattis,  Tlie  only  alternative,  tlierefore,  was  to  turn  the  ex- 
treme left  of  Ids  position.  An  undefended  ford  lay  about  three 
miles  above  the  bridge,  and  another  one,  which  was  defended,  be- 
tween it  and  the  bridge.  It  was  determined,  after  crossing  the 
upper  ford,  to  get  into  the  rear  of  the  forces  guarding  the  bridge 
and  the  lower  ford.  After  occupying  the  Warrcnton  road,  west  of 
the  bridge,  it  was  a part  of  the  plan  to  destroy  tlie  railroad  at  or 
near  Gainesville.  Thus  the  communication  between  the  enemy’s 
forces  at  Manassas  and  those  in  the  valley  of  Virginia,  before  Win- 
chester, which  had  been  held  in  check  by  Major-General  Patterson, 
was  to  be  cut  off. 

General  Tyler  was  directed  to  move,  with  three  of  his  brigades, 
on  the  Warrenton  road,  and  open  on  the  enemy’s  batteries;  Hunter, 
to  move  after  him,  and  to  get  behind  the  enemy.  Ileintzelman  was 
to  follow  Hunter.  Miles  was  to  be  in  reserve  on  the  Centerville 
ridge.  The  advanced  regiment  of  Painyon’s  division,  the  fourth, 
was  about  seven  miles  in  the  rear  of  Centreville. 

To  avoid  the  excessive  heat,  the  divisions  were  ordered  to  inarch 
at  half-past  two  o’clock  a.m.  An  unfortunate  delay  in  the  first 
division  getting  out  of  its  camp  hindered  the  marching  of  the  other 
divisions  two  or  three  hours. 

Tlic  passage  of  the  Bull  Run,  at  the  stone  bridge,  was  attempted 
by  Tyler’s  division  at  half-past  two  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
21st.  The  signal  gun  indicating  the  hour  of  attack  was  fired  at 
half-past  six.  While  the  plans  of  the  Union  army  were  being 
carried  out,  the  enemy  was  massing  his  opposing  columns,  in 
splendid  array.  The  crossing  of  the  second  division  at  Sudley’s 
Springs  was  the  signal  for  the  great  opening  of  the  combat.  Mus- 
ketry and  heavy  shot  began  to  pour  from  out  the  clouds  of  smoko 
that  gathered  with  the  storm  of  battle.  Now  the  quick  lightning, 
and  then  the  deep  peals  of  thunder,  showed  how  the  advancing 
columns,  bearing  the  bright  banner  of  the  Union,  met  the  fierce 
outbursts  of  the  storm.  The  enemy’s  batteries  kept  up  a rain  of 
fire  all  along  the  approaching  Union  lines.  But  soon  the  Federal 
cannon  echo  back  their  defiance.  The  exposed  position  of  the 
Union  forces  now  told  fearfully  against  them.  General  Hunter 
fell,  severely  wounded,  and  several  other  gallant  leaders  met  a 
similar  fate,  or  sank  forever  to  rest;  while  Burnside  and  Sjiraguo 
liad  their  horses  shot  from  under  them.  Now  the  Seventy- 
first,  New  York  Zouaves,  and  the  Alabama  First,  challenge  each 


38 


Hull  Run. 


other  to  mortal  combat.  Tho  Alabamians  deploy  to  charge  the 
Zouaves  upon  tho  brow  of  a hill.  Their  banners  wave  aloft,  amid 
defiant  shouts  and  roars  of  cannon.  Tho  Alabamians  rush  to  tho 
charge.  With  fearful  volleys  of  musketry,  grape,  and  canister  the 
Zouaves  break  the  wave  of  valor  that  is  rising  to  the  crest  of  the 
hill,  and  drive  tho  foe  as  mist  before  tho  storm.  The  Alabamians 
fougbt  with  desperate  courage,  leaving  sixty  of  their  number  dead 
upon  the  field.  The  Zouaves,  in  their  successful  resistance  of  this 
attack,  were  not  without  their  blood-stained  mementoes.  Nino- 
loen  of  their  minibor  were  killed,  and  about  thirty  woundeil.  At 
a later  period  of  the  fight  their  valor  was  less  persistent,  liegard- 
less  of  discipline,  they  broke,  and,  for  tho  time  being,  tho  field  of 
their  recent  exploits  was  turned  to  a scene  of  foul  disorder. 

In  tho  changing  panorama  of  battle,  in  which  prominent  figures 
and  moving  masses  of  men  were  now  seen,  and  now  lost  to  view, 
there  appeared  alternately,  in  grand  relief,  the  Sixty-ninth  Irish,  tho 
Scotch,  tho  New  York  Thirteenth,  and  the  Wisconsin  regiments, 
marching  proudly  on.  Tho  artillery  of  the  enemy  was  pouring  in 
its  deadly  fire.  Griffin’s  battery  was  within  speaking  distance. 
Onward  they  move  to  its  support.  The  undulating  landsca[)e  now 
hides  their  receding  forms  ; while  above  them  is  dimly  seen  amid 
the  storm  of  battle  tho  stars  of  their  mingled  banners,  like  tho  ra- 
diant lights  which  gleam  through  a cloudy  sky.  One  blast  of  tho 
cannon  sends  forth  its  heavy  volumes,  another  and  another,  until 
tho  whole  atmosphere  is  dense  with  tho  smoko  of  tho  conllict.  Not 
only  tho  land.sca[)e,  strewn  with  lifeless  forms,  but  tho  moving  fig- 
ures upon  it,  wear  the  grim  visage  of  the  battle.  Whole  ranks,  on 
both  sides,  advance  and  are  cut  down  as  one  man,  undistinguished 
in  tho  smoke  which  envelops  them  like  a pall. 

The  picture  presents  another  phase.  The  cannon  is  silenced  ; 
the  smoke  fades  away;  shouts  ring  through  tho  air;  the  groans 
of  the  dying  are  drowned  amid  tho  cheers  of  the  living.  If  the 
day  is  not  won,  a battery  is  taken.  Hurrah  tho  Sixty-ninth  1 If 
a battalion  breaks,  another  rallies.  Hurrah  tho  Thirteenth!  If 
a charge  is  desperately  made,  it  is  unbrokenly  met.  Hurrah  tho 
Fourteenth  1 Tho  men,  emerging  from  tho  battle,  gradually  recover 
from  their  excitement,  and  assume  an  air  of  calmness  and  compo- 
sure. Tho  banners  which  floated  in  airy  beauty  before  the  fight, 
now,  crimsoned  with  blood  or  riven  with  tho  blast  of  battle,  droo[) 
in  languid  folds, — the  sacred  trophies  of  surviving  valor  and  hon- 
ored mementoes  of  the  heroic  dead. 


As  the  face  of  the  picture  changes,  so  do  the  surrounding  physi- 
cal features.  The  liills  buried  beneath  the  lingering  smoko  now 
rise  to  view.  The  glorious  sun,  obscured  by  the  clouds  of  war 
breaks  forth  in  all  its  splendor.  The  famous  Run,  turbid  and  min- 
gled with  blood,  now  flows  placidly,  broken  only  by  the  murmur 
of  its  waters.  The  trees,  hero  and  tlicro  bereft  of  a bough  or 
robbed  of  their  leaves,  no  longer  resound  with  the  roar  of  musketry 
and  artillery,  but  are  vocal  with  the  song  of  birds.  The  brush- 
wood trampled  by  the  weight  of  armies,  bears  the  marks  of  many 
feet ; and  the  surrounding  earth  is  deeply  scarred  with  the  furrows 
of  the  cannon-ball. 

The  battle  flew,  on  fiery  wings,  from  one  point  of  the  crimsoned 
field  to  the  other.  The  contending  foes  anxiously  await  the  result, 
while  the  wavering  fortunes  of  the  day  hang  despondingly  in  the 
doubtful  scales  of  war.  Onward  the  Union  battalions  rush — des- 
perately the  rebel  forces  press ! Charge  after  charge  is  made  and 
repulsed;  the  Union  forces  nowin  the  ascendant,  the  rebels  now 
flying,  behind  their  batteries,  before  the  storm  of  musketry  and 
the  charging  bayonet — then  returning  with  renewed  daring;  are 
again  repulsed  and  again  renew  the  assault. 

Still  the  battle  rages — the  Black  Horse  Cavalry  charge  1 

Moving  columns  in  the  distance  are  seen  rapidly  advancing.  The 
clear  lens  of  the  field-glass  reveals  not  the  starry  emblem  of  the 
Union  among  their  banners.  Nearer  they  approach  and  still  nearer, 
until  the  number  swells  to  thousands  of  the  rebel  army.  “ Patter- 
son has  not  intercepted  Johnston!”  cry  voices  in  the  secret  of  the 
plan  of  battle.  “ Patterson  has  let  Johnston  loose  upon  us ! What 
avails  our  courage,  fighting,  sacrifices!”  We  are  overwhelmed! 

And  now  the  fresh  levies  of  Johnston,  arriving  from  Manassas, 
suddenly  advance  to  the  attack.  The  broken  columns  of  the  Union 
army,  where  most  severely  pressed,  begin  to  feel  the  fatal  effect 
of  this  now  force.  Bravely  they  withstand  the  unc(iual  contest 
which  is  thus  hurled  upon  them  until  they  give  way  before  the 
overpowering  force. 

Flushed  with  triumph,  the  desperate  foe  rush  upon  the  retreat- 
ing Unionists.  Rank  after  rank  break,  save  here  and  there  a rally- 
ing force  which  makes  a desperate  stand  against  the  pursuing  foe. 
Downward  they  rush  over  wounded,  dying,  and  straggling  men, 
mingled  indiscriminately,  until  Unionist  and  rebel  appear  as  one 
disorganized  army.  Tlie  Black  lIor.se  Cavalry,  flushed  with  pride 
in  their  part  of  the  day’s  havoc,  dash  on,  with  foaming  steed  and 


42 


Dattle  of  Du<j  Spring,  Mo. 

gleaming  sword.  lUit  many  a rider  was  unhorsed  even  at  this  mo- 
ment of  fearful  odds  by  an  unerring  Union  ride.  Again  the  valor 
that  bore  its  front  undaunted  in  the  equal  combat  disdained  to 
yield  to  the  exultant  foe,  and  turning  desperately,  laid  him  at  its 
feet,  in  the  very  hour  of  victory.  Onward  they  rush,  until  panic 
takes  the  place  of  retreat;  when  teamsters  and  soldiers,  horses  and 
citizens,  become  mixed  in  one  flying  mass.  The  foe,  unconscious 
of  his  advantage,  discontinues  the  pursuit;  and  the  Union  army, 
broken  and  defeated,  though  not  disheartened,  seek  their  defenses 
before  Washington. 


, BATTLE  OF  DUG  SPRING,  MO. 

August  2,  18G1. 

UnionviU^  under  General  Lyon^  5,900.  Killed.,  8;  wounded,  30. 

Dieunioniist'i,  under  General  Price,  5,000.  Killed,  40  ; wounded,  44. 

On  the  afternoon  of  August  1st,  General  Lyon,  being  at  Spring- 
field, — in  order  to  meet  the  enemy  in  an  open  field,  led  his  array  as 
far  south  ns  Crane  Creek,  ten  miles  below.  The  next  day  the 
marcl\  was  resumed  under  a burning  sun.  At  Dug  Spring  he 
encountered  the  enemy.  Captain  Steele’s  regular  infantry  was  in 
advance,  supported  by  Ca[>tain  Stanley’s  cavalry.  The  enemy’s 
infantry  was  seen  approaching  from  a wood,  evidently  with  the 
design  of  cutting  off  the  rear  of  the  Union  forces.  Ca|)tain  Stanley 
drew  up  his  cavalry  to  receive  them,  and  threw  a deadly  tiro  into 
their  ranks;  but  the  rebels,  who  greatly  outnumbered  him,  replied 
with  telling  effect.  The  unequal  contest  w.as  bravely  borne  by 
Captain  Stanley’s  cavalry,  when  one  of  his  officers,  carried  away 
with  ardor  and  regardless  of  numbers,  cheeringly  cried  to  his  men 
to  charge!  Away  some  thirty  of  them  fly  upon  their  steeds,  and 
dashing  upon  the  rebel  bayonets,  turn  them  away  in  surjjrise. 
Soon  a body  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  swept  along  and  formed  into 
an  angle.  Ca|)tain  Totten,  mounting  his  battery  on  an  overlooking 
hill,  threw  shot  and  shell  into  their  midst,  fire  after  fire,  scattering 
them  over  the  field.  General  Lyon,  having  routed  the  enemy, 
continued  his  march  to  Curran,  twenty-six  miles  from  Springfield. 


Wilson's  Creek^  Mo. 


43 


WILSON’S  CREEK,  MO. 

August  10,  1861. 

VnioniMfiy  under  General  Lyon^  6,000.  Killed,  223  ; fPounde.d.,’l2[  \ minffing,  291. 
DisunioJiisifty  under  Price  and  McCulloch^  23,000.  Killed^  265;  wounded,  800  1 
mijising.^  30. 

After  a sharp  skirmish  at  Athens,  on  tlio  5th,  in  wliicli  tho 
Union  f<)rce3  lield  tho  field,  wo  pass  to  tho  important  battle  of 
Wilson’s  Creek,  in  which  the  bravo  General  Lyon  was  killed,  and 
his  army,  opposed  to  greatly  superior  numbers,  was  defeated. 
General  Lyon  at  this  time  held  an  exceedingly  perilous  position. 
He  w'as  pressed  upon  all  sides  by  the  enemy,  and  was  without 
reinforcements.  Fremont’s  troops  had  been  detached  to  strengthen 
other  points,  and  were  unable  to  afford  the  desired  relief. 

Under  these  trying  circumstances.  General  Lyon  was  debating 
whether  to  give  tho  enemy  battle  or  to  retreat  upon  Uolla.  Fear- 
ing to  risk  the  chance  of  his  army  being  cut  up  in  detail,  he  deter- 
mined to  attack  the  enemy,  intrenched  in  great  force  at  Wilson’s 
Creek,  nine  miles  south  of  Springfield.  Accordingly,  at  daylight, 
on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  he  advanced  to  the  conflict.  Tho 
])lan  was  to  move  on  tho  enemy  in  two  columns;  one  under  Colonel 
Sigel,  the  other  under  his  own  command. 

The  enemy’s  tents  lay  on  both  sides  of  tho  creek,  covering  a mile 
east  and  south,  and  crossing  two  miles  west  and  north  of  tho  road, 
— the  stream  presenting  a somewhat  tortuous  course.  On  each 
side  of  the  water  hills  rise  to  a height  of  two  or  three  hundred 
feet,  those  on  the  north  presenting  gentle  acclivities,  whilo  the 
valley  spreads  out  to  the  width  of  half  a mile. 

At  eight  o’clock  in  the  evening  the  columns  moved  to  the  attack. 
Colonel  Sigel,  with  his  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a part  of  Colonel 
Salomon’s  forces,  took  the  road  to  the  southward;  and  marching 
around  to  the  extreme  right  of  the  enemy’s  camp,  he  there  awaited 
tho  signal  of  Lyon’s  cannon.  Lyon,  with  the  main  body,  moving 
on  at  the  same  time,  halted  five  miles  west  of  the  eity,  and  thence 
continued  his  course  in  a southwesterly  direction. 

At  five  o’clock  in  the  morning  of  Saturday  the  battle  opened, 
and  continued  until  eleven..  The  Unionists,  after  a most  gallant 
struggle  against  overwhelming  numbers,  were  forced  to  retreat. 
General  Lyon  fell  mortally  wounded  while  heroically  leading  a 
body  of  men  who  had  lost  their  leader  in  tho  midst  of  tho  fight. 
Among  other  brave  officer.s,  Gen.  Sweeney,  Col.  Sturgis,  and  Capt. 
'Totten  greatly  distinguished  themselves  in  this  desperate  contest. 


44 


Hatteras  Inlet. 


HATTERAS  INLET. 


AuQOSt  28  AND  29,  186L. 


U7iionistSy  under  General  B.  F.  Butler^  1,000.  Fleet  under  Commodore  S.  17, 
Stringham.  Killed^  1 ; icoundedy  2. 

Dimnionlsts.^  under  Commodore  BarroHy  over  800.  Killed,  wounded^ 
prisoners,  715.  ^ 


The  first  naval  expedition  of  the  war  resulted  in  the  capture  of 
Forts  Hatteras  and  Clark,  .at  Hatteras  Inlet,  North  Carolina.  On 
the  20tli  of  August  the  llect  loft  IIaini)toti  Ro.ads  with  Coiuinodoro 
Stringham’s  flag-ship  Minnesota,  accompanied  by  four  United  States 
steamers  and  three  chartered  steamers,  all  commanded  by  officers 
of  tbe  United  States  navy.  In  tow  of  several  of  the  transports 
were  schooners  with  surf-boats  attached. 

The  land  forces  consisted  of  500  of  the  Twentieth  New  York 
Regiment,  Colonel  Weber  ; 230  of  the  New  York  Ninth  Regiment, 
Colonel  Hawkins;'  100  of  the  Union  Coast  Guards,  Captain  Nixon, 
and  00  of  the  United  States  Second  Artillery,  Lieutenant  Lamed. 

The  expedition  left  Fortress  Monroe  on  the  afternoon  of  the  20th 
and  arrived  at  Hatteras  Inlet  on  the  afternoon  of  the  27th.  Early 
the  following  morning  everything  was  in  readiness  for  the  attack. 
The  troops  were  landed  under  cover  of  the  fleet.  Above  three 
hundred  men,  led  by  Colonel  Max  Weber,  formed  the  storming 
party.  Save  a severe  drenching  from  the  heavy  surf,  they  reached 
the  beach  without  accident.  Soon  the  guns  of  Fort  Clark  began 
to  answer  the  IVab.ash,  and  the  general  action  comtnenced. 

After  three  hours  of  heavy  cannoruading,  the  flags  of  the  fort 
were  suddenly  lowered.  Again  banners  waved,  but  this  time  not 
the  enemy’s.  The  Union  flag  fluttered  in  the  breeze.  But  tbe 
fleet  could  not  believe  its  own  good  fortune.  The  work  was  too 
speedily  done;  the  fire  continued  for  fear  of  a ruse.  Not  so  did 
events  appear  in  the  eye  of  General  Butler.  Like  Nelson  at  Co- 
penhagen (though  in  a difierent  branch  of  the  service),  ho  could 
not  thus  interpret  the  appearance  of  the  flag.  The  storming  party 
had  possession  of  Fort  Clark. 

But  the  work  was  not  done.  The  klonticello  was  fired  upon  by 
tbe  lower  b.attery.  The  troops  left  Fort  Clark  for  greater  security. 
The  guns  of  the  fleet  ke[)t  up  their  fire,  till  darkness  descending, 
and  the  heavens  thre.atening  a storm,  the  conflict  ceased. 

But  the  next  morning  its  thunders  again  roared.  The  raging 
elements  of  the  previous  night  had  somewhat  scattered  the  fleet; 


i 


j BENJAMIN  FBANKLIN  BUTLEB.  i 

]\tujor-Gen.  Vols.,  born  in  I )o(;iTil'1(1,  Kockingliani  (kj.,  K.  II.,  Xov.  5,  1818; 
j oducaled  at  AValorvilio  Oollogo,  Me. ; adinitied  to  llic  li.ar  in  [unwell,  in  1840  ; \ 

■!  acquired  a liigh  reputal ion  aa  a criminal  lawyer;  nienLl.)er  of  (Jonstitulional  ! 

,i  Convention,  j\lass.,  1853 ; member  National  Democratic  Clonvenlion,  ISGO  ; i 

Democratic  candidate  for  Covernor,  18G0  ; Drig.-Cen.  Militia,  18G1;  com-  { 

■;  manded  Mass.  Advance  Guards,  in  April,  cn  route  to  W'^a.sliington,  and  at  ;■ 

; Baltimore;  made  .Maj.-Gen.  \Mls.,  ]\lay  l(i,  18G1 ; commanded  Dept  of  \"a. ; 

) defeated  at  Big  Bethel ; eai)tured  Fort  llatteras,  Aug.  21)  ; aided  in  tlio  cap-  ( 

'{  ture  of  the  forts  below  New  Orleans,  in  April,  18G2  ; enlered  New  Orleans  ;■ 

1 April  28  ; commanded  there  till  Dec.  15,  18G2 ; returned  to  the  North;  as-  ;. 

) signed  Oct.  29,  18G3,  to  command  the  D('partment  of  Virginia  and  North  i 

, Carolina,  alterwai'ds  called  Ihe  Army  of  the  dames;  aihninis(,cr('d  thi'  alliiirs  j' 

of  DcparInu'nt  wilh  success.  In  (he  beginning  of  May,  I 8G  I , occiqiicd  Her-  ;. 

muda  1 Inndred  ; attacked  Fort  Darling,  Imt  was  rcpulsi'd  ; atlemptcd  unsuc-  ( 

ccssfully  to ' ca])tur(!  I’ctersburg;  made  a canal  acro.ss  Dulch  Ga]),  on  the 
■:  Janies,  which  was  finally  succe.ssful;  direcled  several  indecisive  aetion.s  on  !■ 

the  North  bank  of  the  Janies ; Dec.  25,  18G4,  made  an  unsuccessful  attenqit  ; 
) to  cajiture  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. ; relieved  from  command,  and  ordered  to  report 
at  Lowell has  since  held  no  command.  1 


Carnifex  Ferry. — Qhcat  Mountain  Pass,  Va.  47 

but  now  tho  tempest  of  the  ocean  ceased,  to  give  way  to  the  tem- 
pest of  battle,  'fho  vessels  had  made  their  anchorage.  The  Sus- 
quehannah,  the  Minnesota,  the  Wabash,  and  the  Moiiticello  opened 
a terrific  fire,  and  made  old  Ilatteras,  with  its  rebellious  shore,  ring 
again  in  a voice  which  defied  the  storm. 

Up  flies  tho  white  flag,  and  Butler,  wishing  to  learn  its  signif- 
icance, dispatches  Lieutenant  Crosby  to  ascertain. 

Tho  fort  has  succumbed.  Commodore  Barron  proposes  to  sur- 
render, but  on  condition  that  he  and  his  officers  shall  p.ass  out  with 
their  side-arms — his  men  without  arms.  These  terms  being  refused, 
an  unconditional  surrender  was  made. 

The  tars,  meantime,  from  the  tops  of  the  rigging,  cheer  the  white 
flag  with  shouts  of  “Victory I” 

715  men,  with  olliccrs,  were  taken,  and  31  pieces  of  cannon, 
1,000  stands  of  arms,  and  five  stands  of  colors,  besides  stores  and 
other  booty. 


CAENIFEX  FERRY,  VA. 

Septembru  10,  18CI. 

ITnionisUy  under  General  JiosecraiUy  4,500.  Killedy  16 ; V)oundedy  102. 

DimnioniHU.^  under  General  Floyd^  5,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  not  reported. 

On  tho  loth  of  Soi)tcmber,  General  llosccrans,  after  a weary 
search  and  a long  march  in  pursuit  of  Floyd,  at  length  discovered 
him,  strongly  intrenched,  at  Carnifex  Ferry,  lie  was  posted  on 
the  right  bank  of  {he  Gauley  River,  about  eight  miles  southwest  of 
Summerville.  A reconnoissance  of  the  enemy’s  position  was  made  ' 
at  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  which  led  to  a conflict  lasting 
until  night.  It  was  General  Rosecrans’  intention  to  renew  the 
battle  tho  next  morning,  but  his  wily  foe  disappeared  without  giv- 
ing him  the  opportunity. 


CHEAT  MOUNTAIN  PASS,  VA. 

September  12,  18G1, 

Zfnionistsi,  under  Gen.  Reynolds^  10,000.  Killed.  9 ; wounded^  2 ; prisonertiy  60. 
VU'inionUiSy  under  General  Robert  E.  Zee,  9,000,  Killed^  80;  woundedy  20; 
20. 

On  tho  12th  of  September,  General  Reynolds  was  attacked  by 
General  Lee,  at  Cheat  Mountain.  This  pass  lies  between  the  val- 
ley of  the  south  branch  of  the  Potomac  River  and  the  valleys  of  Elk 


48 


and  Gauley  rivers.  .General  Reynolds  first  occupied  the  foot  of 
the  mountain,  and  afterward  fortified  the  two  spurs  known  as 
Cheat  Summit  and  Elk  AVater,  seven  miles  apart. 

Leo,  9,000  strong,  advanced  on  Reynolds’  j)osition  by  the  Hunt- 
ersville pike.  After  some  brisk  fighting,  in  which  the  Seventeenth 
Indiana,  Colonel  Pearsel,  evinced  their  courage,  the  enemy  made 
their  way  to  the  right  and  rear  of  Cheat  Mountain,  and  cut  off  the 
telegraphic  communication  between  the  two  summits.  By  rapid 
combinations  Lee’s  forces  gained  other  points  of  advantage,  .all 
tlie  while  gallantly  met  by  the  torrents  of  fire  which  were  poured 
down  upon  them. 

Five  thousand  of  the  enemy  became  engaged  on  Cheat  Summit, 
now  the  principal  point  of  tlie  fight,  and  the  roar  of  the  cannon 
echoed  again  and  again  in  fearful  reverberations.  Repulsed  at  one 
point,  first  in  the  rear,  then  in  front,  the  mountain  gorges  offered 
other  avenues  of  attack,  and  onward  the  Southerners  rushed,  to  bo 
swept  back  once  more  by  the  flood  of  fire  which  poured  its  waves 
from  the  mountain  summit,  thoroughly  defeated. 


LEXINGTON,  MO. 

September  12-20,  1861. 

Unionists^  under  Colonel  Mulligan^  2,780.  Killed^  42  ; xoounded^  108 ; prisonerSf 
1,624. 

DisunionistSy  under  General  PricCy  26,000.  Killedy  25;  woundedy  75. 

Lexington,  the  capital  of  Lafayette  County,  is  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Missouri  River,  120  miles  west  of  Jefferson  City,  and 
300  miles  from  St.  Louis.  It  has  a population  of  6,000. 

This  point,  important  in  many  strategic  respects  to  the  Union 
forces,  was  ecpially  desirable  to  the  rebels.  It  was  attacked  on  the 
12th  by  Price’s  army,  and  surrendered  on  the  20th,  after  a most 
lieroic  defense.  The  water  communication  being  cut  off,  the  be- 
sieged were  reduced  almost  to  a perishing  condition.  Neither  na- 
ture nor  valor  were  longer  able  to  withstand  the  combined  foes  of 
want  and  a besieging  army  ; and  hence  the  Union  troops,  exhausted 
and  surrounded,  yielded  to  the  enemy. 


Chapmansville,  Va. — Greenbrier,  Va.  49 

CHAPMANSVILLE,  VA. 

September  25,  1861. 

VnionUta^  under  Colonel  Praii^  500.  Killed^  4;  'ivounded  and  miftsing,  9. 
Pisnnionisis^  under  ColSnel  T,  ir.  Davis^  500.  Killed^  29  ; wounded^  50  ; prison- 
erSy  47. 

Tnii  next  point  of  battle  in  the  mountain  regions  of  Virginia 
was  Cliapinansville,  in  Logan  County.  Tlero  a dctaclinient  of 
rebels  w'as  attacked  by  the  Thirty-fourth  Indiana.  This  regiment 
of  Zouaves  quickly  drove  the  enemy  from  behind  their  breast- 
works, and  kept  up  a brisk  fight  of  some  hours,  in  which  they 
gained  a general  advantage.  Among  the  trophies  of  the  victory 
was  a secession  flag. 


' GREENBRIER,  VA.  " 

October  8,  1861. 

Unionists^  under  General  Reynolds,,  5,000.  Killed,,  wounded^Z2» 
DimnionisU,^  under  Gen.  Jackson,,  7,000.  Killed,,  100 ; wounded^  75  ; prisonerSy  18. 

On  the  night  of  October  2d,  at  twelve  o’clock.  General  Reynolds 
started  from  his  encampment  to  attack  a fortified  camp  on  Green- 
brier River.  The  enemy  held  Buffalo  Ilill,  their  cannon  bristling 
along  its  terraced  sides.  Tlio  Federal  columns,  as  they  advanced 
up  tbe  acclivity,  were  swept  with  torrents  of  blazing  fire.  Soon, 
however,  their  batteries  were  in  position.  Gun  after  gun  answered 
from  valley  to  fortified  hillside.  Gradually  the  roar  of  the  terraced 
cannon  cease-s.  The  Federals  deem  tbe  day  their  own.  A move- 
ment to  storm  the  hill  is  rn.ade.  But  from  tbe  brow  of  tbe  steep, 
whizzing  rockets  ascend,  and  soon  break  fortli  tbe  shouts  of  the 
mountain  legions:  they  are  reinforced  from  the  neighboring  camp. 
A flank  movement  is  made  by  the  assailing  party,  under  a perilous 
cross-fire  of  shell  and  canister,  when  tbe  rebels  rapidly  retire. 


SANTA  ROSA  ISLAND. 

October  9,  1861. 

UnionistSy  under  Colonel  IT.  WiUony  400.  Killed.  14 ; tcoundedy  29  ; prisonerSy  24. 
PisunionistSy  under  General  Andersony  1,200.  Killedy  unknoion ; woundedy  860 ; 
prisonerSy  86. 

Eaui.y  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  October,  a detachment, 
under  General  Anderson,  from  the  forces  of  General  Bragg,  then 


50 


Santa  Rosa  Island. — Rail's  Rluff. 


coniinancling  at  Pensacola,  made  an  attack  upon  Santa  Posa  Island, 
on  tlic  west  coast  of  Florida.  The  object  of  the  enterprise  was  to 
capture  Fort  Pickens,  situated  at  the  western  extremity  of  the 
island.  Before  effecting  this,  however,  the  assailants  must  over- 
power the  Federal  force  encamped  on  the  island.  This  force  con- 
sisted of  a portion  of  a New  York  regiment,  known  as  the  Wilson 
Zouaves,  commanded  hy  Colonel  William  Wilson.  Under  the  cover 
of  the  darkness,  the  bold  adventurers  landed,  and  began  to  drive 
in  the  Federal  pickets.  But  soon  the  alarm  spread  to  the  camps, 
and  all  were  in  readiness  to  meet  tlio  foe.  The  intense  darkness 
added  to  the  confusion  of  the  secret  attack,  until  tlie  tiring  of  the 
camp  hy  the  enemy  lighted  up  the  desolate  island.  Bapidly  the 
surprised  party  rallied.  A hand-to-hand  fight  ensued.  After  a 
desperate  struggle,  the  assailants  were  driven  to  their  boats,  fol- 
lowed by  the  combined  fires  from  the  fort  and  their  pursuers. 
Thus  the  well-])lanned  attack  on  Santa  liosa  was  hallled,  rellccting 
great  credit  on  tho  vigilance  and  gallantry  of  Colonel  Wilson  and 
his  coinmand. 


BALL’S  BLUFF. 

OCTOUEB  21,  1861. 

XTnioniniSy  under  Colonel  Baher^  2,100.  Killed.,  223  ; wounded,  266 ; misfiing,  455. 
I>isunionists,  wider  General  Evaiis,  6,000  Killed,  36 ; wounded,  264 ; prisoners,  2. 

Ball’s  Bluff  is  one  of  those  conspicuous  disasters  which,  asso- 
ciated with  tho  most  heroic  deeds  of  v.alor,  stand  out,  among  the 
grand  features  of  war,  in  hold  relief,  as  the  high  bluff  itself  stands 
forth  conspicuously  among  the  dark  promontories  which  impede 
the  onward  flow  of  the  Potomac.  What  the  gloomy  landscape 
surroundings  were  to  the  genius  of  Salvator  Rosa,  will  this  terrible 
battle  and  its  concomit.ants  be  to  the  ambition  of  some  bold  de- 
lineator of  warlike  scenes — one  of  the  grandest,  most  picturcscjuc, 
and  sublime  of  subjects. 

But  that  which  tho  sjjectator  finds  most  tragically  heroic  in  its 
effects,  the  military  eye  discovers  to  bo  most  cruelly  disastrous  and 
coldly  unpardonable  in  its  consequences.  Such  was  the  battle  of 
Ball’s  Bluff.  A handful  of  men,  comparatively  speaking,  set  forth, 
with  very  inadequate  means  of  conveyance,  and  with  a double 
peril  in  returning,  should  retreat  become  necessary,  to  cross  tho 
Potomac  at  Edward’s  Ferry  and  occupy  Harrison’s  Landing.  But 


51 


Ball's  Bluff. 

the  contingency  of  a retreat  seemed  to  be  unanticipated,  or,  if  an- 
ticipated, was  at  least  unprovided  for.  The  landings  are  divided 
by  a huge  bluff  which  throws  its  dark  shadows  gloomily  upon  the 
waters,  and  lifts  its  towering  head  ruggedly  toward  the  skies.  The 
unconscious  troops  took  their  march  along  the  steep  which  rises 
from  the  shore,  until  they  reached  a field  surrounded  by  a forest. 

The  rebel  forces,  in  large  numbers,  had  secluded  themselves  in 
the  dense  cover  of  the  latter.  Here  tlie  battle  was  fought.  Col- 
onel Devens  had  reached  the  bluff  by  daylight,  and  began  to  form 
his  command  for  battle.  Stiddenly  he  was  attacked ; when  an 
irregular  fire  was  kept  up,  the  enemy  making  no  demonstration  of 
great  strength,  but  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  Unionist’s  main 
force.  The  latter  were  sent  forward  as  rapidly  as  the  means  of 
transportation  would  enable.  They  were  marched  to  the  fatal 
spot,  surrounded,  literally,  by  a cordon  of  fire,  and  there  cut  down, 
yielding  only  to  the  most  unequal  odds,  and  under  the  most  disas- 
trous circumstances.  Colonel  llaker,  the  commander  of  the  field, 
fell,  mortally  wounded.  Colonel  Milton  Cogswell,  after  leading 
his  men  desperately  to  the  charge  in  the  midst  of  the  most  fatal 
fire,  was  overwhelmed  by  superior  numbers  and  forced  to  yield, 
but  not  until  his  command  had  inflicted  severe  losses  upon  the 
enemy.  The  most  terrible  period  of  the  battle  was  about  two 
o’clock  r.M.,  when  the  concealed  foe  opened  their  fire,  from  the 
woods,  upon  the  Union  ranks. 

The  fatal  combat  continued  with  unmitigated  fury  until  darkness 
closed  over  the  forest  that  all  the  day  had  blazed  with  the  fires  of 
battle. 

Against  the  terrible  odds  of  position  and  numbers,  the  remnant 
of  this  body  of  brave  men  were  unable  to  bear  up,  and  accordingly 
retreated  from  the  field  which  their  devotion  has  immortalized. 
But  their  retreat  was  pursued  by  a deadly  fire,  even  to  the  brink 
of  the  river;  where,  precipitated  down  the  steep  bluff,  many  of 
them  sank  to  rise  no  more  beneath  the  gory  waters.  Along  the 
shores,  for  days  after,  bodies  floated,  and  were  cast  upon  the  banks. 

Ball’s  Bluff  is  written  in  ineffaceable  characters  upon  the  darkest 
page  of  history;  and  while  the  Potomac  flows,  the  bold  eminence 
which  formed  the  scene  of  conflict  will  stand  as  a monument  to  the 
glory,  if  not  the  triumph,  of  American  heroism. 


3 


62,.  Sprinrjjidd^  Mo. — Romney.,  Fa. — Port  Royal. 
SPRINGFIELD,  MO. 

OcTODEU  25,  1S61. 

UnionUtSy  under  }fa)or  Zagonyi^  800.  Killedy  15 ; uoundedy  2T  ; misaingy  10. 
J>isnnwnUt{iy  2,000.  Killedy  lOG;  xoonnded^  unknoxoxi ; 27. 

TnK  rebels  liaving  been  in  possession  of  Springfield  since  the 
battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek,  an  order  was  given  by  General  Fremont  to 
attack  it.  'l''he  numbers  of  the  enemy  were  much  greater  than  was 
estimated;  and  the  inferior  force,  commanded  by  Major  Zagonyi, 
a Hungarian,  gave  to  the  enterprise,  in  the  successful  manner  of 
its  execution,  a reputation  of  rare  brilliancy.  A dash  was  made 
into  the  town  which  took  the  garrison  by  surprise.  After  killing 
and  wounding  many  of  the  enemy  and  capturing  a number  of  pris- 
oners, with  a considerable  amount  of  treasure,  the  daring  assail- 
ants withdrew,  leaving  the  place  to  be  quietly  occupied  by  the 
advance  of  General  Fremont’s  army  the  day  following. 


ROMNEY,  VA 

OcTOKEK  2fl,  1801. 

Unionistfiy  under  General  KtlUjy  2,600.  Killcdy  2 ; v^oundedy  16. 

J>Uunio7iistii — numhere  and  commander  not  reported.  Killedy  20 ; woxindedy  15 ; 
pHaonerSy  500. 

General  Kelly,  with  a force  of  Virginia  and  Ohio  volunteers, 
left  New  Creek  to  attack  Romney,  supported  by  a regiment  under 
Colonel  Thomas  Johns.  The  plan  of  attack  was  to  lead  his  main 
force  against  the  west  part  of  the  town,  while  his  supporting  col- 
umn made  a demonstration  against  the  north.  Encountering  the 
outposts  of  the  enemy  some  distance  from  the  town,  the  action  be- 
gan precipitately.  Infantry  and  cavalry  charged  at  once  upon  the 
opposing  batteries,  which,  after  a desperate  defense,  were  partly 
abandoned  to  the  possession  of  the  Unionists.  The  victors  cap- 
tured, besides,  several  pieces  of  cannon,  a number  of  wagons  loaded 
with  rifles,  etc.,  and  500  prisoners. 


CAPTURE  OF  PORT  ROYAL. 

November  7,  1861. 

VnionisUy  Under  General  T.  W.  Shermany  27,000.  Fleet  under  Commodore 
Samuel  F.  Ihipont.  Killedy  8;  woundedy  23. 
jyimnionieUy  under  General  Druyton.  Killed  and  xcounded  not  reported;  pris* 
onerSy  2,500. 

On  the  29th  of  October  the  great  naval  expedition  designed  to 
operate  against  the  Southern  coast  sailed  from  Hampton  Roads, 


. 4* 


mSi' 

wMk 


II 


53 


(Capture  of  Port  Royal. 

Va.  Preparations  for  this  formidable  armada  had  been  made  for 
several  weeks  previous ; but  the  objects  and  points  of  its  desti- 
nation were  kept  a profound  secret.  The  sight  of  the  departure 
of  a fleet  of  over  seventy  vessels  from  their  various  anchorages  was 
one  of  almost  ine.xpressible  magnificence.  As  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  clouds  of  sail  floated  toward  the  sea,  while  the  shores  were 
crowded  with  excited  spectators,  waving  their  adieus.  Strains  of 
martial  music  and  exultant  cheers  rent  the  air,  until  the  last  si)cck 
of  canvas  that  fluttered  its  answering  farewell  was  lost  to  tlie  eye. 

The  third  day  out  a terrific  storm  arose,  developing  the  utter 
worthlessness  of  a number  of  vessels  which  a want  of  vigilance  on 
the  j>art  of  the  proper  otBcers  had  suffered  to  be  imposed  upon  the 
Government.  Several  vessels  were  scattered  and  wrecked,  and 
others  driv'en  back  to  Fortress  Monroe.  The  greater  portion  of 
the  fleet,  however,  outriding  the  storm,  arrived  off  Port  Royal, 
South  Carolina,  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  November.  On  the 
5th  a sliglit  reconnoissance  by  the  gun-boats  was  made,  and  on 
the  7th  the  attack  of  the  combined  fleet  commenced. 

At  ten  o’clock  a fire  was  opened  from  the  Hilton  Head  fortifica- 
tions on  the  flag-ship  Wabash.  This  was  returned  by  the  batteries 
of  the  fleet,  in  a terrible  and  destructive  broadside.  Between 
the  two  shores  of  batteries,  the  ocean-batteries  of  the  ships  rolled 
their  billows  of  fire,  one  following  tlic  other  in  rapid  succession, 
until  the  sea  of  flames  became  mingled  with  the  clouds  of  heaven. 

Shells  discharged  with  the  rapidity  of  the  instant,  rei)eated  their 
fiery  messages  as  timed  by  tlie  watch,  until  thousands  and  thou- 
sands fell,  bursting  in  fragments  upon  the  fortified  shores.  Again 
and  again  the  fleet  took  up  a revolving  line,  and  swept  around 
magnificently,  sending  its  messages  of  death  and  receiving  fiery 
answers  from  the  shore. 

A portion  of  the  gun-boats,  divided  from  the  main  fleet,  took 
positions  of  effective  range,  beyond  its  circling  pathway.  Some 
remained  stationary,  while  others  placed  themselves  to  the  north 
of  the  beleaguered  forts  and  kept  up  an  enfilading  fire. 

At  length  the  fire  from  the  forts  grew  weaker  and  gradually  died 
away.  As  the  smoke  of  the  last  cannon  slowly  dissipated,  a flag 
of  truce  was  dimly  seen  streaming  from  the  fort;  and  soon  in  its 
stead  was  proudly  hailed,  floating  in  the  sun,  the  emblem  of  vic- 
tory, the  Star  Spangled  Banner ! Forts  Walker  and  Beauregard 
had  succumbed ; Port  Royal  Harbor  was  in  secure  possession, 
while  many  trophies  fell  into  the  possession  of  the  Unionists. 


54 


Helmont^  Mo. — Munfordsville,  My. 

BELMONT,  MO. 

Novkmukb  T,  1861. 

Vnioniets.,  under  General  Grant.,  2,850.  KHUd^  34  ; wounded-,  238  ; 285. 

JHftunioniats,  under  General  Polk.  Killed,  2G1 ; waunded,  427  ; nilsalng,  278. 

The  forces  of  Generals  Grant  and  Polk  fought  a severe  battle 
on  the  7th  of  November,  at  Belmont,  opj)Osite  Columbus,  Ky.,  on 
the  Missouri  side  of  the  “Father  of  Waters.” 

Golurabus  was  occupied  by  General  Polk  witli  a large  rebel 
force.  The  high  bluft’s  on  the  Kentucky  side  of  the  river  afforded 
strong  fortifications  and  were  heavily  mounted  with  guns  com- 
manding it.  General  Grant’s  object  was  to  surprise  the  enemy  at 
Belmont,  and  prevent  him  from  reinforcing  liis  confederates  in 
Kentucky  or  Missouri. 

The  forces  of  General  Grant  were  landed  in  boats  some  distance 
above,  and  thence  inarched  upon  Belmont.  A battle  of  two  hours’ 
duration  ensued,  resulting  to  the  advantage  of  the  Union  forces. 
But  this  advantage  was  jiartly  lost  by  the  subsequent  conduct  of 
the  troops,  who  became  demoralized,  and  giving  themselves  up  to 
plunder,  were  met,  before  they  could  recover  tlieir  boats,  by  rein- 
forcements from  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  shore.  Cutting  their 
way  through  these,  they  were  forced  to  maintain  a bloody  combat, 
which  continued  until  they  succeeded,  after  severe  loss,  in  reach- 
ing their  boats. 


(Tho  foIlowJne  battle  waB,  by  mlutuUe,  InHertea  out  of  chronological  order.  It  tjhouIJ 

coitiu  111  before  page  115.) 

MUNFORDSVILLE,  KY. 

September  16  and  17.  1862. 

Unionists,  under  Colonels  Wilder  and  Dunham,  aver  4,000.  Killed  and  wounded, 
not  reported ; prisoners,  4,100. 

Disunionists,  under  Ge?ieral  Dragg,  26,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  many — num^ 
hers  not  reported. 

The  advance  of  General  Bragg’s  army  having  appeared  before 
Munl'ordsvillc,  ho  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  Union  forces 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wilder.  This  demand  having  been 
refused,  the  attack  was  begun  at  throe  o’clock  a.m.  A fierce 
attempt  was  made  to  carry  the  fortifications  by  storm,  but  was 
twice  repulsed.  The  battle  continued  till  ten  o’clock  a.m.,  when 
another  demand  to  surrender  was  made  and  refused. 

After  a brief  suspension  of  hostilities,  the  attack  was  renewed, 
with  intense  violence,  on  Tuesday  morning,  the  17th.  Again  the 


Camp  Alleghany.  55 

enemy  attempted  to  carry  the  breast- works  by  storm,  and  again  he 
was  repulsed.  Thereafter,  the  battle  continuing,  with  varied  for- 
tunes to  both  combatants,  up  to  five  o’clock,  a third  demand  was 
made  to  surrender.  Exhausted  by  overwhelming  forces,  which, 
despite  the  indomit&ble  courage  of  the  Union  troops  in  beating 
back  their  assaults,  had  already  gained  several  important  advan- 
tages, it  was  determined,  after  a mature  council  of  war,  to  surren- 
der the  garrison  upon  such  honorable  terras  as  would  reflect  no 
discredit  upon  its  gallant  defenders.  Eurty-one  hundred  men  and 
ten  guns  wore  surrendered. 


CAMP  ALLEGHANY. 

Deceuber  18,  1861. 

PjiioniAts^  nnd^r  General  about  4,500.  Killed.,  21 ; wounded.,  107. 

K is  unionists  y under  Colonel  Johnson^  2,000.  Losses  {according  to  Rebtl  state* 
ments) : killedy  20 ; wounded^  96. 

Camp  Alleoiiant  is  situated  twenty-five  miles  from  Cheat 
Mountain  summit.  An  expedition  set  out  on  the  12th  of  Decem- 
ber, from  the  Federal  headquarters  on  the  mountain,  to  attack  the 
rebels  at  the  former  place.  After  arriving  at  Camp  Bartow,  on 
the  Greenbrier  River,  the  forces  were  divided  into  two  columns,  for 
the  purpose  of  attacking  the  enemy  from  two  diflerent  points. 

The  second  division,  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Reynolds, 
approached  the  mountain  to  the  right.  Reaching  the  summit  at 
daylight,  the  battle  commenced.  At  first,  events  went  favorably 
and  cheeringly  for  the  Unionists.  The  rebels  showed  great  spirit 
in  the  attack  ; but  fell  back,  leaving  their  killed  and  wounded  be- 
liind  them.  Inspired  by  success,  the  Unionists  pressed  on  ; but  soon 
the  tide  of  battle,  rolled  back  by  overwhelming  forces,  turned  against 
them.  The  sharp  rattle  of  the  musketry  brought  out  numbers  of 
the  foe  from  each  mountain  fastness,  as  the  blast  of  Roderick  Dhu 
brought  forth  armed  men  from  the  greenwood  copse  and  heather. 
A yell  and  a charge,  and  the  Unionists  fell  back  all  along  the  line. 
The  first  division,  under  Colonel  Moody,  had  not  arrived.  Colonel 
Jones,  commanding  the  second  division,  was  gallantly  withstand- 
ing the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  with  his  artillery  when,  exhaust- 
ed of  ammunition  and  overborne  by  numbers,  he  withdrew  his 
command  from  the  field. 

The  second  division  had  barely  withdrawn  from  the  battle,  when 


sc  Dmnesville,  Fa. — 31111  Spring,  JCy. 

the  first  arrived  to  attack  the  enemy  on  the  left.  Colonel  I^foody’s 
command  had  been  delayed  by  the  obstructions  of  the  road ; and 
now,  in  turn,  became  engaged  alone  with  the  enemy’s  undivided 
force.  After  maintaining  a spirited  contest,  in  which  the  Union- 
ists displayed  great  courage,  ho  withdrew  his  command  from  the 
unequal  contest.  The  battle  continued  from  daylight  until  three 
o’clock  V.M. 


^DRANESVILLE,  VA. 

Dkokubicb  20,  1S61. 

XTnionists^  under  General  Ord^  about  4,500.  Killed^  7 ; wov/nded^  Cl ; misaingy 
I)iHunionist8y  under  General  Stuart^  ah&ut  2,500.  Killed^  70;  wounded,^  14C; 
viUsiiigy  44. 

A FORAGING  expedition  having  been  planned,  General  Ord’s  bri- 
gade was  dispatched  upon  it  in  the  neighborhood  of  Dranesville. 
lieacliing  the  vicinity  of  the  place,  about  noon,  a numerous  rebel 
force  was  discovered.  Immediately  the  troops  were  so  disposed 
as  to  meet  the  unexpected  foe. 

Posted  a mile  distant,  in  a sheltering  wood,  the  enemy  began  to 
shell  the  Union  force.  The  latter,  however,  suffered  no  immediate 
harm,  and  Captain  Easton  opened  upon  the  foe  with  his  twenty- 
four  and  twelve  pounders.  The  rebels  slackened  their  fire,  and, 
for  a time,  kept  Ord’s  men  in  doubt  of  their  movements.  Sud- 
derdy  a demonstration  was  made  upon  his  right  flank.  The  ad- 
vancing columns  of  tlie  enemy,  as  they  moved  with  audacious  front 
to  the  attack,  were  severely  chastised.  A fierce  fire  was  kept  up 
for  some  time;  when,  unable  to  withstand  it,  the  rebels  withdrew 
behind  their  batteries.  A charge  was  ordered  ; but  before  it  could 
be  executed,  they  had  fled. 


MILL  SPRING,  KY. 

Januakt  19,  1862. 

UnionistSy  under  General  Thomas^  8,000.  Killedy  89 ; wounded^  127. 
Diaunionistijy  under  General  Zollicojfery  8,000.  Killedy  115 ; wou.ndedy  116 ; pris- 
oners, 150. 

The  Union  forces  obtained  a very  important  victory  over  the 
rebels  at  Mill  Springs,  or  Logan’s  Cross  Roads,  Ky.  The  enemy, 
routed  in  the  field,  fled  to  their  camp  on  the  Cumberland,  only  to 
abandon  it  during  the  night.  They  left  everything,  and  continued 


{ ated  at  West  Point  in  1840,  12th  in  a ckiss  of  45.  2d-Lient.,  3d  jVrt.,  duly  ; 

I'i  1,1840;  stationed  at  Plorida,  1 840  ; New  tlrleans,  1842  ; t'liaricsion  liar-  { 

bor,  June,  1842.  llrevetted  Ist-Lieut.,  Nov.  0,  1841  ; Dec.,  1843,  stationed  ; 

I at  Fort  McHenry,  Halt. ; Ist-Lieut.,  May  17,184.3;  Fort  j\IouItrie,  1844  ; 

;■  sent  to  Te.xas,  July,  184.5  ; delended  h’ort  Drown,  I\Iay  !),  184(1.  Drevelti'd  ■; 

( Captain,  for  Monterey,  and  Major,  for  Duena  Vista ; actiii"  Caiit.  3d  Art., 

; July,  184!)  ; in  Florida,  1849  ; Doston  Harbor,  1850-.51  ; lust.  Chiv.  and  Art.,  '( 

AVest  Point,  IHfil -54  ; full  Capt.,  Dec.,  1853;  I'ort  Vuina,  Cal.,  July,  1 85  1 ; ! 

Major,  1855;  iLssicned  to  .lelU'ison  Itarracks,  St.  Lonis  ; in  Te.\a,s,  1 85(!-()0  ; ; 

j explored  lied  and  Canadian  llivers;  Cailisle  Darracks,  Pa.,  Ajiril,  18(11  ; { 

I Jacut.-Col.,  April  25,  1801 ; Col.  5tli  II.  S.  Cav.,  May  5,  1801  ; Drig.-Cen.  t 

; A'ols.,  Aug.  17,  1801  ; assigned  to  duty  at  Camp  Dick  llobinson,  Ky.,  Sept.  : 

■;  15,  1801  ; Wild-Cat.  Ix'banon  ; fought  battle  of  Mill  Spring,  .Jan.  19,  1802  ; j 

) Major-Cen.  A'ols.,  April  25,  1802  ; commander  right  wing  Army  of  the  'Ten-  t 

•;  nessee.  May  1,  1802  ; tran.sferred  to  Army  of  Ohio,  .Innc  10,  1802  ; second  j 

) in  command  1 !)th  Sept,  to  30(h  Oct. ; commander  center  iVrmy  of  the  ( 'umber-  •: 

) land.  Nov.  5,  1802;  in  battle  of  Stone  lliver,  Dec.  31. Ian.  2,  180!! — won  i 

; the  day  ; pursued  llebels  in  .Tune,  1803  ; fought  and  won  battle  of  Chidca-  ) 

) mauga  ; commander  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  Oct.  19,  1803  ; Hrig.-t  len.  U.  ( 

( S.  A.,  Oct.  27,  1803;  carried  Mission  llidge,  Nov.  25.  1803.  In  all  battles  ( 

{ of  Atlanta,  campaign  ; deOaited  and  routed  Hood,  at  Nashville,  Dec.  15-10,  j 

) 1804;  sent  Sdiolield  to  AVilminglon  in  .Ian. ; AVilson  to  Ala.  and  Ca.,  in  ( 

; Mai'ch  ; C ranger  to  Mobile,  March  ; and  Stoneman  to  A'a.  and  N.  C.  Maj.-  j 

( Jen.,  11.  S.  A.,  .Tail.,  1805  ; commander  Alii.  i)iv.  of  the  Tennessee  (Depts.  of  ; 

{ 4 1..  f|’ A T 1 0/'?r  ) 


ANDREW  HULL  FOOTE, 


Late  Rear- All miral  U.  S.  N.,  born  in  New  ITaven,  Gt.,  Sept.  12, 180G,  ilied 
in  N.  Y.,  June  2(!,  ISO.'l ; entered  ttie  navy  in  1822  ; made  Ids  fir.st  cruise  in 
\ the  Grampus  scliooner  ; midshipman  in  1824  ; Jjieut.  in  18.'!0  ; in  1838,  First- 
j Lieut,  of  sloop  John  Adams,  and  attacked  pirates  of  Sumatra;  labored  to 
procure  the  withdrawal  of  the  spirit  ration;  1849-52,  Lieut.-Comniander  of 
brig  Ferry,  in  the  African  scpiadron  ; was  vigilant  in  suppression  of  slave 
: trade  ; made  Commander  in  ’52  ; on  Naval  Retiring  Board  ; in  China  squad- 

ron  in  185G  ; stormed  the  Canton  barrier  forts  Nov.  21-24,  185G.  In  18G(), 
I e.xecutive  ollicer  at  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard  ; July,  18G1,  made  Captain;  in 

j Sejit.,  18G1,  flag  ollicer  of  Western  Flotilla;  captured  Fort  Henry,  Feb.  G, 

! 18G2;  attacked  Fort  Bonelson,  Feb.  14;  wounded  by  a shell,  but  remaini'd 

) in  command  till  the  reduction  of  Island  No.  Ten  ; recovering  his  health,  was 

’ made  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Equipment  and  Recruiting,  and  in  July,  ’G2,  ap- 

) pointed  Rear-Admiral.  In  June,  I8G3,  hewas  ordered  to  relieve  Admiral 

j Dupont,  in  command  of  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron,  and  died  while 

making  preparations  for  his  departure  for  Charleston. 


i 

I 


G1 


l^'ort  Henry,  Tenn. 


tlicir  retreat  for  nearly  eighty  miles.  The  property  captured  on 
the  field  included  twenty-one  cannon,  six  hundred  muskets,  over 
twelve  hundred  horses  and  mules,  and  one  hundred  four-horse 
wagons. 

In  this  battle  General  ZollicolTer  and  Baillie  Peyton,  Jr.,  were 
killed. 




FOKT  HENRY,  TENN. 

February  6,  1862. 

Union  jl4i€ty  under  Commodore  Foote^  comprising  six  gxin-hoaU  {four  of  them 
iron-dads),  of  sixty-six  guns.  Land  forces,  under  General  Grants  numbers  not 
stated.  Killed^  0^“,  'icounded, 

DisunionistSy  under  General  Ttlghm-an.  5;  wounded^\0  ] prisoners^lO. 

Four  1Jexi!Y  is  situated  on  the  Tennessee  River,  near  the  north- 
ern boundary  of  the  State.  It  is  a formidable  work,  which  was 
built  in  the  first  year  of  the  rebellion  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
Union  boats. 

A combined  land  and  naval  attack  wms  made  on  this  stronghold 
early  in  February.  The  bombardment  was  opened  at  a distance 
of  seventeen  hundred  yards,  by  the  flag-ship,  followed  by  the  other 
gun-boats^  and  was  promptly  rc.«ponded  to  by  the  fort.  As  the 
fleet  drew  near,  the  firing  on  both  sides  quickened  and  became 
more  accurata  Rut  the  heavy  shots  of  the  gun-boats  were  irre- 
sistible ; and  after  a closely  contested  action  of  about  one  hour  and 
a quarter,  the  rebel  flag  was  hauled  down. 

About  twenty  minutes  before  the  surrender,  the  Essex,  command- 
ed by  the  gallant  Commander  'William  D.  Porter,  received  a shot 
in  her  boilers,  wdiich  resulted  in  the  wounding  and  scalding  of  twen- 
ty-nine men,  including  Commander  Porter. 

Commodore  Foote  states  in  his  report  that  Fort  Henry  was  most 
gallantly  defended  by  General  Tilghman — a man  worthy  of  a bet- 
ter cause.  According  to  the  accounts  of  the  latter,  he  entered 
upon  the  action  with  eleven  guns  of  heavy  caliber  bearing  upon 
the  fleet,  and  fought  until  seven  of  the  number  were  completely  dis- 
abled or  otherwise  rendered  useless. 

The  fort  was  but  partially  invested  by  the  land  forces. 


62' 


lloanoJce  Island,  H O. 

EOANOKE  ISLAND,  N.  C. 

FullKUAltY  7 AND  8,  1802. 

Union  fleet,  Muder  Commodore  Goldshorough,  comprUing  thirty-one  gundjoate 
of  ninety  four  gunn.  Land  forces,  under  Oenerat  JJumside,  about  14,000.  titl- 
ed, 60 ; wounded,  222. 

D-isunionisU,  under  Ge/ieral  Wise,  about  2,700.  Jfilled,  30  ; wounded,  60;  pris- 
oners, 2,027. 

The  fleet  of  the  Burnside  Expedition  wliich  sailed  from  Fortress 
Monroe,  after  being  detained  by  storms  three  weeks  in  sight  of 
Ilatteras  Iidet,  aneliored  on  the  night  of  February  5th  aliout  ten 
miles  below  the  southern  point  of  Roanoke  Island. 

At  ten  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  gun-boats  arrived 
at  Roanoke  Inlet.  The  mainland  here  juts  eastward,  forming  a 
marshy  jioint  at  the  southern  extremity  of  Oroatan  Sound,  which 
is  the  only  navigable  water  leading  past  Roanoke  Island. 

d’ho  gun-boats  of  the  coast  division  followed  Commodore  Golds- 
borough’s  squadron,  all  of  which  passed  through  without  interrup- 
tion. The  Spaulding,  with  General  Burnside  on  board,  next  passed 
through  ; but  the  remainder  of  the  transports  were  detained  about 
two  hours. 

At  half-past  eleven  the  first  gun  was  fired  from  the  flag-ship,  and 
was  answered  by  the  rebels.  The  regular  fire  commenced  about 
noon,  when  the  flag-ship  displayed  the  signal  for  close  action. 

As  the  vessels  became  more  generally  engaged,  the  rebel  gun- 
boats moved  to  the  northward,  desigfiing  to  draw  the  Union  fleet 
after  them,  and  bring  them  in  range  of  their  batteries  on  the  shore. 
The  progress  of  the  Union  fleet  was  obstructed  by  a lino  ot  jjiles 
driven  into  tbe  bed  of  the  sound,  across  the  principal  channel.  Thus 
thwarted  in  their  juirsuit,  they  directed  their  fire  u|)on  the  fort, 
which  replied  with  much  vigor.  General  Burnside  gave  orders  to 
land  his  forces  on  the  Tth,  the  transports  having  all  arrived  safely 
through  Roanoke  Inlet;  and  at  night  the  entire  force  was  put  on 
shore. 

'I'lio  rcbrl  gun  boats  having  retired,  idl  interest  now  centered  in 
the  movement  of  tbe  land  forces.  Tbe  latter  were  digivvii  up  in  a 
central  attacking  column,  led  by  Brigadier-General  Foster;  a left 
flanking  column,  under  Brigadier-General  Reno,  to  assail  the  right 
of  the  enemv’s  works;  and  a right  flanking  column,  commanded  by 
Brigadier-General  Parke,  to  attack  the  enemy’s  position  on  the  left. 
The  fort  consisted  of  an  earth-work  with  three  faces,  covering 
the  open  space  in  front  and  the  roads  on  each  side  of  the  open 


TjuIc  Majiir-( Jriicrul  Volniilcf'rs,  horn  iii,  I,ili('i'(,y,  nnion  (!o.,  Ind.,  ]\Iiiy  2.'!, 
1821 ; grnduiitcd  at  AVcsL  I’oint,  d line  t!0,  1817,  1 rdli  in  a class  of  47  ; Jh'ovet 
2d  l/icut.,  2d  Arlillcry,  1847  ; 2d  lacut.,  3d  ^Vrtillcry,  1848  ; on  duly  at  Fort 
Adams,  Newport,  It.  J.,  1848;  served  in  New  l\lcxico,  ISdU-lSfil  ; again 
at  Fort  Adams,  1852-3.  Invented  Eurnside  Itifle.  llesigned,  Oct.  1853. 
Unsneccssful  in  business.  Fniploycd  by  III.  Gent.  It.  It,  1858-1801,  first  at 
Chicago,  afterward  at  N.  Y.  Coininandcd  1st  Iteg.  It.  1.  A"ols.,  from  1 Otli 
April,  1801.  (lommanded  JSrigade  in  battle  of  JJull  Run;  made  Rrig.-Gen. 
Vols.,  Aug.  0,  1801  ; took  command  of  N.  C.  I'lxpedition  dan.,  1802;  cap- 
tured Roanoke  Island,  Feb.  9 ; Newliern,  March  14,  '02.  Made  Major-Gen. 
Yols.,  March  18,  ’02;  fought  battle  of  Camden,  April  1!);  reduced  Fort 
Macon,  April  25,  '02  ; occuiiicd  Fredericksburg,  Aug.  5,  ’02  ; commanded 
left  wing  Army  of  Fotomac  at  Houlh  Mountain  and  Anticlam,  Nov.  7,  ’02  ; 
appointed  Commander  Army  of  I’otomac  ; fought  battle  of  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  13, ’02;  relieved  from  his  command,  dan.  2(;,  ’03 ; ajipointed  to  com- 
mand Deji't  of  Ohio,  Mardi  25,  ’03;  arrested,  fried  and  sentenced  Vallandig- 
ham  in  Summer  of  1803;  Sept.  1,  ’03,  occupied  Kno.vvillc,  Tenn.,,and  Sept. 
!)th  takes  Cumberland  Gap  ; besieged  at  Knoxville  by  Ijongstrcet,  Nov.  2l) ; 
Dec.  4,  siege  raised.  Resigns  his  command  Nov.  13,  but  continues  in  com- 
mand till  about  Nov.  30.  Recruits  9th  Army  Corps,  and  takes  part  in  bat- 
tles of  Alay  and  June,  1804,  in  A"a.  ^Took  jiart  in  severe  battle  of  Petersburg 
Mine,  July  30.  Relieved,  at  his  own  request,  in  , Oct.,  1804.  i Resigned  as 
Major-General,  June,  1805. 


. Fort  Donelson^  Tenn. 


65 


space,  but  in  general  having  a sweeping  range  to  the  front.  The 
guns  were  mounted  in  embrasures.  Before  the  work  was  a ditch 
filled  with  water,  eight  feet  in  length  and  three  in  depth.  The 
earth-work  was  about  thirty. five  yards  wide,  and  extended  across 
the  road.  The  ground  in  front  was  a deep  marsh,  and  its  difficult 
nature  was  increased  by  pits  occasioned  by  the  removal  of  turf  and 
earth  for  the  field-work.  Branches  were  strewn  over  the  face  of 
the  ramparts,  making  it  impossible  to  discover  it  from  the  wood  in 
front. 

The  defending  force  consisted  of  about  three  hundred  men  within 
the  fortifications  and  about  two  thousand  as  a reserve.  The  rebels 
relied  chiefly  for  the  defense  of  their  flanks  on  the  impenetrable 
nature  of  the  woods  on  each  side.  Their  entire  force,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  those  working  the  battery,  was  distributed  in  front  and 
in  the  woods  on  the  left  as  skirmishers. 

A contest  lasting  two  hours  gave  to  the  Federal  forces  the  pos- 
session of  Roanoke  Island,  with  all  the  batteries,  mounting  thirty 
guns,  and  Fort  Forrest,  on  the  mainland,  mounting  eight  guns.  The 
rebel  array  on  the  island,  numbering  2,500  men,  surrendered  to  the 
Union  flag  with  all  their  arms  and  munitions  of  war. 

Captain  O.  Jennings  Wise,  son  of  General  (Governor)  Wise,  was 
among  the  rebel  killed.  Colonel  Russell,  of  the  Tenth  Connecti- 
cut, was  killed  ; also  Lieutenant-Colonel  Do  Montreuil,  of  the  Now 
York  Fifty-third,  whose  superb  heroism  on  tliis  occasion  contrib- 
uted in  a great  degree  to  the  success  of  the  assault  on  the  fort. 


FORT  DONELSON,  TENN. 

February  12  to  16, 1S62. 

under  General  Grant^  about  20,000.  Killed^  446;  wounded^  1,785; 
■prisonerey  150. 

DieunionUUy  under  General  Guckner,  about  20,000.  Killed^  231 ; wou'tided^  1,007  ; 
prisonersy  18,829. 

After  a siege  of  four  days.  Fort  Donelson,  on  the  Cumberland 
River,  in  Tennessee,  surrendered  to  the  Federal  forces,  commanded 
by  General  Grant. 

By  this  important  achievement  an  army  of  twenty  thousand 
men  was  defeated  and  captured,  and  the  possession  of  the  Cumber- 
land River  secured  to  the  Union  arms.  The  insurgents  were  com- 
pelled to  fall  back  from  Kentucky  and  Middle  and  Western  Ten- 
nessee upon  Memphis,  being  thus  cut  off  from  important  lines  of 


66 


Fort  Fonelson,  Term, 

railroad  communications  and  supplies;  and  the  seat  of  war  was 
removed  from  the  “Western”  border  to  the  Cotton  States. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  ^'ebrnary,  General  Grant  issued 
an  order  to  move  from  Fort  Henry,  fourteen  miles  distant.  The 
expedition  was  divided  into  three  columns.  One,  under  lli-igadier- 
General  McClernand,  took  the  road  from  Fort  Henry  to  Dover, 
running  south  of  the  enemy’s  position.  A second,  commanded  hy 
Brigadier-General  W.  C.  Smith,  of  the  regular  army,  marched  by 
the  direct  or  telegraph  road  to  the  fort.  A third,  suhse(]\iently 
placed  under  the  lead  of  Brigadier-General  Wallace,  was  sent 
round  by  Paducah  and  Smithland,  ascending  the  Guinberland  (inder 
escort  of  the  gun-boats.  Each  of  these  divisions  consisted  of  about 
ten  regiments  of  infantry,  batteries,  and  cavalry. 

In  the  afternoon  the  advanced  skirmishers  of  JlcOlernand’s  divi- 
sion came  in  sight  of  the  enemy’s  tents,  stretching  between  the 
hill  on  which  the  fort  is  situated  and  the  next,  or  Dover  Ridge. 

The  foremost  jiickets  were  discovered  on  the  hill  facing  their 
camp,  and  were  driven  off.  General  Grant  ordered  up  the  rear  of 
the  column.  ‘Dresser’s  battery  was  posted  on  an  eminence  over- 
looking the  tents,  and  a few  shell  were  thrown  into  the  camp. 
General  Smith’s  division  formed  into  lino  of  battle  on  the  ravine 
back  of  the  main  elevation. 

The  place  was  soon  invested.  On  Thursday  morning  the  enemy 
made  a sortie  on  the  right  of  the  Union  line;  and  about  eight 
o’clock  the  general  battle  commenced.  Schwartz’s  and  Taylor’s 
batteries,  favored  by  their  position  on  the  left,  played  vigorously 
on  the  enemy.  All  attempts  to  capture  them  proved  unavailing, 
a rapid  discharge  of  canister  driving  the  enemy  back  to  their  de- 
fenses. 

A formidable  redoubt  fronting  the  center  of  the  Union  line  prov- 
ed very  annoying.  This  was  stormed  by  the  borty  oighth.  Seven- 
teenth, and  Forty-ninth  Illinois  regiments.  Between  the  storm- 
ing party  and  the  work  lay  a ravine,  and  the  redoubt  was  some 
two  Iiundred  and  fifty  feet  above.  Through  this  gaping  ravine 
and  up  this  mountain  steep  the  intrepid  band  undauntedly  made 
their  way  amid  a storm  of  musketry,  grape,  and  shell.  As  they 
approached  the  works  their  gallant  leader  fell.  The  Seventeenth 
nnflinchingly  pushed  on;  but  they  encountered  an  impenetrable 
abattis,  and,  after  performing  prodigies  of  valor,  were  compelled  to 
retire. 

In  unison  with  this  deadly  conflic  t on  the  right,  the  enemy  was 


Fort  Donelson^  Tenn. 


69 


brought  to  a close  engagement  on  the  left.  The  Twenty- fifth  Indi- 
ana at  the  head  of  a brigade,  liaving  readied  a position  on  the  brow 
of  a liill,  were  mot  by  the  enemy  in  force.  A terrible  struggle  en- 
sued, in  which  the  foe,  occupying  a cliosen  position,  continued  to 
liold  tlie  vantage  ground,  despite  the  greatest  daring  on  the  part  of 
the  assailants.  The  attempt,  however,  was  successful  in  drawing 
away  a part  of  the  enemy  from  the  right,  although  insudicient  to 
enable  McClcrnaiid’s  troops  to  gain  possession  of  the  fort  in  that 
quarter. 

The  siege  continued.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  14th,  the  gun- 
boats opened  upon  the  enemy’s  batteries  ; their  co-operation,  how- 
ever, was  partially  ineffectual.  After  a brief  action,  three  of  them 
became  disabled,  and  Commodore  Foote  having  lost  nine  killed 
and  forty-five  wounded,  reluctantly  withdrew  his  boats  for  repairs. 

The  hours  for  the  chief  and  final  assault  had  now  arrived.  Like 
the  grand  finale  in  a drama,  it  was  to  be  the  most  striking  scene  in 
the  siege  of  Fort  Donelson.  General  Smith  was  assigned  the  lead- 
ing part.  The  assaulting  force  comprised  ten  regiments,  which  were 
divided  into  brigades,  commanded  by  Colonels  Cook  and  Lauman. 

The  right  of  the  attack,  led  by  Colonel  Cook,  was  directed  against 
the  center  of  the  enemy’s  position ; and  opposed  to  it  were  six 
Tennessee  regiments.  The  men  marcheil  gallantly  up  the  formida- 
ble steep,  encountering  barricades  of  felled  timber  and  brushwood  ; 
and  with  undaunted  front  bore  the  banner  of  the  Union  through 
the  storm  of  missiles  which  fell  mercilessly  upon  them. 

On  the  right  lay  an  open  space,  up  which  the  brigade  of  Lauman 
ascended.  The  charge  was  led  by  the  Second  Iowa,  the  other  regi- 
ments following  in  brilliant  succession.  Terrible  volleys  descended 
upon  them,  as  they  made  their  way  chceringly  up  the  acclivity. 
Uut  through  the  torrent  of  fire  and  over  fallen  timber,  and  be- 
tween the  rifle-pits,  they  reached  the  summit,  not  without  fearful 
havoc  in  their  ranks.  Many  a bravo  soldier  bad  fallen  forever  1 
Many  a gallant  one  lay  weltering  in  his  blood  ! But  the  flag  struck 
from  one  hand  is  eagerly  seized  by  another,  and  borne  triumphantly 
up  the  steep,  is  planted  upon  the  enemy’s  parapet.  Hurrah,  the 
day  is  ours  I Fort  Uonelson  surrenders  with  thirteen  thousand 
prisoners,  sixty -five  cannon,  and  a million  and  a half  of  stores. 


70  Y'alverde^  New  Mexico — Pea  Pidge^  A.rJcansas, 

VALVERDE,  NEW  MEXICO. 

Fkuuuauy  21,  1862. 

Vnionifitu^  under  Colonel  Cunhy^  1,500.  Killed^  CO  j wounded,  140. 

I>Uunio7iUts,  under  Cotoiiel  Steele,  nearly  2,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  120. 

The  battle  of  Vulverdo  was  fought  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  about  seven  miles  north  of  Fort  Craig.  Colonel  Canby 
was  in  command  of  the  fort,  and  determined  to  dispute  the  advance 
of  the  rebels  to  Santa  Fe.  The  Union  batteries — ^IcRae’s  and 
Hale’s — were  charged  upon  by  an  overwhelming  force  and  captured. 
This  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  small  Union  force,  which  retired 
to  the  fort  after  gallantly  contesting  the  field. 


PEA  RIDGE,  ARKANSAS. 

Marcu  6-8,  1862. 

Uiiionists^  under  General  Curtis,  about  20,000.  Killed,  ^12  ; toounuea,  926  ; pris~ 
oners,  174. 

T>isunionists,  under  General  McIntosh,  about  35,000.  Killed,  1,100;  wounded, 
2,500 ; prisonei's,  1,600. 

Pea.  Rioge,  located  in  the  extreme  northwest  corner  of  tlie 
State  of  Arkansas,  was  the  scene  of  those  brilliant  confiicts  which 
resulted  in  the  victorious  triumph  of  the  Union  arms,  on  the  8th 
of  lifarch. 

The  plundering  and  desultory  warfare  which  h.ad  been  waged  for 
several  months  in  Missouri  received  a decisive  check  at  tlio  meet- 
ing of  the  two  opposing  armies  in  Arkansas. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Gth,  General  Sigel  had  advanced  several 
miles  up  the  bed  of  Sugar  Creek.  Ilis  rear  was  protected  by  two 
battalions  of  infantry  and  a squadron  of  cavalry.  Soon  after  leav- 
ing Bentonville,  about  ten  in  the  morning,  he  was  charged  upon  by 
two  thousand  rebel  cavalry.  Ilis  own  force  was  estimated  at  one 
thousand.  This  small  band  (the  cavalry  flanking  the  infantry)  with- 
held their  fire  until  the  enemy  had  come  within  two  hundred  yards  ; 
when  eight  hundred  Minio  rifles  were  discharged.  In  the  face  of 
this  deadly  fire  the  rebels  rushed  on  the  Union  troops;  but  an* 
other  and  another  volley  was  poured  upon  them,  in  rapid  succes- 
sion. Still  tliey  rushed  on,  the  Unionists  keeping  up  their  fire 
until  the  enemy  retreated  in  confusion  and  dism.ay. 

But  soon  their  shattered  column  is  re-formed.  Sigel,  still  sepa- 
rated from  his  supports,  unle.ss  sustained  by  the  most  heroic  reso- 
lution, is  at  the  mercy  of  the  foe,  which,  although  repulsed,  was 


rca  Ridge,  Arkansas^ 

yet  strong  enough  in  numbers  and  desperation  to  overwhelm  him. 
The  rebel  leaders,  inspired  by  tliis  conviction,  prepare  for  a final 
charge.  Onward  they  speed  with  spurred  horses  and  bowie-knives 
raised  in  defiance  of  the  gleaming  bayonets.  Encompassing  the 
Unionists  in  a formidable  circle  of  arms,  steeds,  and  men,  a des- 
perate hand-to-hand  encounter  takes  place.  Bayonet  and  bowie- 
knife  test  their  power  against  each  other,  while  the  burning  lead 
pours  forth  from  each  blazing  riflo.  The  intrepid  German  holds 
his  own ; his  men  rally  around  him.  Again  the  Mississippians, 
the  Missourians,  and  the  Arkansas  men  rush  on ; and  again  the 
bayonet  holds  them  back.  The  Union  reinforcements  arrive,  after 
an  hour’s  terrible  suspense,  and  the  enemy  baffled  in  his  three-fold 
attempt  retires  from  tlie  contest. 

The  following  night  the  men  in  the  Federal  camp  lay  down  in 
lino  of  battle  an^  slept  on  their  arms. 

The  position  the  enemy  occupied  in  the  morning  compelled  a 
change  in  the  Union  line  of  battle.  Colonel  Carr  marched  back 
two  miles  along  the  road  to  Fayetteville,  and  took  a position  in 
front  of  the  enemy  posted  on  the  opposite  side  of  Beaver  Creek,  a 
stream  flowing  into  Sugar  Creek. 

General  Sigel  held  the  camp,  his  left  extending  to  Sugar  Creek ; 
while  Colonel  Carr  held  the  table-land,  on  the  top  of  the  ridge. 

The  first  vigorous  assault  of  the  enemy  was  now  made.  The  firo 
opened  rapidly,  and  Colonel  Carr  was  closely  pressed.  Colonel 
Davis  was  ordered  to  his  support.  Tlie  enemy’s  forces  are  already 
divided  by  a skillful  attack  from  Colonel  Osterhaus.  But  rein- 
forcements arrived,  and  the  cavalry  of  the  Unionists  are  driven 
back,  and  their  flying  artillery  captured.  The  enemy,  however,  is 
now  checked  by  infantry.  Colonel  Davis  is  again  called  upon  to 
support  the  center.  The  struggle  at  this  point  is  inspired  with  ad- 
ditional interest,  from  the  rebels  being  led  in  person  by  McCulloch 
and  McIntosh.  Uere  raged  a terrific  fight. 

The  right  wanted  support,  but  the  center  demanded  it ; the  day 
rested  upon  its  unfailing  endurance.  The  position  was  held  by  its 
gallant  defender  and  his  intrepid  men  with  courage  and  firmness 
truly  heroic.  “ This  point  must  be  saved,  or  all  is  lost,”  cries  tho 
resolute  Davis.  McCulloch,  the  great  leader  of  tho  insurgents  in 
the  Southwest,  had  fallen — his  name  a host  in  itself  McIntosh  also 
was  slain.  The  loss  of  these  two  great  chiefs  carried  dismay  into 
tho  hearts  of  their  army,  but  inspired  tho  Union  men  with  fresh 
energy.  Among  aU  tho  motley  horde  hurled  against  the  Union 


72  Pea  Piclge^  Arkansas. 

center,  the  Indian  horsemen  presented  tlie  most  striking  picture. 
They  dashed  upon  tlio  resolute  ranks;  but  recoiled  before  the 
steady  fire  which  met  them,  and  turned  as  if  from  the  blazing  of  a 
prairie  on  fire. 

Colonel  Carr  held  his  ground  firmly  on  the  right;  while  all  the 
spare  foree  was  directed  to  sustain  the  center.  Only  a few  cavalry 
and  a body-guard  could  be  sent  to  his  assistance. 

These  parts  of  the  Union  lines  had  been  so  persistently  attacked 
that  the  forces  of  Generals  Asboth  and  Sigel,  on  Sugar  Creek,  had 
not  yet  been  assailed.  Hence  when  the  enemy  at  last  fell  back 
from  the  center,  and  began  to  concentrate  for  an  overwhelming  at- 
tack on  the  right,  Asboth  was  ordered  to  its  su[)port,  and  Sigel 
was  directed  to  co-operate  if  necessary,  while  he  sustained  the 
center.  Considerable  time  elapsed,  however,  before  these  forces 
could  be  brought  up,  and  seven  hours  of  battle  had  already  passed 
since  the  beginning  of  the  engagement.  Carr  had  been  driven 
back  half  a mile,  contesting  every  sword’s  point  of  the  ground  ; but 
still  the  battle  was  neither  won  nor  lost. 

General  Curtis,  gallojiing  up,  ordered  a bayonet  charge.  The 
Fourth  and  Ninth  Iowa  rushed  madly  upon  the  enemy.  General 
Asboth — the  veteran  Hungarian  hero — now  opened  a fire  from  his 
batteries,  at  short  range.  But  his  ammunition  became  exhausted, 
and  darkness  closed  upon  the  scene. 

The  terrible  three  days’  battle,  however,  was  not  yet  enaed. 
Under  the  shadow  of  night.  Colonel  Davis  having  moved  to  the  left 
of  Carr’s  and  Sigel’s  gallant  divisions,  was  placed  in  co-operating 
position.  The  wary  enemy  planted  new  batteries,  and  with  sun- 
rise opened  fire  again  upon  the  Union  right. 

But  victory  now  seemed  to  hover  over  the  Federal  arms.  The 
loyal  troops  had  secured  favorable  positions,  and  the  fire  of  many 
batteries  converged  upon  the  enemy.  After  terrible  resistance,  the 
rebels  were  finally  overcome,  and  their  broken  columns  scattered 
far  and  wide.  Pursued  by  artillery  and  cav.alry,  the  remnant  of 
their  forces  sought  safety  in  the  gorges  of  the  mountains.  Such 
was  the  beginning  and  ending  of  the  terrible,  though  triumphant, 
three  days’  battle  of  Pea  Ridge. 


Hampton  lioads^  Fa. 


73 


HAMPTON  ROADS,  VA. 

March  8 and  9,  1862, 

Vnionfltet^  under  Flag-Officer  Captain  Marsion^  comprising  four  steam-^e^seU^ 
viz.y'the  iron-clad  battery  Monitor,  the  frigate  Minnesota^  and  the  gun-boats 
Whitehall  and  Dragon^ — also  four  sail-vessels — to  wit^  the  sloop-ofwar  Cumber- 
land^ and  the  frigates  Congress^  Roanoke  and  Lawrence.  Killed.,  wounded.^ 
and  missvig  about  370. 

Rebel  fleet.,  under  Flag-Officer  Captain  Buchanan,  comprising  the  iron-clad 
steamer  Mbruimao  O^lias  Vii'ginia\  Vie  steamers  Patrick  I/enry^  Yorktown., 
and  Jamestown,  and  the  steam  gun-boats  Teaser,  Beaufort,  and  Raleigh. 
Losses  (as  officially  reported),  in  killed,  7 ; wounded,  17. 

On  the  9th  of  March  there  occurred  in  American  waters  a con- 
test which  was  destined  to  revolutionize  the  system  of  naval  war- 
fare and  naval  architecture  throughout  the  civilized  world.  For 
the  first  time  in  history,  two  iron-clad  war- vessels  met  in  destruc- 
tive combat.  The  mailed  Ericsson  battery,  familiarly  known  as 
the  Monitor  (the  construction  of  which,  with  its  low  hull  and  re- 
volving turret,  has  since  become  familiar  to  every  observer  of  great 
warlike  improvements),  was  pitted  against  the  former  Federal 
war-steamer  called  the  Merrimac — now  iron-roofed  and  iron-sided 
— its  name  changed  by  its  rebel  captors  to  the  Virginia. 

The  Merrimac,  accompanied  by  the  Yorktown,  the  Jamestown, 
and  three  gun-boats,  left  Craney  Island,  near  the  mouth  of  Eliza- 
beth River,  Va.,  and  proceeded  toward  Sewell’s  Point. 

Soon  after  her  departure  she  encountered  the  Union  war-vessels 
Congress  and  Cumberland,  both  large  sailing  craft.  Passing  within 
three  hundred  yards  of  the  former,  slie  poured  a broadside  into 
her,  and  then  made  directly  for  the  Cnmberland.  Opening  her 
two  how-guns  upon  the  latter,  she  plunged  her  iron  prow  into  its 
side,  meanwhile  continuing  her  broadside  discharges  at  the  Con- 
gress. Then  falling  back  to  gain  the  full  momentum  of  her  weight, 
the  iron  monster  again  plunged  her  terrible  prow  into  the  disabled 
Cumberland ; and  at  the  same  time  the  steamers  Yorktown  and 
Jamestown  hurled  their  combined  fire  upon  the  Congress.  The 
latter,  in  attempting  to  run  in  shore,  grounded,  and  was  thus  placed 
at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Cumberland,  the  Merrimac  turned 
upon  the  Congress,  thinking  to  complete  the  havoc  which  the 
Yorktown  and  Jamestown  had  already  inflicted.  Taking  a posi- 
tion within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  her  stern,  where  only 
two  guns  of  the  Congress  could  be  hrougfit  to  bear  on  her,  the 


T-l  Hampton  Hoads,  Va. 

Jilerrimac  poured  broadside  after  broadside  into  the  immovable 
vessel. 

The  Cumberland,  however,  although  it  had  commenced  sinking 
after  the  second  thrust  from  the  klerrimac,  still  continued  her  fire, 
working  every  gun  above  the  water-line,  as  one  after  another  be- 
came submerged.  As  she  was  actually  going  down  prow  foremost, 
one  of  her  after-guns  was  discharged  at  her  impenetrable  fee. 
Nothing  in  all  history  can  compare  with  this  incident  except  the 
heroism  of  a French  frigate  sinking  in  the  harbor  of  Toulon,  which 
after  receiving  broadside  upon  broadside  from  an  enemy’s  fleet,  re- 
turned the  fire  while  going  down,  amid  the  soul-stirring  strains  of 
the  Marsellaise. 

In  addition  to  the  disasters  of  the  first  day’s  fight,  the  steam- 
frigate  Minnesota  grounded  in  attempting  to  relieve  her  unfortunate 
associates.  The  rebel  vessels,  after  engaging  her  ncaily  three 
hours,  inflicting  serious  damage  (although  the  Merrimac  was  unable 
to  approach  nearer  than  a mile),  withdrew  toward  Norfolk. 

At  nine  o’clock  p.m.  on  the  evening  of  the  8th,  the  ^Ionitok, 
having  just  arrived  from  New  York,  where  it  had  been  built  and 
equipped  for  service,  anchored  off  Fortress  Monroe.  It  was  im- 
mediately sent  to  Newport  News,  to  protect  the  harbor,  as  well  as 
to  defend  the  Minnesota,  which  was  still  aground. 

On  Sunday  morning,  March  9th,  as  the  haze  which  covered  the 
waters  cleared  away,  the  Merrimac,  the  Yorktown,  and  the  Patrick 
Henry  were  seen  stationed  off  Sewell’s  Point. 

At  seven  a.m.  the  Merrimac  steamed  in  the  direction  of  the 
klinnesota,  the  Yorktown  and  Jamestown  slowly  following,  and  con- 
tinued her  course  until  within  three  miles  of  her  intended  prey. 
The  Monitor  now  made  her  appearance  upon  the  water,  emerging 
from  behind  the  Minnesota,  and  approaching  the  Merrimac.  When 
within  a mile  of  each  other,  the  Merrimac  fired  a shot  at  the  Mon- 
itor; the  Monitor  returning  it,  hitting  the  Merrimac  near  the 
water-line.  The  battle  now  opened  in  earnest ; the  Merrimac  firing 
rapidly,  engaged  both  the  Minnesota  and  the  ^Monitor,  but  chiefly 
the  latter,  first  throwing  a shot  from  her  stern  gun.  and  then  a 
broadside. 

The  contest  having  been  carried  on  in  a desultory  manner  for  an 
hour  or  two,  the  opposing  iron-clads  came  to  closer  quarters  about 
ten  o’clock.  The  Merrimac  poured  two  broadsides  in  rapid  suc- 
cession upon  her  antagonist.  The  Monitor  replied.  The  fire  now 
became  so  rapid,  that  the  smoko  from  the  guns  enveloped  both 


NORFOLK 


‘Xt-w  llr. 


^ort  KH  cron  I 


gfaj^i 


»ifu6-jjj 


:riUh« 


_-^Gdi^i*  nronuifl 


<j)u-'»r.-tul?i»(*. 


iniluTt* 


Norfoll 


X()I(F()Uvy_^i 


Hampton  Hoads,  T’a. 


11 


vessels  in  a thick  cloud.  Tlie  Monitor  emerging  from  the  dnrKncss 
bears  aloft  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  seen  through  the  gloom  like  sun- 
shine ill  the  midst  of  a storm.  After  this  extraordinary  duel 
between  the  iron-clads,  the  Minnesota  joined  in  firing  upon  the 
^Merrimac,  throwing  nine-inch  solid  shot,  the  rebel  leviathian  reply- 
ing with  shells.  The  'Whitehall  also  poured  frequent  diseharges 
tqnin  the  enemy.  The  Merriinac,  however,  directed  its  fire  chiefly 
against  the  Minnesota,  which,  being  still  firmly  imbedded  on  the 
shoals,  presented  the  best  mark.  But  the  Monitor  maintained  a 
position  between  them  ; and,  like  a heroic  warrior  sheltering  with 
his  own  trusty  armor  the  body  of  his  more  vulnerable  comrade, 
defended  the  Minnesota  from  the  remorseless  attack  of  the  de- 
stroyer tif  the  Congre.ss  and  Cumberland. 

The  lilcrrimac  made  several  attempts  to  pass  beyond  the  Monitor 
and  run  down  the  Minnesota,  but  the  latter  with  its  iron  sides 
warded  olF  the  impending  danger.  At  length  the  infuriate  foe, 
wearied  with  futile  elTorts,  and  despairing  of  her  prey,  ran  her 
prow  directly  against  the  Hanks  of  her  mailed  antagonist.  Both 
vessels  reeled  with  the  shock;  but  the  Monitor  recovering  its 
poise,  swept  around  unharmed. 

The  scene  which  now  follows  is  one  of  beauty,  could  it  he 
divested  of  its  tragical  character  ; but  thus  ebnsidered,  perceptions 
of  beauty  rise  to  emotions  of  sublimity.  The  opjiosing  vessels 
glide  round  and  round  each  other  in  fearful  circles,  throwing  their 
deadly  volleys  with  unerring  precision,  yet  scarcelr  inflicting  per- 
ceptible injury.  At  length,  about  mid-da^q  the  sides  of  the  Alerri- 
mac  are  pierced  by  the  Monitor,  and  the  unwieldy  monster  turning 
toward  Sewell’s  Point,  steams  slowly  away.  Her  antagonist  fol- 
lows; but  the  Alerrimac,  taken  in  tow  by  her  more  nimble  consorts, 
ingloriously  escapes  the  wrath  of  the  pursuer.  Thus  terminated 
the  most  interesting  and  novel  engagement  of  modern  times,  one 
that  excited  the  wonder  and  admiration  of  the  world. 

'fhe  losses  of  the  Unionists,  except  on  the  Monitor,  were  severe. 
This  famous  battery,  however,  boro  its  crew  safely  tlirough  the 
fiery  oi'deal.  But  its  gallant  commander.  Lieutenant  Worden,  was 
slightly  injured  in  the  eyes,  while  looking  through  a loop-hole  in 
the  j)ilot-house,  by  dust  and  splinters  thrown  in  by  the' explosion 
of  percussion  shells  in  the  vicinity. 

4 


78 


N'ew  Madrid^  Mo. — Mewbcrn,  M.  C. 


UEW  MADRID,  MO. 

JIakcii  13,  1862. 

Unionist^.,  nn<Jer  Gener<d  Pope,  12,000.  Killed  and  loounded,  51. 

Disunion  land  force,  under  Oenerala  ^tcCown,  Stuart,  and  0,000.  Naval 

force,  under  Commodore  Hollins,  Killed,  over  100;  wounded,  unknown. 

CiENKiiAi^  Pope  having  cullectod  his  forces  in  ilissouri,  amount, - 
jng  to  twelve  thousand  men,  commenced  an  overland  march  toward 
New  Madrid,  on  the  Mississippi.  Arriving  at  that  place  on  the  3d 
of  March,  he  invested  it  on  the  land  side.  Shoi-riy  aftei',  ho  sent 
a detachment  to  Point  Pleasant,  twelve  miles  below,  which  con- 
structed battei  ies  and  rillc-pits,  thus  hlockading  the  river  and  cut- 
ting off  the  enemy’s  transports. 

In  the  mean  time  the  enemy  threw  more  troops  int(j  New  Madrid, 
thus  increasing  the  defensive  force  to  nine  thousand  men,  with  a 
large  supply  of  ai'tillery  and  nine  gun-boats.  The  place,  therefore, 
■was  too  strongly  defended  to  be  assailed  without  great  sacrifice  of 
life.  Siege  operations  were  then  resorted  to.  Four  heavy  guns 
were  therefore  provided  and  jjlaced  in  position  on  the  night  of  the 
12th  of  lilarch,  and  such  earth-works  constructed  as  to  prove  a 
strong  protection  to  a besieging  force. 

On  the  following  morning,  at  daybre.ak,  the  enemy  were  aroused 
by  the  thunder  of  the  Union  guns  within  eight  hundred  yards  of 
their  position.  The  fire  w.as  answered  with  energy,  and  the  con- 
flict maintained  throughout  the  day.  Toward  night  the  enemy 
began  to  feel  the  eficct  of  the  bombardment,  and  under  the  cover 
of  darkness  evacuated  the  place. 

--  


. WEWBERN,  N.  C. 

March  14,  1862. 

Union  land  force,  under  General  Burnside,  8,000.  Naval  force,  under  Com- 
mander PouHUi.  Killed,  91 ; wounded,  466. 

DifiUuionUts,  under  General  Branch,  9,000.  Killed,  100;  wounded,  200;  7niss~ 
in(/,  200. 

The  expedition  against  Newbern,  tbe  former  cai)ital  of  tbe  State 
of  North  Carolina,  sailed  on  the  12tb  of  Jlarcb.  and  reached  its 
destin.atiou  on  the  14tb.  Tmmcdi.ately  after  disembarking  at  tbe 
mouth  of  Slocum  Creek,  twelve  miles  below  Newbern,  tbe  troops 
took  up  their  line  of  inarch  for  tbe  point  of  attack.  The  flotilla, 
advancing  simultaneously  with  tbe  army,  sailed  up  tbe  river  as 
tbe  latter  marched  along  the  road. 


79 


jSfeicbern^  IST.  6' 


Tlie  enemy  liacl  planted  heavy  batteries  on  the  shores  of  the 
creek,  and  had  obstructed  its  channel  by  sinking  schooners.  The 
fleet,  however,  passed  despite  of  these  obstacles. 

About  eight  o’clock  the  engagement  opened.  Fearlessly  riding 
along,  General  llurnside  gave  his  orders.  After  a contest  of  four 
hours,  the  Union  forces  succeeded  in  conquering  a continuous  lino 
of  field-works.  These  were  lu’otcctod  on  the  neighboring  river- 
bank  by  a battery  of  thirteen  heavy  guns,  and  on  the  opposite 
bank  by  a line  of  redoubts  for  rifle-men  and  field-pieces,  over  half 
a mile  in  length,  and  buried  in  the  midst  of  swamps  and  dense 
forest.  These  formidable  works  were  defended  by  eight  regiments 
of  infantry,  five  hundred  cavalry,  and  three  batteries  of  field  artil- 
lery of  six  guns  each. 

After  determined  resistance  the  position  was  carried  by  a most 
gallant  charge  of  tlie  Union  men.  This  achievement  enabled  them, 
by  rapidly  advancing  tiie  entire  force  up  the  main  road  and  the 
railroad,  to  gain  the  I'ear  of  all  the  batteries  between  the  point  of 
attack  and  Newborn.  Meantime  the  fleet  sailed  up  the  river, 
throwing  its  shot  into  tlie  forts  and  in  front  of  the  troops. 

The  enemy,  after  retreating  in  great  confusion  across  the  railroad 
bridge  and  road,  burned  the  former  and  destroyed  the  draw  of  the 
latter.  Thus  further  inirsuit  by  the  Unionists  w.as  prevented,  and 
delay  occasioned  in  their  inilitai'y  occupation  of  the  town.  The 
naval  force,  however,  had  arrived  at  the  wharves,  and  commanded 
the  place  witli  their  guns.  General  Foster’s  brigade  advanced  at 
once  to  take  possession  of  the  town  by  means  of  the  naval  vessels 
which  Commander  Rowan  had  volunteered  for  the  purpose. 

In  many  places  the  city  was  set  on  fire  by  the  retreating  force. 
The  remaining  citizens,  co-operating  with  the  naval  officers,  aided 
in  extinguishing  the  flames. 

With  Newborn,  the  coinhined  forces  captured  eight  batteries, 
containing  forty-six  heavy  guns,  and  three  batteries  of  light  artil- 
lery of  six  guns  each,  making  in  all  sixty-four  guns;  also  ten 
steamboats,  a number  of  sailing  vessels,  and  a great  quantity  of 
military  stores. 


80  Hattie  of  Whi  Chester,  Va. 

BATTLE  OF  WINCHESTER,  VA. 

Mauoii  22  AND  23^  1862. 

VnioDifttfi,  nvilcr  General  ShieUh^  7,000.  Killed^  103  ; wounded^  441  ; misnUig,  24. 
l)is}iiii(n}i-<ts,  under  General  T.  J.  Jaekaont  10,000.  Killed,  wounded, 
iniatiingy  20u. 

'With  tlie  intention  of  leading  the  enemy  to  believe  that  the 
main  body  of  the  Union  forces  had  advanced  to  Centreville,  Gen- 
eral Sliields  made  a reconnoissance  in  force  to  Strashurg.  Falling 
hack  upon  AVinchestcr,  he  gave  his  brilliant  movement  all  the  ap- 
pearance of  a retreat.  The  last  brigade  of  the  first  division  of 
Banks’  corps  d'arince,  General  Williams  commanding,  took  its 
departure  for  Centreville  by  way  of  Berryville,  on  the  morning  of 
the  22d,  leaving  General  Shields’  division  and  the  Michigan  Cavalry 
in  AVinchester.  Ashby’s  cavalry  observing  this  movement  from 
a distance,  concluded  that  AVinchester  was  being  evacuated,  and 
signalized  Stonewall  Jackson  to  that  effect.  But  the  Union  army 
saw  their  .signal  fires  and  divined  their  import. 

On  the  evening  of  the  22d,  about  live  o’clock,  they  attacked  and 
drove  in  the  Federal  ])ickets.  General  Shields  immediately  put 
his  command  under  arms,  and  pushed  forward  one  brigade  and  two 
batteries  of  artillery  to  compel  their  retirement,  and  to  keep  them 
deceived  as  to  the  Union  strength.  AVhile  directing  a battery  to 
its  position  he  was  struck  by  the  fragment  of  a shell,  which  fi-ac- 
tured  his  arm  above  the  elbow  and  otherwise  severely  injured  him. 
The  enemy  driven  from  their  position,  Shields’  forces  withdrew  to 
AVinchester. 

Under  cover  of  night,  Kimh.all’s  brigade  was  pushed  fi)rward 
nearly  three  miles  on  the  Strashurg  road,  and  Daum’s  artillery  was 
posted  in  a strong  position  to  support  it.  Sullivan’s  brigade  was 
placed  in  the  rear  of  Kimball’s,  and  in  supporting  distance,  cover- 
ing all  the  approaches  to  the  town  by  the  Cedar  Creek,  Front 
Koyal,  Berryville,  and  Romney  ro.ads.  P>roadhead’s  cavalry  and 
Sullivan’s  brigade  were  held  in  reserve,  so  as  to  sustain  the  force 
in  front  at  any  point  where  it  might  he  attacked.  These  disposi- 
tions being  made,  the  Union  army  rested  for  the  night,  knowing 
that  all  the  approaches  to  the  place  were  etfectually  guarded. 

The  next  day  a battery  on  the  I'chel  right  opened  on  the  Union 
position,  and  indications  of  a force  of  infantry  in  that  quarter  were 
manifest.  Convinced  of  this  fact.  General  Shields  pushed  forward 
Sullivan’s  brigade  to  dispute  the  advance  of  the  enemy’s  right 
wing.  A fire  of  artillery  oj)ened  on  both  sides,  but  at  too  great  a 


81 


Battle  of  ^Yinehcster,  Fa. 


distance  to  be  very  effective.  The  rebels  commenced  the  action. 
Pushing  a few  more  guns  to  tlieir  riglit,  supported  by  a consider- 
able force  of  infantry  and  cav.alry,  it  was  evident  they  intended 
fr^nfilading  the  position  of  the  Union  army  and  turning  its  left 
flank.  The  Eighth  Ohio,  Colonel  Carroll,  and  a portion  of  the  Si-Kty- 
seventh  Ohio,  were  immediately  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers, 
on  both  sides  of  the  valley  road,  to  resist  the  advancing  foe. 

Admirably  supported  by  four  j)ieccs  of  artillery,  under  Captain 
Jenks,  and  Sullivan’s  gallant  brigade,  this  united  force  repulsed  the 
enemy  at  all  points. 

Having  failed  in  the  attempt  against  the  Union  left,  the  assailants 
withdrew  the  greater  part  of  their  force  to  the  right,  and  formed 
it  in  reserve  to  support  their  left  flank  in  a forward  movement. 
Adding  the  original  reserve  and  two  hatteries  to  the  main  body, 
and  .advancing  with  this  combined  column,  under  the  shelter  of  tho 
bridge  on  the  left,  the  enemy  seemed  determined  to  turn  tho  Union 
right  flank  or  overthrow  it. 

Despite  the  admirable  management  of  the  Union  batteries  on 
tbe  opposite  ridge,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  D.aum,  they  were 
found  unable  to  resist  the  advance  of  such  a formid.ablc  body.  All 
the  disjiosable  infantry,  therefore,  was  immediately  thrown  forward 
to  enable  the  Union  idght  to  carry  the  enemy’s  batteries,  and  to 
assail  and  turn  his  left  flank  ami  hurl  it  back  on  tho  center.  This 
movement  was  intrusted  to  Tyler’s  s[)lendid  brigade,  which  under 
its  fearless- leader  marched  forward  with*flacrity  to  the  perilous 
performance  of  this  duty.  Driven  before  this  force  the  enemy’s 
skirmishers  fell  back  upon  the  main  body',  which  was  strongly 
posted  behind  a high  and  solid  stone  wall,  situated  on  elevated 
ground.  It  was  from  theji'^enacity  with  which  this  position  was 
held,  that  the  sobriquet  of  Stonewall  was  bestowed  upon  Jackson, 
the  commander  of  tho  insurgent  forces. 

At  this  point  tbe  struggle  became  despenate  and  doubtful.  Ty- 
ler’s brig.ado,  joined  on  the  left  by  the  Fifth  Ohio,  Thirteenth  Indi- 
ana, Sixty-second  Ohio,  Fourteenth  Indiana,  Eighty-fourth  Penn- 
sylvania, and  seven  companies  of  the  Seventh,  and  three  of  tho 
Eighth  Ohio,  dashed  upon  the  enemy  with  prolonged  cheers  and 
yells  that  drowned  tho  roar  of  the  cannon.  Desperately  as  the 
enemy  fought,  they  were  forced  back  through  the  woods  by  a Are 
that  kept  up  one  continued  train  of  destruction.  The  invincible 
Jackson  and  his  Stonewall  brigade  and  the  accompanying  brig- 
ades were  driven  precipitately  upon  their  reserves. 


82 


Shiloh,  or  Pittsburg  Landing. 

Taking  up  a new  ])osition  for  a final  stand,  an  attempt  was  made 
by  tlio  enemy  to^trieve  tlie  fortunes  of  the  day.  But  tlie  same 
destructive  lire  again  rained  down  upon  tliem,  and  again  tb6  can- 
non’s roar  was  lost  amid  the  cheers  and  yells  that  rang  out  from 
the  Union  army.  Resisting  this  tide  of  victory  only  for  a few 
minutes,  the  enemy  tied  in  disorder,  leaving  the  U.iion  forces  in 
Ijosscssion  of  a brilliantly  contested  field.  For  the  first  time  the 
famous  Stonewall  Jackson  was  defeated  ; and  the  gallant  General 
Sliields,  the  hero  of  Gerro  Gordo,  added  fresh  laurels  to  his  former 
brilliant  wreath. 




SHILOH,  OR  PITTSBURG  LANDING. 

April  6 and  7, 18C2. 

Vni(yi\UtH^  und^r  ■GcixeruU  Grant  and  J2nell^  C5,000.  Killed.,  1,G14;  wounded^ 
7,721  ; mifiSinijy 

Disunionist-'i,  under  GeneralH  A.Hijduey  JohnUon  and  Beauregard,  Kill- 

ed, about  1,72S';  'wounded,  12,U(J0;  niineing,  yO'J. 

General  Grant  having  taken  command  of  the  Southwestern 
forces  on  the  17th  of  ^larch,  subsequently  established  his  liead- 
quarters  at  Savannah,  Tenn.  Thence  the  divisions  of  his  army 
were  sent  gradually  to  Pittsburg.  General  Buell  arrived  at 
Savannah  on  the  Cth  of  April,  and  his  division  was  on  the  battle- 
field early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th.  The  Confederates  had  de- 
signed to  attack  Grant  belbro  being  j()ine<l  by  Buell,  lleaihig  of 
his  arrival  they  precipitated  the  battle  without  waiting  for  rein- 
forcements. 

Pittsburg  Landing  is  a narrow  ravine,  down  which  a road 
passes  to  the  river  bank,  between  high  bluffs  on  each  side.  It  is 
an  entirely  uninhabited  place.  Beyond  the  river  is  a rolling  coun- 
try, cut  up  with  numerous  ravines.  A road  extends  twenty  miles 
from  the  landing  to  Corinth.  A mile  or  two  out,  this  road  divides 
into  forks;  one,  known  as  the  lower  Corinth  road;  the  othei-,  as 
the  Corinth  ridge  road.  Another  road  curves  otf  a short  distance 
to  the  left,  and  crosses  Lick  Creek,  leading  back  to  the  river  at 
Ilamburg,  some  miles  up  the  stream.  Besides  tliese,  other  roads 
intersect  the  whole  country  that  formed  the  battle-field. 

At  distances  of  from  two  to  five  miles  from  Pittsburg  Landing  lay 
several  divisions  of  General  Grant’s  army.  The  rebel  army  was 
commanded  by  General  Johnston  with  Beauregard  second  m com- 


JATTLE  (if  ? g[r3IL@[Ml 


Shiloh,  or  Pittsburg  Landing. 


85 


mand.  Three  of  its  corps  were  individually  led  by  Hardee,  Polk, 
and  Bragg;  while  Breckinridge  commanded  the  reserve. 

Friday  and  Saturday  preceding  the  battle,  the  Confederates 
marched  out  of  Corinth  in  splendid  style,  furty-live  thousand  strong. 
It  was  their  plan  to  cut  up  Grant’s  army  first,  and  leave  Buell  with 
his  Kentucky  forces  to  come  up  in  time  to  share  the  disasters  of 
the  defeat. 

So  suddenly  was  the  attack  in.ade  by  the  enemy  that  his  artillery 
began  to  open  on  the  outer  camps  simultaneously  with  the  arrival 
of  the  pickets  they  had  driven  in. 

Their  onset  was  opposed  by  the  divisions  of  Sherman  and  Pren- 
tiss. But  the  resistance  was  feeble;  and  so  unexi)ectedly  were  the 
Unionists  tissailed,  that  the  panic  which  overcame  them  continued 
through  their  dispersed  ranks  during  the  entire  day.  Sherman  and 
Prentiss  strove  nobly  to  inspire  them  with  confidence,  and  wero 
partially  successful.  In  the  mean  time  the  rebel  hordes,  fiushed 
with  their  success,  made  fearful  havoc  among  the  Federal  camps. 

A scene  ensued  wdiich  will  never  be  foi'gotten  by  those  who  wit- 
nessed it,  and  can  never  be  realized  by  those  who  read  this  feeble 
descri[)tion.  The  att.acking  party  W'ore  wild  with  fury  and  success; 
while  the  surprised  were  paralyzed  with  the  sudden  onslaught  of 
the  ferocious  foe.  Amid  the  slaughter  w hich  follow'od,  the  sleep- 
ing, the  sick,  the  wounded,  the  dying  were  all  put  to  the  sword 
with  those  who  were  suddenly  aroused  to  the  fight. 

The  Union  forces  ultimately  recovered  from  this  panic,  to  meet 
the  enemy's  movement  upon  Sherman’s  center.  The  rebel  tioops, 
covered  by  their  artillery,  .advanced,  by  heavy  battalions  of  infan- 
tiw,  obliquely  to  the  left,  across  the  o])en  field  in  front  of  the  Fifty- 
third  Ohio;  while  their  solid  columns  came  in  directly  upon  Sher- 
man’s front.  The  entire  line  now  o[)cned  fire,  and  the  battle 
became  general.  With  the  design  to  left-llank  Sherman,  tlio  enemy 
flung  himself  with  all  his  force  iqion  Prentiss.  The  l apid  sound  of 
musketry  and  artillery  announced  that  Prentiss  was  engaged,  but 
soon  again  ho  was  falling  back.  Regiment  after  regiment  gave 
way,  until  after  a desperate  struggle  around  AVaterhouse’s  battery, 
the  enemy  captured  it  in  their  mad  charge. 

The  Union  left  was  now  turned.  Colonels  McDowell  and  Buck- 
land,  however,  held  their  ground  until  ten  o’clock  a.ji.  The  foe 
at  this  time  brought  his  artillery  to  the  rear  of  the  Union  left  flank. 
Hildebrand’s  brigade  was  in  disorder;  regiment  after  regiment  fled 
to  the  rear.  Taylor’s  battery  receiving  orders  to  fall  back  as  far  as 


8G 


Slaloh.  or  Pittsburg  Paneling, 


tlio  Pii.nly  aixl  Ilixinbiirg  road,  McDowell  and  Ibicklnitd  were 
directed  to  adopt  that  road  as  their  now  line.  At  the  cross  roads 
Bell r’s  battery  was  ordered  into  action  on  the  right.  AVIiilo  giv- 
ing the  order,  the  gallant  captain  was  .shot  I'roin  his  horse.  To 
add  to  this  disaster,  the  drivers  and  gunners  ignoininionsly  fled, 
abandoning  five  out  of  six  guns.  Gaining  this  hattery  tlie  enemy 
pressed  on,  forcing  the  Unionists  to  adopt  another  line  of  defense. 
Hildebrand’s  brigade  had  mainly  disajjpeared  from  the  field,  though 
its  heroic  leader  still  remained  supported  by  the  fragments  of  the 
regiment  subject  to  his  personal  command.  Buckland  and  Mc- 
Dowell, maintaining  their  organizations,  joined  lilcCleimand’s  right. 

General  Prentiss  re-formed  his  lines,  hotly  pressed  by  the  enemy. 
But  his  brigade,  with  the  brigades  of  Hildebrand  and  McDowell, 
was  in  a most  perilous  situation,  and  ultimately  the  fortunes  of  the 
day  told  sadly  n[)on  it. 

llurlhurt’s  division  acting  as  a reserve  saved  the  army  from  an 
early  defeat.  His  line  afforded  a protection  behind  which  the 
divisions  of  Prentiss  and  iSherman  could  re-form. 

The  battle  continued  with  unahating  fury  and  disaster  to  tlio 
Union  army.  At  three  o’clock  the  Federal  gun-boat  Tyler  opened 
lire;  and  then  the  Le.xington  came  up,  and  joined  in  the  cannon- 
ade from  a position  half  a mile  above  the  landing.  At  five  o’clock 
every  division  of  the  Union  army  had  been  repulsed.  Almost  all 
the  camps  were  occu[)ied  by  the  rebels.  The  struggling  remnant 
of  the  Union  troops  had  been  driven  within  half  a mile  of  the 
landing.  A deep,  rapid  river  stretched  its  angry  waters  in  their 
rear,  llefore  them  was  an  enemy  Hushed  with  victory. 

Suddenly  the  enemy  fell  hack  on  the  center' for  nearly  a mile. 
Wheeling  around,  he  threw  his  entire  force  on  the  left  wing,  with 
a resolute  determination  to  end  the  fearful  combat  before  reinforce- 
ments could  arrive.  Amid  the  terrible  din  of  battle  his  exultant 
shouts  suddeidy  burst  forth  ; but  they  were  soon  mingled  with  the 
joyous  cheers  of  the  Unionists,  in  announcing  the  arrival  of  Buell! 

Wallace’s  division  held  firmly  the  Union  lines  in  the  enemy’s 
last  dcs|)erato  attemi)t  to  breude  them.  While  forcing  his  way 
through  a cross-fire,  this  intrepid  leader  fell  mortally  wounded. 

Eight  thousand  of  Lew  Wallace’s  men  now  advanced  upon  t-ho 
battle-field.  The  hopes  of  the  Unionists  revive.  Itangiug  them- 
selves in  advance  of  the  troops  who  had  borne  the  heat  and  bur- 
den of  the  day,  these  scarred  veter.ans,  exhausted  from  their  forced 
marches,  prepared  themselves  for  the  bloody  combat. 


87 


Shiloh,  or  Ihttshurg  Zicuiding. 

Meantime  the  gnn-boats  steamed  np  to  command  a range  where  ' 
the  rebels  were  attacking  the  Union  left,  and  poured  in  a destruc- 
tive lire. 

With  the  nninterriipted  successes  of  the  morning,  the  confidence 
of  tlie  enemy  in  their  complete  triumph  could  hardly  bo  shaken 
by  any  thought  of  a reverse,  much  less  of  a defeat.  What  was 
their  astonishment,  then,  when  they  were  met  by  the  slaughtering 
fire  of  AV allace’s  reinfoi'cements.  Terrible  indeed,  and  thrice  ter- 
rible was  this  day ! But  now  the  battle  tide  has  turned.  The  new 
forces  begin  to  tell  on  the  over-confident  foe.  He  falls  slowly  back, 
and  as  he  retraces  his  steps,  the  fire  from  his  guns  lights  up  the 
road  toward  Corinth. 

During  Sunday  night  the  bombardment  of  the  gun-boats  h.ad 
compelled  a change  in  the  position  of  tiio  rebel  army.  'I’ho  Union 
divisions  were  ra|iidly  ]>ut  in  motion.  The  confiict  was  opened 
early  by  shelling  a rebel  battery  which  had  caused  much  annoy- 
ance. Nelson,  commanding  the  left  wing,  moved  his  division  about 
the  time  AVallace  opened.  After  skirmishing  over  an  interval  of 
nearly  a mile,  it  came  upon  the  enemy  in  force. 

The  U?iion  troojis  advanced  slowly  but  steadily  over  the  field 
covered  with  dead.  Nelson,  pushing  forward  his  lines  under  a 
sharp  musketry  fire,  ])ursued  the  rebels,  until  sheltered  by  heavy 
timber  and  by  their  artillery  they  made  a general  rally.  Their 
forces  were  now  hurled  heavily  and  unc.xpcctcdly  against  the  ap- 
]iroaching  line,  and  entire  ranks  were  driven  back.  At  this  juncture 
Ten-y’s  regular  battery  dashed  up,  and  instantly  threw  destructive 
shell,  from  twenty  four-pound  howitzers,  into  the  midst  of  the  foe. 

The  turning  point  of  the  battle  on  the  left  was  now  apparent. 
The  enemy  rushed  on,  rending  the  air  with  their  cries.  Horses 
were  killed  at  the  batteries,  and  the  men  at  the  howitzers  ])icked 
off,  leaving  only  the  gallant  Captain  Terry  and  a single  cor[)or.al  to 
work  the  guns.  A dashing  charge  of  a Union  regiment  repairs 
this  damage.  Artillery  and  musketry  now  eng.age  in  a desperate 
duel  at  close  range.  The  enemy  beginning  to  waver,  the  Unionists 
press  on  pouring  in  volley  after  volley.  Buell  lides  np,  and  is 
loudly  cheered.  He  gives  his  orders  in  a clear,  firm  voice:  “For- 
ward by  brigades!”  The  men,  obeying,  leaiicd  forward  at  double 
quick,  with  a yell  that  echoed  above  the  roar  of  battle.  The  enemy 
fell  back  until  the  front  camps  on  the  left  were  reached,  and  soon 
cleared.  The  rebels,  swept  back  over  the  ground  they  had  won 
with  heavy  loss,  fell  into  direful  confusion. 


88 


Capture  of  Island  No.  10. 


Crittenden’s,  ^IcCook’.s,  and  Slierman’s  divisions  advanced  suc- 
cessively. 'I'lio  left  was  saved  ; tlio  center,  i>rotecte(l.  Tlio  Union 
brigades  began  to  catcli  the  rays  of  victory  belbre  tliey  burst  forth 
in  the  glad  sunshine  of  triumph. 

Grant  orders  Sherman  to  reca[)tnre  liis  camps.  In  obedience  to 
this  order,  Sherman  moves  forward,  and  by  this  movement  attracts 
the  fire  of  a battery.  At  ten  o’clock  his  right  comes  up.  Sweep- 
ing across  the  field,  he  is  intercepted  by  a storm  of  musketry  and 
grape,  and  falls  back  in  good  order.  Again  starting  he  reaches  the 
woods.  Here  the  Louisiana  battei  y was  turned,  and  subsetiuently 
it  tied.  Other  rebel  batteries  followed,  and  Wallace’s  division 
pushed  forward.  Uefore  them  were  broad  fallow  fields,  then  a 
woody  little  ravine,  succeeded  by  cornfields  and  woods. 

I The  left  brigade  was  ordered  foi-ward,  when  the  Louisiana  steel- 
rifled  guns  0|)ened  on  them.  Their  sharp  roar  was  soon  silenced, 
the  .artillerists  killed,  aiid  “forward”  the  brigade  moved,  lleach- 
ing  the  ^^■oods — their  every  step  intercepted  by  the  enemy’s  tire — 
they  met  the  rebels  face  to  face.  After  a close  contest  they  were 
])i-ecipitately  driven  back.  Fight  after  fight  ensued.  Sherman  at 
one  time  driven  back  to  the  right,  Wallace’s  think  at  another  time 
exposed,  a hand-to-hand  combat  over  a battery,  then  .a  rebel  force 
overcome  and  pursued  flying — such  were  the  alternate  stages  of  the 
fearful  conflict.  The  closing  act  was  the  triumphant  captui'o  of  the 
ground  and  camps  from  which  the  Union  arni^had  been  driven 
the  previous  day.  The  des[)erate  foe,  savagely  holding  the  field  ho 
had  so  cxultingly  won,  was  in  tni'ii  swept  from  his  position. 

The  victory  was  achieved  ; anil  the  name  of  PiTTSiiuno  Landing, 
with  all  its  bloody  memories  and  heart-piercing  associations,  is 
written  in  characters  of  living  light  upon  the  banners  of  the  trium- 
phant host. 

CAPTURE  OF  ISLAND  NO.  10. 

Ai-i;ii.  t,  1SG2. 

XJn  ionUtR^  nnder  General  Pope  artd  Ckanmodore  Fooic.^  12,000.  Lorr  unimportant, 
PUunioniHtSy  under  General  Jlakall^  nearlj  7,000.  Killed^  IT ; wounded^  many  ; 

priaonerSy  0,800. 

Island  No.  10  is  situated  in  the  corner  of  a bend  of  the  Mis- 
sissipiii  which  touches  the  border  of  T'ennessee,  a few  miles  fartlier 
u|)  the  river  than  New  ^Madrid,  although  nearly  southwest  of  that 
jilace.  The  elevation  of  the  river  here  is  about  two  hundred  feet 
above  the  level  of  its  delta  or  mouth. 


Capture  of  Island  No.  10.  8CI 

The  Union  forces  Laving  been  established  in  two  strong  positions 
below  Island  No.  10,  the  next  object  was  to  reduce  it,  as  well  as 
the  shore  batteries  on  the  river.  ^ 

The  canal  across  the  peninsula,  opposite  the  island,  was  com- 
pleted by  Colonel  llissell’s  engineer  regiment,  and  four  steamers  were 
brought  through  on  the  night  of  tlio  OLli.  Tlio  lieavy  batteries 
tlirown  up  below  Ti|)tonvillo  completely  commanded  the  lowest 
point  of  the  high  ground  on  the  Tennessee  shore,  and  entirely  cut 
oir  the  enemy’s  retreat  by  water.  Ciiptaiii  "Walker  with  the  gun- 
boat Carondelet  ran  past  the  rebel  batteries  on  the  night  of  the  4th. 
On  the  night  of  the  Gth  the  gun-boat  Pittsburg  also  ran  the  block- 
ade. The  Union  transports  were  brought  into  the  bayou,  where 
they  had  been  kept  concealed,  at  daylight  on  the  7th,  and  Paine’s 
division  landed.  The  canal  was  a work  of  prodigious  labor.  It  was 
twelve  miles  long,  six  miles  of  which  led  through  heavy  timber 
that  had  to  be  sawed  otf  by  hand  four  feet  under  water. 

The  enemy  lined  the  shore  opposite  witli  batteries,  extending 
from  Island  No.  10  to  Tiptonvillo,  Merriwmtliers’  Landing,  to  pre- 
vent the  Union  army  passing  the  i-iver. 

At  daylight  on  the  7th,  Captain  "Walker  ran  down  with  the  two 
gun-boats  to  the  point  selected  for  crossing,  and  silenced  the  enemy’s 
batteries  near  it.  This  service  was  gallantly  performed,  and  Gene- 
ral Pope  bore  ample  testimony  to  the  brilliant  success  of  Captain 
"Walker’s  co-operation. 

The  boats  containing  Paine’s  division  now  moved  out  from  the 
landing  and  began  crossing  the  river.  The  passage  of  this  wide, 
furious  stream  by  the  Union  troops  was  a magnificent  spectacle. 
By  twelve  o’clock  on  the  night  of  the  7th,  all  the  forces  designed 
to  cross  had  succeeded  in  getting  over,  without  delay  or  accident. 

"With  the  crossing  of  the  Union  forces,  the  enemy  began  to  evac- 
uate Island  No.  10  and  his  batteries  along  the  shore.  The  Federal 
divisions,  lead  by  Paine’.s,  were  pushed  forward  to  Tiptonvillo  as 
fast  as  they  landed.  The  foe  were  driven  before  them;  and, 
although  they  made  several  attempts  to  form  in  line  of  battlo  and 
bold  their  position.  General  Paine  did  not  once  deploy  his  colutnns. 
All  night  the  enemy  were  j)ushed  vigorously  ; uutil  at  four  o’clock 
A.M.  they  were  driven  back  upon  the  swamps  aud  forced  to  sur- 
render. 

The  siege,  which  comnuvneed  on  the  Ibth  of  March,  ended  on 
the  7th  of  April  ; and  Island  No.  10,  with  its  powerful  gtirrison, 
eighty  heavy  cannon,  thirty  pieces  of  light  artillery,  5,000  stands 


90 


Fort  Pulaski^  Ga. 


of  arms,  and  an  iininenso  quantity  of  ammunition  and  supplies, 
tents,  horses,  wagons,  etc.,  etc.,  fell  into  Union  hands. 


FOET  PULASKI,  GA. 

April  11,  1862. 

ITnionists^  ‘iindc.r  General  ITunter ; siege  operations  under  Captain  {since  Gciieral) 
Gillniore ; numbers  not  reported.  Killed^  1;  ioounded^\. 

IHsunionistSy  urnXer  Colonel  Olmsteady  tii/oa^400.  Killedy  0;  woundedy^  \ pris- 
onerSy  860. 

Fout  rui.ASKi,  commanding  the  sea  approaches  to  the  city  of 
Savannah,  is  built  on  Cockspur  Island,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Savan- 
nah River,  fourteen  miles  below  the  city. 

A series  of  batteries  had  been  erected  on  Tybee  Island,  most  of 
them  a mile  or  more  distant,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  (now 
General)  Gillmore,  for  the  reduction  of  this  fort. 

On  the  morning  of  April  10th  preparations  for  the  attack  were 
completed.  Major-General  Hunter,  having  succeeded  General  Sher- 
man in  tlie  command  of  the  Department,  dispatched  a flag  of  truce 
to  the  fort,  demanding  its  surrender.  The  commander  of  the  fort, 
Col.  Clias.  II.  Olmstead,  replied  to  the  summons  by  saying,  “I  am 
here  to  defend  the  fort,  not  to  surrender  it.”  The  reply  being  re- 
ceived, the  signal  was  given  to  open  fire.  The  report  of  the  first 
mortar  from  battery  Halleck,  fired  under  the  direction  of  Lieut. 
Porter,  announced  tlie  beginning  of  the  bombardment.  Following 
this  discharge  another  mortar,  from  battery  Stanton,  on  the  extreme 
right,  opened,  succeeded  rapidly  by  others  in  the  order  prescribed. 
Remaining  silent  for  several  minutes,  tlie  fort  then  fired  four  guns, 
in  quick  succession,  at  the  upper  batteries.  On  the  Union  side,' 
the  line  of  fire  rolled  gradually  along  the  beach,  extending  to  the 
right  and  left,  until  all  the  batteries  but  Scott  were  fairly  unmask- 
ed. Fiom  embrasures  and  barbette  the  fort  replied  vigoi'ously, 
directing  its  aim  chiefly  at  the  batteries  on  King’s  Landing  and  on 
Unrnside  and  Sherman  in  the  center. 

During  tlic  first  morning,  the  fire  from  Fort  Pulaski  was  main- 
tained with  vigor  and  regularity;  but  it  was  soon  discovered  tliat 
the  guns  in  the  casemates  could  not  reach  the  batteries  below 
Scott.  Occasional  shots  from  the  barbette  passed  over  batteries 
Lincoln  and  Lyon,  but  none  went  beyond  them.  The  thirteen- 
inch  mortars  on  the  Union  side,  from  which  much  had  been  ex- 
pected, were  at  too  great  a distance  to  be  effective,  most  of  their 


91 


ice’s  3Iills. 

shell  exploding  in  the  air  or  falling  outside  of  tlie  fort.  Tlie  co- 
lunihiads,  fired  at  great  elevation,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
rdouze,  were  doing  elfective  service.  They  were  meant  to  breach 
the  magazine  in  the  rear  of  the  fort.  The  rebel  flag,  hoisted  on  a 
very  tall  staff,  was  shot  away  at  eleven  o’clock.  At  its  fall,  cheers 
went  up  from  all  the  batteries.  Another  flag,  on  a low  stafi',  was 
rai.seil  at  the  north  angle  of  the  fort.  During  the  aftci'iioon  the 
lire  slackened  on  both  sides,  and  after  sunset  not  more  than  seven 
or  eight  shells  an  hour  w'ere  thrown. 

At  da}  light  on  Friday  morning  the  bombardment  reopened  with 
fresh  vigor.  From  the  fort,  the  barbette  guns  were  directed,  with 
precision  and  rapidity,  at  the  upper  batteries.  The  work  of  breach- 
ing was  resumed  with  determination.  The  effect  became  imme- 
diately apparent  in  the  enlargement  of  the  two  embrasures  on  the 
left  of  the  southeast  face.  The  batteries  now  concentrated  their 
fire  mainly  on  the  rapidly  widening  breach,  and  wrought  serious 
damage. 

About  twelve  o’clock  Commodore  Rodgers  pointed  all  his  guns 
at  the  barbette,  which  maintained  a most  vigorous  cannonade.  In 
half  an  hour  its  wrathful  discharges  were  effectually  silenced  and 
the  guns  of  the  'Wabash  were  turned  upon  the  breach.  So  exten- 
sive had  this  become,  that  orders  had  already  been  given  to  have 
scaling-ladilcrs  in  i-eaditiess  to  storm  the  fort  in  case  of  its  non-sur- 
render. But  Pulaski,  with  all  its  stubborn  resistance,  could  not 
withstand  the  continued  hurricane  of  shells  descending  through  its 
massive  and  blackened  walls.  Accordingly,  on  Friday  afternoon, 
it  was  surrendered  with  its  garrison,  unconditionally. 


LEE’S  MILLS 

April  16,  1862. 

under  General  McClellan.  Killed.,  85;  uounded.,  120;  9. 

IH^funionista^  under  General  Lee,  Killed  and  wounded^  100. 

Tins  engagement  occurred  in  an  attem])t  to  capture  a battery  of 
the  enemy’s  between  Lee’s  and  Winn’s  Mills.  The  situation  was 
nearly  midway  between  the  .James  and  York  rivers.  Warwick 
Creek,  which  flows  in  front  of  the  rebel  works,  had  been  hero 
dammed  up,  and  the  enemy  had  constructed  rifle-pits  and  ])laut,cd 
a battery  on  the  ojiposite  side.  A field  surrounded  by  dense  forests 
extended  in  their  front.  The  Unionists  advancing,  a brisk  engage- 


92 


]<\)rt  Mcicxm^  Beaufort^  JV.  C. 


incnt  ensued.  Mnslcctry  and  ai-tillcry  poured  deadly  volleys  upon 
tlie  foe,  .and  were  re]'lied  to  hy  liis  batteries. 

In  order  to  test  bis  sti'Ciigtli  General  McClellan  decided  to  make 
a tborougli  demonstration.  Ayer’s,  Wlieeler’.s,  klott’s.  and  Ken- 
nedy’s batteries  were  ordered  forward  to  the  open  field,  and  a heavy 
cannon.ade  was  speedily  developed  on  both  sides.  Finding  that  the 
creek  was  fordable  on  the  right,  the  Union  batteries  ceased  their 
work,  and  Colonel  Hyde,  commanding  the  Third  Vermont,  then  in 
the  advance,  w.as  ordered  to  send  a portion  of  his  command  across 
the  stream  and  charge  the  rear  of  the  enemy’s  work.  The  vigi- 
lant foe,  however,  h.ad  anticipated  tho  movement;  and  raising  a 
flood-gate,  inundated  the  creek,  so  as  to  immerse  the  men  crossing 
tho  ford,  to  tho  arm-pits,  and  destroy  their  ammunition.  In  this 
defenseless  situation  a fire  was  opened  upon  them  from  tho  rifle- 
pits  on  tho  banks.  One  Iialf  their  number  fell ; the  remainder, 
undaunted,  rushed  upon  the  rebels,  with  their  bayonets ; but,  cut 
otr  from  su|)[)orts,  the  contest  was  murderously  unequal,  and  only 
a remnant  of  the  gallant  force  returned. 

Failing  in  this  desperate  attempt,  tho  Fcder.al  batteries,  whose 
fire  had  been  suspended,  now  o|)ened  in  full  force.  The  Sixth  Ver- 
mont, Colonel  Lord,  dashed  into  the  water,  and  within  a few  yards 
of  the  breast-works  they  encountered  a fearful  succession  of  volleys 
from  a thousand  rifles.  Uut  unmoved  by  tho  discharge,  they 
ste.adily  j)ushed  on,  and  replied  with  telling  cfl'ce.t.  'Watci-  benc.ath 
and  around  them,  the  leaden  messengers  of  death  cutting  through 
their  ranks,  and  an  angry  foe  confronting  them,  the  gallant  Ver- 
monters had  still  no  thought  of  retreat.  Ilut  tho  enemy  was 
reinforced,  and  now  met  them  with  overwhelming  numbers. 
Nothing  remained,  therefore,  but  fur  the  regiment  to  withdraw, 
which  was  accomplished  with  little  disorder,  bringing  ofl"  their 
wounded.  The  rebels,  ultimately  finding  their  position  untenable, 
abandoned  it. 

FORT  MACON,  BEAUFORT,  N.  C. 

Apr.lL  25,  ]S02. 

ITniomstb,  under  Oenerals  Burnside  and  Parker^  consisting  of  one  brigade. 
Killed y 1 ; wounded y 11. 

BisunionistSy  v.nder  Colonel  Whiidy  470.  Killedy  7 ; ivoundedy  18. 

An  expedition,  under  General  Parker,  for  the  capture  of  Beau- 
fort, left  Newbern  on  the  20th  of  March.  Arriving  at  Morehead 


) DAVID  GLASCOE  FARRAGUT,  ? 

{ Yicc-Ailniiral  U.  S.  N.,  born  July  5,  1801,  at  CanipboH’s  Station,  near 

; Knoxville,  'I'enn. ; entered  the  navy  in  1812  ; was  in  the  light  in  the  harbor  i 

'!  of  A'^alparaiso,  IMai'ch  28,  181-1,  and  wounded;  laont.,  Jan.,  1821,  on  duty 

i on  West  India  and  15ray.il  Stations,  and  at  Norfolk  Navy  Yard,  till  1833  ; ; 

Lient.-Goniinander,  1833  ; on  Brazil  and  West  India  Stations  till  18-11  ; Com-  \ 

) niander,  1841,  on  the  Decatur  (Brazil  Station)  ; from  1842  to  1847,  on  leave  ( 
I of  absence,  or  in  Norlblk  Navy  Yard  ; on  the  Saratoga  (Home  Squadron),  ) 

i till  1850  ; Ass’t  Inspector  of  Ordnance,  1851-4  ; in  1854,  commandant  Mare  ; 

’ Island  Navy  Yard,  California;  Ca[)t.,  1855  ; in  1858-00,  in  command  of  the  i 

i Brooklyn  (Home  S((uadron)  ; left  Norfolk',  on  account  of  his  loyally,  in  ;■ 

i April,  1801  ; orgatiized  s(|uadron  to  capture  New  Orleans,  late  in  1801  ; sail-  \ 

j ed  Feb.  3,  1802  ; bombarded  I’erls  Jackson  and  J’hilip  six  days;  ran  past  ( 

i them,  destroying  the  Hebei  licet;  captured  New  Orleans  April  20,1802;  ; 

attacked,  but  could  not  caj)ture,  Yickslmrg,  June  27  ; commanded  WYst  j. 
i Cult  Blockading  Squadron  ; Ilear-Admiral,  July  11,1802;  passed  batteries  ( 
of  Fort  Hudson,  1\I arch  1-1,  1803,  with  the  Hartford  and  Albatross,  losing  ? 
the  Mississippi  ; Aug.  5,  1804,  he  attacked  the  forts  at  entrance  of  ]\lobile  j 
) Bay,  ca])turing  the  Tennessee,  Hebei  ironclad,  and,  during  the  month,  the 
three  forts  ; Nov.,  1 804,  resigned  command  ; Jan.  1 , 1805,  the  rank  of  Yicc-  ; 
; Admiral  was  created,  and  he  was  jiromoted  to  it.  } 


Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip — Pfcw  Orleans.  96 

City,  a mile  and  a half  from  the  fort,  on  the  23rd,  a fla?  of  truce 
■was  dispatched  to  the  rebel  works  demanding  its  surrender,  Com- 
pliance with  tliis  demand  was  refused,  and  preparations  were  im- 
mediately made  for  its  reduction. 

The  fort,  situated  on  a high  bluff,  completely  commands  the  har- 
bor channel.  The  force  destined  to  operate  against  it  was  landed 
on  Ihiguo  Island.  On  tlio  11th  of  j\])ril  the  ])ickcts  of  the  enemy 
were  driven  in.  Positions  having  been  selected  for  tlio  erection  of 
the  batteries,  the  work  wiis  steadily  j)rosccutcd  night  and  d.ay  in 
the  face  of  the  enemy’s  fire.  Four  ten-inch  mortars  were  mounted 
within  fourteen  hundred  3'ards  of  the  fort;  three  thirty-two-pound 
siege  Parrott  guns,  at  thirteen  hundred  yards ; and  four  eight-inch 
mortars,  at  twelve  hundred  yards. 

General  Burnside  arrived  on  the  24th,  bringing  with  him  two 
barges,  each  armed  with  two  thirty-two-pound  Parrott  guns;  and 
anchored  three  miles  below  the  fort. 

The  surrender  of  the  fort  being  again  formally  demanded  and 
refused,  the  bombardment  commenced  early  on  the  following  morn- 
ing. The  Parrott  siege-guns  were  brought  to  bear  very  accurately 
upon  the  fort,  and  the  conical  balls  proved  terribly  destructive. 
Having  pierced  the  massive  walls  in  two  places,  they  quickly  dis- 
lodged the  gunners  from  the  c.asemates.  Fifteen  of  the  enemy’s 
guns  were  soon  dismounted.  The  gradual  slackening  in  the  fire 
of  the  fort  evinced  the  destructive  effect  of  the  Union  cannon  and 
mortars;  and  at  h.alf-past  four  p.m.  a white  flag  announced  the  fall 
of  Fort  Mticon.  All  its  contents  were  surrendered,  and  the  officers 
and  men  parolled. 


FORTS  JACKSON  AND  ST.  PHILIP-NEW  ORL^IANS. 

April  14  to  28,  1862. 

Union  land  forces,  under  General  B.  F.  Butler,  4,000 ; naval  forces,  under  Flag. 

Officer  Farragut  and  Captain  Porter.  Killed,  30 ; uounded,  198. 

Disunion  land  forces,  under  Generals  Mansfield  Lovell  and  BuggUs,  10,000  j 
naval  forces,  under  Commander  Hollins.  Killed,  185  ; wounded,  197;  prison- 
ers, 400.  , 

Tiik  combined  fleets,  under  Flag-Officer  Farragut  and  Captain 
Porter,  advanced  on  the  18th  of  Ajiril,  1862,  to  att.ack  the  fortiSca- 
tioiiB  at  the  approaches  of  Now  Orleans.  Their  force  consisted  of 
forty-six  vessels  of  all  kinds — twenty-six  composing  the  celebrated 
Porter’s  mortar-fleet,  each  carrying  a thirteen-inch  mortar  weighing 


96  Forts  Jachson  and  St.  Philip — Few  Orleans. 


seventeen  tliousaiul  i)c>uik13  arul  two  tIiirty-two-i)onn(ler  cannon. 
The  entire  naval  armament  comprised  two  hundred  and  eighty-six 
guns. 

i\s  tlio  advancing  fleet  came  in  r.ange  of  Fort  Jackson,  at  nine 
o’clock  in  the  morning,  the  ponderous  guns  of  the  latter  opened 
fire  ; the  naval  armament  replied  in  reverberating  thunders.  The 
hombardment  continued  for  six  days  and  five  nights,  with  unabat- 
ing interest.  During  this  time, ‘seven  thousand  five  hundred  mor- 
tar shells  were  thrown,  each  mortar  averaging  about  eighty  per  day. 

On  Sunday,  the  20th  inst..  General  Ihitlcr,  commanding  four 
thousand  troops,  proceeded  with  the  attempt  to  execute  his  part  of 
the  plan.  In  case  the  forts  were  not  reduced,  and  a portion  of  the 
fleet  should  get  by  them,  it  had  been  arranged  between  General 
Butler  and  Flag-Officer  Farragut,  that  the  former  should  make  a 
landing  from  the  gulf  side,  in  the  rear  of  the  forts,  at  the  quaran- 
tine, and  thence  storm  Fort  St.  Philip,  while  the  fleet  continued 
the  bombardment. 

(.)n  the  morning  of  the  24th  Iho  Flag-Oniccr  decided  to  pass  the 
fort,  and  reach  the  city  by  the  reduction  of  the  other  defenses.  In 
this  hazardous  undertaking,  the  invincible  leader  pushed  fearlessly 
on.  A tempest  of  shot  and  shell  from  fort,  steamers,  and  floating 
batteries  poured  down  upon  him  in  unceasing  wrath  as  he  advanced, 
while  fire-rafts  were  set  adrift  to  burn  his  ships.  The  whole  number 
of  vessels  that  Farragut  could  command  for  running  this  terrible 
gauntlet  was  nineteen,  the  mortar-boats  being  too  sluggish  for  such 
service ; and  against  these  was  now  arrayed  the  combined  navy  of  the 
Confederacy  and  all  the  auxiliaries  of  destruction  which  long  prep- 
aration had  secured  for  the  defense  of  the  Crescent  City.  The  ter- 
rible contest  was  maintained  for  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes.  But 
the  ships  passed  the  forts,  and  the  enemy  committed  to  the  flames 
all  the  vessels  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city;  the  very  waters  seemed 
on  lire  with  the  conflagration  which  overspread  them.  Cotton 
and  all  valuables  likely  to  fall  into  the  Union  haiuls  were  destroyed. 
Having  i)assed  the  forts,  the  fleet,  after  great  rc.sistance,  silenced 
numerous  shore  batteries.  Anchoring  for  the  night  eighteen  miles 
below  the  city,  its  wharveS  were  reached  on  the  following  day. 
Situated  lower  than  the  ships  and  the  river,  it  was  at  the  mercy  of 
the  fleet.  In  the  absence  of  the  military  commandant  of  the  city, 
its  surrender  was  left  to  the  municipal  authorities. 

On  the  night  of  the  27th,  General  Butler  learning  that  the  fleet 
had  the  city  under  its  guns,  left  General  Williams  in  charge  of  the 


I 

i 


I 


99 


WilUamshitrg,  Va. 

landing  of  tlie  troops,  and  went  up  the  river,  to  the  flag-ship,  in 
order  to  procure  liglit-draught  transportation.  That  night  the 
larger  portion  of  the  garrison  of  Fort  Jackson  surrendered,  declar- 
ing that  as  the  Union  forces  had  got  into  their  rear,  resistance  was 
useless,  and  tliey  would  not  be  sacrificed. 

The  olTiccrs  of  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  surrendered  to  Cap- 
tain Porter.  'While  ho  was  negotiating  with  the  coininundcrs  of 
the  forts,  liowever,  the  rebel  naval  ofllcers  put  all  their  munitions 
of  war  on  the  Louisiana,  fired  her,  and  sent  her  adrift  toward  the 
Harriet  Lane ; but  when  opposite  Fort  St.  Philip  she  exploded,  kill- 
ing one  of  their  own  men  by  the  fragments  which  fell  into  the  fort. 

General  Butler,  in  taking  possession  of  the  forts,  found  them  sub- 
stantially as  strong  as  before  the  bombardment.  Fort  St.  Philip 
was  uninjured. 

The  Union  losses  in  men  were  about  225.  Besides  these  casual- 
ties, the  gun-boat  Vanina  and  one  mortar-boat  were  sunk,  and 
several  other  vessels  much  injured.  The  enemy’s  fleet,  including 
three  rams,  was  nearly  destroyed,  and  the  great  steam  iron-clad 
battery  blown  up. 

On  the  28th  General  Butler  took  possession  of  the  city  and 
declared  martial  law. 

• 


WILLIAMSBURG,  VA. 

Mat  5,  1862. 

Unionists,  under  General  McClellan.  Killed,  280 ; wounded,  833 ; prisoners,  623. 
DUunionisU,,  under  GcneralJohnsiou^  25,000.  Killed  wounded^  1,000; 
priaoners^  800. 

The  rebel  army,  having  evacuated  Yorktown,  fell  back  toward 
'Williamsburg,  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  the  4th  of  May.  A 
body  of  cavalry,  followed  by  light  artillery,  was  immediately  dis- 
patched in  pursuit,  it  being  determined  to  harass,  and,  if  possible, 
to  interrupt  their  retreat.  About  noon,  also,  several  divisions 
consisting  chiefly  of  infantry  were  sent  forward. 

The  cavalry  followed  close  upon  the  rear-guard  of  the  enemy, 
and  engaged  it  in  several  skirmishes;  but  after  advancing  about 
six  miles,  halted  to  await  the  coming  of  the  infantry.  Tlio  condi- 
tion of  the  roads,  however,  satur.atcd  with  heavy  rains  and  cut  up 
by  the  previous  passage  of  the  rebel  army,  rendered  them  nearly 
impassable.  Consequently  it  was  late  in  the  day  before  the  main 
body  came  up,  exhausted  with  dragging  through  the  deep  mud, 


100 


Williamshitrg,  Va. 


anil  drenched  with  exposure  to  the  still  prevailing  storm.  The 
attack  in  force,  therefore,  was  postponed  until  the  following  day; 
and  the  toil-worn  soldiery,  grasping  their  arms,  lay  down  to  rest 
upon  the  wet  and  cheerless  earth. 

The  approaches  to  Williamsburg  were  strongly  fortified.  The 
roads  from  Hampton  and  Yorktown — which  meet  in  an  open  plain 
about  two  and  a half  miles  from  the  village,  after  passing  througli 
a forest — were  commanded  by  an  extensive  bastioned  work  known 
as  Tort  Page,  or  Fort  Magrudor,  having  a sweep  of  the  plain  at  all 
points  of  the  compass.  On  both  sides  of  the  fort  was  a line  of 
redoubts,  thirteen  in  nunibei;,  extending  across  the  peninsula  and 
connected  by  rifle-pits. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  Union  troops,  aroused  from 
their  muddy  bed,  were  on  their  march  through  the  woods.  General 
Hooker’s  division  was  in  advance;  and  as  it  a])proached  the  open 
plain,  was  greeted  with  a storm  of  grape  and  cannon-balls  from 
Port  P.agc.  A battery  was  at  once  ordei-ed  forward  to  respond  to 
the  rebel  fire,  but  became  fixed  in  the  mud,  and  one  of  the  guns 
was  abandoned.  Tlie  rebel  infantry,  which  were  opposing  the  ad- 
vance of  the  Union  troops  through  an  abattis  of  fallen  timber  tliat 
skirted  the  woods,  now  pushed  a column  into  the  thicket  on  their 
right,  and  pouring  a deadly  Hank-fire  into  the  ranks  of  their  oppo- 
nents, compelled  them  to  retire.  General  Hooker’s  men  struggled 
nobly  against  the  disadvantages  tliey  met;  but  the  enemy  encour- 
aged with  having  foiled  their  efforts,  bronglit  up  continual  rein- 
forcements, until  his  numbers  amounted  to  overwhelming  odds. 

The  Union  forces  gradually  increasing,  the  liglit  became  exceed- 
ingly obstinate.  At  an  early  period  of  the  engagement,  it  was 
perceived  that  the  enemy  were  endeavoring  to  turn  the  Union  left, 
and  a detachment  was  ordered  forward  to  prevent  tlie  movement. 
A fearful  struggle  ensued  ; but  the  regiments  opposed  to  the  en- 
emy, being  frequently  relieved,  maintained  their  ground  with  great 
firmness.  The  Seventieth  New  York  regiment  especially  distin- 
guished itself,  charging  with  irresistible  ardor  u[>on  the  force  which 
confronted  it,  and  putting  it  to  ilight.  Hut  at  length,  sorely  press- 
ed by  rebel  reinfoi’cements,  it  was  nearly  swept  from  the  field. 
Twenty-two  of  its  thirty-three  commissioned  officers  were  killed 
or  wounded;  and  its  commander.  Colonel  Dwight,  with  many  of 
his  men,  were  taken  prisoners. 

The  battle  had  now  become  of  grand  proportions.  The  surging 
columns  of  the  enemy  dashed  against  the  Union  lines  with  terrible 


U.  S.  A.,  Iioi’ii  ill  ri\ila(lrl|)lii:i,  I )cc.  182();  f^iiuliialcd  iiL 
\\'ost  I’oiiil,  Juno  JO,  IBJG,  sccoiul  in  liis  class;  JJrcvct  2(l-J/icnl.  ]Migincevs, 
1840  ; (lislinguislied  liiinscH'  in  Mexican  War  ; 2d-Lieut.  I’ing.,  April  24, 1847  ; 
IJrevct  Ist-Lieut.,  Aug.  20,  1847  ; Brevet  Capt.,  Sept.  8,  1847,  ami  Sept. 
12,  1847;  commandant  Sappers  and  Miners,  &c..  May  22-Jnno  22,1848, 
con.siructor  at  Bort  Delaware,  1851  ; Inst.  Bayonet  Exercise,  1852  ; in  Red 
River  Expedition,  1852-  3 ; Ist-Lient.,  July,  1853  ; Capt.  1st  Cavalry,  March 
3,1855;  sent  to  Crimea,  April,  1855;  made  reiiort,  1857;  resigned,  Jan. 
1 (),  1857  ; Vicc-l'res't  and  CliieC  Eng.  111.  (Jent.  R.  R.,  and  Aug.,  18G0,  Gen. 
Siip't  Ohio  ifc  Miss.  R.  R. ; Major-Gen.  Ohio  ISl ilitia,  April,  1801 ; j\Iajor- 
Gcn.,  U.  S.  A.,  May  10,  1801  ; General-in-Chief,  Nov.  1,  1801;  July  23, 
1802,  besieged  A'orktown  ; directed  battles  of  '\\'’illiamsl)urg  and  "West  Point, 
IMay  5,  1802  ; Seven  Pines  and  Fair  Oaks,  May  31  and  Juno  1st,  1802  ; 
battles  of  Seven  Days,  June  20  to  July  1,  1802;  retreated  to  Harrison's 
Landing  ; ordered  (hence  to  Alexandria,  Aug.,  180)2  ; pursued  Lee  into  ]\ld. ; 
fought  battles  of  South  ^Mountain,  Sept.  14,  and  Antietam,  Sept.  17,  1802  ; 
followed  Lee  slowly  into  A'a. ; relieved  of  command  Nov.  0, 1802  ; ordered  to 
report  at  'I'lenton.  1 (eld  no  subsc(|ueiit  command.  Candidate  of  Dcmocratio 
jiarly  for  President,  1801  ; defeated  at  election,  Nov.  8,  1804;  resigned  his 
Major-Generalship  same  day ; rvent  to  Europe  Jan.  25,  1805,  where  he  still 
remains. 


103 


IVilliamshurg,  Va. 


momentnm,  but  were  met  with  unyielding  firmness.  About  three 
o’clock  the  Unionists  were  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  the 
veteran  Ileintzelman’s  corps;  and  about  four  o’clock,  by  that  of 
Kearny's  division.  The  troops  of  the  latter  replaced  the  exhaust- 
ed lines  of  Hooker,  which  were  withdrawn  from  the  contest.  It 
was  a dispiriting  sight  ns  the  wounded  of  the  latter  were  borno 
past  them  in  lengthdncil  files,  and  the  air  was  filled  witli  thoir 
agonizing  cries.  Hut  as  tlio  Kcdcral  bands  broke  forth  witli  familiar 
national  airs,  the  groans  of  the  disabled  were  in  many  cases  ex- 
changed for  cheers ; and  with  these  inspiring  sounds  I'inging  in 
their  ears,  the  new-comers  rushed  upon  the  field  with  the  wildest 
enthusiasm,  and  the  foe  was  driven  headlong  before  their  onset. 

While  the  terrible  struggle  previously  mentioned  was  raging  upon 
the  left,  a movement  of  extraordinary  hazard,  but  of  the  utmost 
consequence,  was  ordered  upon  the  Union  right.  The  bold  ma- 
neuver was  intrusted  to  General  Hancock.  Passing  northward 
with  his  brigade,  for  a mile,  parallel  to  the  Union  front  and  bidden 
by  a forest,  and  thence  across  a heath,  he  moved  upon  the  extreme 
left  of  the  enemy’s  line  of  works.  Here  the  rebels  had  dammed  a 
small  tributary  of  the  York  River,  and  across  the  narrow  cause- 
way which  obstructed  its  current  frowned  an  imposing  earth-work 
fiom  a neighboring  hill.  This  singular  fortification  was  fmind  dc^ 
serted.  The  skirmishers,  proceeding  across  the  dam,  planted  the 
Federal  flag  upon  the  defenseless  parapet;  and  the  whole  force 
quiekly  moved  to  the  west  side  of  the  stream.  Turning  to  the 
left  and  following  a narrow  and  dangerous  road  through  a gorge 
in  the  hillside,  it  emerged  at  length,  from  the  east,  on  the  open 
battle-field. 

A grand  picture  was  spread  out  before  it.  Two  miles  distant. 
Hooker  was  still  fighting  the  rebels,  on  the  farther  side  of  Fort 
Page;  while  its  artillery  and  the  opposing  infantry  were  pouring 
a steady  fire  upon  his  lines.  Between  Hancock  and  the  fort  were 
two  redoubts,  at  intervals  of  half  a mile.  Their  garrisons,  on  see- 
ing him,  quickly  retreated  ; but  made  a determined  stand  near  the 
fort.  His  force  was  but  little  more  than  five  thousand,  and  wholly 
separated  from  the  main  body.  If  overpowered  in  front,  retreat 
through  the  narrow  gorge  behind  them  would  be  impossible.  A 
regiment  was  s('on  in  the  second  redoubt,  the  old  ll.'ig  was  floating 
over  it,  and  eight  cannon  were  o[)encd  from  thence  iqion  the  field 
beyond.  Shortly  after,  an  out-work  between  this  and  Fort  Pago 
was  carried;  and  the  Union  guns,  at  a distance  of  six  hundred 


lot 


West  Pointy  Fa. 


yards,  were  directed  against  the  latter  and  on  the  woods  at  the 
north  through  wliich  a rebel  force  was  retreating. 

For  nearly  an  hour  after,  an  artillery  contest  was  maintained 
chiefly  with  the  fort;  and  Ilancoch’s  infantry  remained  passive 
spectators,  waiting  a favorable  moment  for  assault.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  rebel  infantry,  fully  engaged  with  Hooker,  gave  little  at- 
tention to  this  quarter ; and  the  apparent  lull  in  the  storm  of  battle 
was  construed  by  many  into  an  unexpected  retreat. 

Suddenly,  however,  there  burst  from  the  woods  on  the  right  flank 
a battalion  of  rebel  cavalry ; then,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
cavalry,  three  regiments  of  infantry.  But  Hancock  was  on  the 
•alert.  Forming  Ids  men  to  resist  the  attack,  he  poured  in  a terrific 
fire  upon  the  swiftly  advancing  foe.  The  latter,  however,  disch.arg- 
ing  frequent  volleys,  and  rending  the  air  with  cheers,  swept  gal- 
lantly on.  But  when  within  two  hundred  yards,  word  w.as  given 
for  the  solid  Union  j)halanx  to  ch.argo.  The  whole  line  swept  for- 
ward as  the  reaper’s  sickle  rushes  through  the  opposing  grain.  Its 
keen  eilge  had  not  yet  touched  the  enemy,  when  his  ranks  broke 
simultaneously,  iled  in  confusion  to  the  rear,  and  the  field  of  Will- 
iamsburg was  won. 

The  effect  of  Hancock’s  charge,  in  the  panic  and  rout  of  the 
rebels,  was  already  becoming  felt  in  front  of  Hooker’s  division, 
when  Kearny’s  reinforcements  came  to  its  relief.  The  struggle, 
therefore,  was  brief ; and  long  before  the  evening  sun  declined,  the 
field  was  swci)t  of  the  retreating  foe. 

The  loss  of  the  Unionists  in  killed  and  wounded  was  nearly 
1,100;  in  prisoners,  over  600.  That  of  the  rebels,  except  in  pris- 
oners, was  much  more  severe. 




WEST  POINT,  VA 

Mat  7,  1862. 

Unionists^  'tinder  GeneraU  Franklin  and  Sedgxoick.  Killed^  not  rc^portut ; wound> 
aly  about  300  ; prisaners^  600. 

DiHunioniatSy  under  General  WJiiting.  1,000. 

AFest  Point  is  the  name  given  to  the  landing-place  .at  the  head 
of  York  Kiver,  thirty  miles  above  Yorktown. 

Simultaneously  with  the  advance  of  the  main  body  of  General 
McClellan’s  army  on  AYilliamsburg,  General  Franklin’s  division, 
having  embarked  on  transports,  ascended  the  York  River  to  AVest 
Point,  arriving  there  at  two  o’clock  p.m. 


West  jPoint,  Viz. 


105 


The  shallowness  of  the  water  rendering  an  approach  to  the  land- 
ing difficult,  the  troops  were  disembarked  by  means  of  pontoon 
boats,  but  owing  to  the  delay  thus  caused  did  not  reach  the  shore 
till  midnight. 

Pickets  were  immediately  posted  in  tlie  woods  in  front,  and  trees 
were  thrown  across  the  roads  leading  to  tlio  landing-place.  The 
jiickcts  were  occasionally  engaged  during  the  night ; but  only  threo 
of  the  Federal  soldiers  were  killed.  The  hours  till  dawn  were 
spent  in  active  labors,  and  in  carefully  watching  the  movementa  of 
the  foe. 

At  half-past  three  o’clock  tne  entire  division  was  under  arms, 
The  enemy’s  approach  was  announced  at  half-past  six,  and  the 
troops  prepared  at  once  to  meet  them.  The  Second  United  States 
Artillery  was  on  the  right  of  the  advance,  wdth  Porter’s  Massa- 
chusetts battery.  The  foe,  however,  jiresscd  heavily  upon  the 
left,  and  the  Union  forces  were  cpm[)ellcd  to  fall  back.  The  enemy 
were  thus  brought  in  range  of  the  Federal  gun-boats,  the  vigorous 
fire  of  which  threw  their  ranks  into  confusion  and  forced  them  to 
retire. 

The  loss  of  the  rebels  was  jiresumed  to  be  heavy,  as  they  were 
seen  from  the  transports  carrying  olf  their  dead  and  wounded  in 
great  numbers.  Most  of  the  Union  regiments  suffered  severely, 
and  many  of  their  men  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The 
defeat  of  the  Confederate  force  was  mainly  due  to  the  timely  serv- 
ice rendered  by  the  gun-boats. 

The  battle  continued  till  two  o’clock  r.M.  The  Thirty -second 
New  York  Volunteers  displayed  marked  bravery  in  an  obstinate 
struggle  with  the  enemy  in  the  woods.  While  crossing  a ravine 
at  the  entrance  of  the  forest,  the  rebel  skirmishers  fired  upon  them. 
They  charged  at  once,  delivering  a galling  lire  u|)on  the  enemy’s 
position.  The  foe  lied,  the  Union  troops  pursuing  till  they  camo 
upon  a second  ravine.  As  the  latter  attem[)ted  to  cross  it,  the 
rebels  again  hurled  a destructive  fire  upon  them.  The  enemy  were 
repulsed,  however,  but  not  till  they  had  inflicted  considerable  loss. 
Jhey  again  fell  back  behind  a third  ravine ; wdiere  they  had  erected 
breast-works,  from  which  grape  and  canister  were  poured  upon  the 
gallant  Thirty-second,  who  charged  up  within  a few'  feet  of  tho 
work.  Finding  tho  force  too  powerful  to  bo  successfully  attack- 
ed, tho  assailants  retreated  in  admirable  order.  Newton’s  brigade, 
of  which  the  Thirty-second  formed  a part,  lost  about  two  hundred 


men. 


106  Farmington^  Miss. 

Captain  Montgomery,  of  Newton’s  staff,  had  a most  extraordi- 
nary escape,  liaving  been  entrapped  within  tlie  rebel  picket  lines. 
They  supposed  bo  was  a rebel  ollicer,  and  asked  liiin  liow  far  Gen- 
eral Hampton  was  fi'om  them.  Montgomery  told  them  he  had 
left  him  about  ten  rods  distant,  and  said,  “ The  General  expects 
you  to  do  your  duty  to-day!”  Turning  to  retire,  the  “ U.  S.”  on 
his  cap  caught  the  eye  of  the  enemy,  and  as  he  was  dashing 
rapidly  forward,  a volley  of  Minie  riflo  balls  whistled  around  him, 
his  horse  fell  dead,  and  ho  was  taken  prisoner.  AVhile  his  captors 
were  conveying  him  to  headquarters,  two  shells  bursting  in  their 
midst  dispersed  them,  and  enabled  the  Captain  to  reach  the  Union 
lines. 


FARMINGTON,  MISS 

May  11.  18(12. 

Unionists,  under  Oeneriil  Pope,  3 500.  Killed,  10  wounded,  103. 

Visunionists,  under  General  Jieaureijard,  20,000  to  80,000.  Losses  not  reported. 

For  the  first  time  during  the  war  a Union  army  had  advanced  by 
land  into  a Cotton  State.  General  Pope’s  troops  forming  the  left 
flank  of  General  llalleck’s  army,  now  proceeding  to  the  siege  of 
Corinth,  liad  invaded  the  borders  of  Mississippi.  The  green  forests 
of  oak  and  hickory,  with  their  rich  vernal  foliage,  were  here  inter- 
sected with  green  cotton-fields,  where  the  black,  withered  stock  of 
the  former  year  now  and  then  displayed  a white  tuft  remaining. 
Hesidc  the  jilanter’s  dwelling  were  skeleton  cotton-presses,  and  occa- 
sionally in  out-houses  and  sheds  a few  bales  of  the  great  staple 
itself. 

General  Pope’s  little  army,  composed  of  the  best-drilled  and  best- 
officered  men  in  the  service,  was  now  within  four  miles  of  Corinth. 
On  Thursday  he  led  out  a recounoissance  in  force,  wliich  drove  in 
the  rebel  pickets  and  approached  within  a mile  and  a half  of  Cor- 
inth, thus  enabling  his  engineers  to  obtain  information  for  miuuto 
maps  of  the  intervening  country,  and  make  actual  sketches  ot  the 
enemy’s  ftjrtifications. 

The  rebels  alarmed  by  this  bold  movement,  slept  on  their  arms 
that  night,  awaiting  an  attack.  In  the  morning,  none  having  been 
made,  they  sallied  out,  twenty  or  thirty  thousand  strong,  under  Gen. 
Beauregard;  Generals  Price,  Buggies,  and  Van  Dorn  being  in  sub- 
ordinate command.  A creek,  with  a swamp  halt  a mile  wide,  ex- 
tended in  front  of  General  Pope’s  camps.  One  brigade  was  on 


Fort  Darling — Drury's  Bluff,  Va. 


107 


picket  duty  beyond  tbis  swamp,  and  a second  bad  been  sent  out  to 
relieve  it,  wlien  tlie  enemy  made  tiie  attack.  These  two  brigades 
under  General  Palmer,  with  one  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  a section 
of  artillery,  held  the  ground  in  a contest  with  overwhelming  num- 
bers, for  more  than  four  hours. 

The  troops  all  behaved  admirably.  Tlie  Second  Iowa  made  a 
most  gallant  charge  ui)on  a rebel  battery,  in  which  it  lost  108 
horses,  and  a number  of  meti  wounded,  but  drove  off  the  foe. 

The  position  of  the  Union  troops  was  very  strong,  and  their 
commander  was  positive  of  his  ability  to  hold  it.  But  General 
llalleck’s  orders  not  to  bring  on  a battle  being  very  emphatic,  it 
was  impracticable  to  send  any  support;  and  as  the  enemy  had 
learned  something  of  the  quality  of  our  troops  after  four  hours’ 
fighting,  they  were  withdrawn  across  the  swamp.  The  rebels 
made  no  attempt  to  follow. 


FORT  DARLING-DRURY’S  BLUFF,  VA. 

Mat  15,  1862. 

Union  naval  force^  con^sting  of  three,  iron-^clads  and  two  wooden  gun-hoaU^ 
'tinder  ComrnaTider  John  Rodgei^s^  Killed,  82 ; loounded,  20. 

UiJtnnion  land  force,  under  Captain  Farrand,  numbers  not  reported.  Loss,  ac- 
cording to  rebel  reports,  killed,  5;  wounded,  7. 

About  the  middle  of  klay  a strong  naval  squadron  set  sail  from 
Fortress  Monroe,  for  an  ex[)edition  up  the  James  Iliver,  intending 
to  co-operate  with  General  McClellan  in  his  advance  on  the  rebel 
capital,  and,  if  possible,  to  reach  Richmond  and  capture  the  city. 
A detachment  from  this  squadron,  consisting  of  the  gun-boats 
Monitor,  Galena,  Naugatuck,  Port  Royal,  and  Aroostook,  under 
Commander  John  Rodgers,  proceeded  in  advance,  the  Galena  lead- 
ing the  way,  and  silencing  the  numerous  minor  batteries  that  lined 
the  shore.  The  fleet  having  reached  a point  in  the  James  River 
about  eight  miles  below  Richmond,  encountered  obstacles  that 
checked  its  farther  progress.  The  river  is  narrow  at  this  point, 
with  bold  shores,  from  which  formidable  batteries,  mounting  guns 
of  the  heaviest  caliber,  frowned  down  upon  the  hostile  vessels. 

On  approaching  Fort  Darling,  situated  on  a bluff  200  feet  above 
the  water  surface,  a tremendous  fire  was  opened  upon  the  Union 
gun-boats.  The  batteries  were  so  elevated  that  the  Federal  guns 
could  not  bo  ranged  etfectively.  The  contest  was  thus  rendered  un- 
equal, at  a distance  of  only  fifey  yards.  The  banks  of  tlie  river  were 


]08 


.Wmche&ter^  Fa. 


also  filled  with  rifle-pits,  from  which  an  incessant  fire  was  poured 
upon  the  fleet. 

The  largo  gun  of  the  Naugatuck  hurst  early  in  the  action,  and 
nineteen  wore  killed  by  the  explosion. 

The  iron-clads  Monitor  and  Galena  at  short  range,  and  the 
Aroostook  and  Port  Royal  at  long  range,  bombarded  tlie  fort 
fiercely  for  four  hours;  when,  ammunition  failing,  they  were 
obliged  to  retire.  The  kfonitor  though  repeatedly  struck  was  un- 
harmed, and  no  one  on  board  was  injured.  The  Galena  received 
twenty-eight  shots,  eighteen  of  wliieh  penetrated  her  armor,  it 
being  much  thinner  tlian  that  of  the  Monitor.  The  number  killed 
on  board  of  her  was  thirteen;  about  the  same  number  were 
wounded. 

The  slaughter  among  the  rebels  in  their  batteries  was  said  to  be 
terrible,  notwithstanding  the  advantage  they  had  over  the  Union 
gun-boats  in  the  plunging  fire  of  their  cannon. 




WINCHESTER,  VA. 

May  25,  18G2. 

UnionMs,  under  General  Banks,  about  5,000.  Killed,  SS",  wounded,  155;  misa= 
ing,  711. 

DUunionUts,  under  General  (^Stonewall)  Jackson,  about  18,000.  Losses  not  re- 
ported. 

On  the  23d  of  March,  General  Banks  having  defeated  the  rebel 
forces  under  Jackson  and  Longstreet  at  Winchester,  pursued  the 
retreating  foe  through  the  Shenandoah  valley  and  along  the  line  of 
the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  until  lie  reached  Ilarrisonburg^  Re- 
maining there  nearly  three  weeks,  he  received  an  order  from  the 
AVar  Department,  directing  him  to  send  two-thirds  of  his  corps  to 
reinforce  General  McDowell,  and  to  fall  back  to  Strasburg. 

The  order,  though  completely  annihilating  his  liopes,  was  prompt- 
ly obeyed,  and  Ik*  prepared  to  retire.  On  the  Kith  of  May,  with  his 
small  force,  he  turned  and  jiushed  on  by  rapid  marches  to  the  point 
of  destination.  It  was  necessary  to  hasten,  for  General  Jackson 
bad  gathered  a force  of  twenty  thousand,  on  the  eastern  branch  of 
the  Shenandoah,  intending  to  intercept  his  retreat  and  capture  the 
entire  army.  After  two  or  three  days’  march  ho  reached  Stras- 
burg, having  left  small  forces  at  difTerent  outposts. 

On  the  23d,  learning  that  the  detachment  at  Front  Royal  had 
been  mostly  cut  off,  and  that  an  overwhelming  body  of  rebels  was 


Hanover  Court  House,  Fa. 


109 


advancing  against  him,  he  determined  on  a retreat  to  Wincliester. 
Pusliing  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  he  reached  there  at  mid- 
night on  the  following  day. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  town  evinced  intense  malignity  on  his 
arrival,  and  'perpetrated  such  inhuman  outrages  on  some  of  his 
men,  that  the  rebel  General  Jackson  afterward*^rebuked  their  con- 
duct in  scvCTO  terms.  General  Banks,  satisfied  that  a further  re- 
treat, uidcss  the  enemy  were  checked  at  this  point,  would  bo  e(juiv- 
alent  to  a surrender,  determined  to  send  his  ti-ain  forward  at  once, 
place  his  troops  in  good  position,  give  battle  to  the  enemy,  and 
thus  delay  his  advance,  till  the  train  could  reach  a place  of  safety. 

Having  been  reinforced  by  about  twelve  hundred  men,  he  opened 
fire  on  the  advancing  foe  at  four  o’clock  a.m.  of  the  25th,  and 
fought  five  hours,  inflicting  heavy  losses  upon  his  antagonist.  Fall- 
ing back,  then,  in  good  order,  ho  continued  his  retreat  unmolested 
through  Martinsburg  and  across  the  Potomac,  fording  the  river 
about  noon  of  the  following  day.  Of  his  long  train  of  nearly  five 
hundred  wagons — the  preservation  of  which  wms  of  the  utmost 
importance — only  fifty-five  in  all  were  lost,  and  these  were  mostly 
burned. 

The  disaster  to  the  army  amounted  to  a reduction  of  its  effective 
force  by  about  1,000  men.  The  retreating  column  marched  fifty- 
three  miles,  thirty-five  of  it  in  one  day.  Viewing  all  the  circum- 
stances, a more  skillfully  conducted  retreat  has  seldom  been  re- 
corded in  history. 


HANOVER  COURT  HOUSE,  VA. 

May  29  18C2. 

Xfnioniats^under  Geney'al  j\rorell^  ono  division  {numbers  not  reported).  Killed^ 
53;  icoan  'ed  and  viissing^  82G. 

J>isnnionuts^  under  General  Branchy  numbers  not  stated.  Killed  and  tcounded 
about  4ll0;  prisoners^  over  600. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  Hanover  Court  House,  a village  on  the  Vir- 
ginia Central  Railroad,  si.xteen  miles  north  of  Rielimoud,  which 
had  been  occupied  by  the  rebels,  W'as  cajitured  by  a bold  movement 
of  General  Morell’s  division,  of  General  Fitz-Jolm  Porter’s  corps. 
The  division  set  out  from  their  camp  at  four  o’clock  m the  morning, 
in  a drizzling  rain,  which  icndered  the  roads  almost  impassable. 
After  an  e.xcessivcly  fatiguing  march  of  about  twelve  miles,  the 
advance-guard,  composed  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Now  York  with  ar- 


110 


Hanover  Court  Iluuse^  Va. 


tillery  and  cavalry  supports,  discovering  the  enemy’s  pickets  in 
front,  opened  fire.  Tlie  rebels  fell  back  slowly,  for  about  a iiiilo, 
to  their  main  body.  The  Tweuty-liftb  New  York,  in  the  ardor  of 
tlieir  pursuit,  were  not  oidy  some  distance  from  the  main  body, 
but  had  also  out-traveled  their  immediate  artillery  supports. 

Here  they  encountered  the  enemy  in  superior  force,  wbicli  partly 
out-llanke’d  them,  and  captured  a few  prisoners.  The  regiment, 
though  suffering  much,  maintained  its  j)osition  resolutely,  till  the 
batteries  arrived  and  comTiienced  firing.  The  rebels  believing  this 
to  be  the  entire  force,  dashed  forward  to  repulse  or  capture  the 
whole.  Before  they  could  execute  their  purpose,  however,  another 
Union  brigade  came  up,  cheering  as  they  advanced,  and  charged 
upon  them.  Surprised  by  the  unexpected  appearance  of  these 
troops,  the  enemy  wavered,  and  then  receiving  another  well-directed 
volley,  abandoned  their  cannon  and  fled  in  the  utmost  confusion 
to  Hanover  Coui't  House,  a distance  of  two  miles  and  a half. 

A large  number  of  rebel  prisoners  were  captured,  and  more  would 
have  been  taken  but  for  the  weariness  of  the  trooi)s,  who  had 
marched  eighteen  miles  without  rest  or  food. 

After  a lapse  of  two  hours,  fighting  was  again  resumed,  the 
scene  of  the  second  action  being  an  open  field  and  woods. 

The  Forty-fourth  New  York  regiment.  Colonel  Stryker,  was  or- 
dered to  advance  as  skirmishers  upon  the  woods  in  front ; they  liad 
not  gone  far  when  they  saw  the  woods  were  filled  with  rebels. 
The  Union  forces  being  drawn  up  then  in  line  of  battle,  tlie  fight- 
ing commenced  in  earnest.  The  contest  waxed  hotter  and  hotter, 
the  Federal  troops  pouring  in  volley  after  volley  into  the  thick 
wood,  while  the  batteries  fired  broadsides  from  their  guns.  The 
enemy  returned  the  fire  vigorously,  but  found  every  attempt  to 
break  tbe  Union  lines  unavailing.  Not  a man  flinebed,  and  every 
ofiicer  displayed  the  most  heroic  valor.  As  fast  as  a soldier  fell  ho 
was  conveyed  to  an  ambulance  in  the  i-ear,  and  the  ranks  closed  up. 

The  firing  on  both  sides  was  tremendous.  For  nearly  an  hour 
(irifiln’s  battery  sent  its  shell  flying  over  the  ambuscaile  of  the  foe, 
dealing  destruction  and  death.  Unable  to  longer  i-esist  the  explod- 
ing missiles,  the  enemy  retreated,  leaving  the  field  in  possession  of 
the  Unionists.  The  losses  of  the  latter  were  small,  considering  the 
length  of  the  engagement.  The  rebel  loss  was  heavy,  as  was  after- 
ward ascertained  by  an  examination  of  the  woods. 

The  third  and  last  action  was  the  most  brilliant  and  decisive  of 
the  day. 


) Senior  Major-General  in  tlio  Army  of  the  United  States,  born  in  West- 
j ern,  Oneida  Co.,  New  York,  in  181G.  Jfe  was  educated  at  Union  College 

j (where  he  spent  one  year),  and  West  Point,  where  he  entered  in  1835,  and 

I graduated  in  1839,  ranking  third  in  his  class,  which  consisted  of  thirty-one 

/ members.  lie  was  ajipointed  ‘2d  I,ieutenant  of  Engineers  in  1839,  Assistant 
j Prof.  Engineering  in  1840,  Assistant  to  the  Chief  Engineer,  1811-1844  ; bc- 

j came  1st  Ijieutenant,  1845  ; took'  part  in  battle  of  I’alo  Alto  and  other  engage- 

) ments  in  Mexican  war,  and  brevetted  Captain.  In  1847-9,  Secretary  of 

I State  in  California,  and  superintended  collection  of  pul>lic  revenues  there ; 

j Capt.  Engineers,  1853;  resigned  Aug.  1854.  Entereil  a law  linn  in  San 
) Francisco  ; was  Director-General  New  Almaden  ((uicksilver  mines.  In  Aug., 
I 18f)l,  appointed  Major-Gen.  regular  army.  Made  Commander  of  Western 

; Department  Nov.  1801 ; directed  the  campaign  of  the  spring  of  18C2,  com- 

) manding  in  person  at  the  siege  of  Corinth.  yVppointed  July  11,  18G2,  Gen- 

) eral-in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  U.  S.,  held  the  oflice  till  Alarch  7,  18G4,  when 

\ General  Grant  becoming  Lieut.-General,  he  was  appointed  Chii.'f  of  Staff  to 
the  President.  In  May,  18G.5,  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Army  in 
) Va.,  but  soon  relieved,  and  appointed,  June  27,  Commander  of  the  “ Military 
( Division  of  the  Pacific.” 


Corinth,  Miss. 


113 


The  revival  of  musketry  and  artillery  brought  back  the  absent 
brigades.  It  being  ascertained  that  the  enemy,  twenty  thousand 
strong,  were  in  the  wood  and  along  the  line  of  the  road,  it  was 
determined  to  drive  them  back.  The  cheering  of  the  Union  men, 
as  they  advanced  on  double-quick,  and  the  incessant  and  undaunt- 
ed firing  of  shell  and  musketry,  has  seldom  been  surpassed  on  any 
battle-field.  It  was  about  five  o’clock  when  the  engagement  com- 
menced ; and  it  was  kept  up,  with  unequaled  vigor  and  fearful 
slaughter  to  the  foC,  till  night  closed  upon  the  scene. 

The  enemy  were  a third  time  driven  back;  and  the  Unionists 
were  again  victorious.  The  sun  went  down  in  a cloudless  sky. 
The  hush  of  the  twilight  hour  invited  to  repose;  and  the  weary 
men,  refreshed  by  the  cool  breath  of  evening  lay  down  to  rest, 
while  a vail  of  smoke  still  skirted  the  forest  edges — the  scenes  of 
the  recent  brilliant  conflicts. 


COEINTH,  MISS 

May  28  to  30,  1S02. 

Unionists,  under  General  Ilalleck,  about  100,000.  Losses  small  {numbers  not 
stated). 

Lisunionists,  under  General  Beauveoard,  nhoui  47,000  {according  to  rebel  author* 
ity).  Losses  in  killed  and  wounded,  considerable  {numbers  not  stated) ; in 
2y)'iHoncrs,  about  1,000. 

After  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  the  11th  of  April,  General 
Beauregard  with  his  army  fell  back  to  his  intrenched  j)osition 
around  Corinth.  Proceeding  to  strengthen  its  defenses  ho  collected 
here  all  his  available  forces.  Several  divisions  were  brought  up 
from  Pensacola,  and  from  various  points  in  Arkansas;  and  after 
the  capture  of  New  Orleans,  the  troops  driven  thence  were  also 
gathered  here.  The  rebel  conseription  act  still  further  increased 
his  force.  Supported  by  this  formidable  array,  a resolute  and  des- 
perate stand  seemed  evident.  The  enemy’s  works  of  defense  were 
believed  to  be  of  great  strength,  and  the  Union  generals  made  ex- 
tensive j)reparations  to  overcome  the  vast  difficulties  which  seemed 
to  oppose  them.  Their  operations  were  directed  by  Commanding- 
General  llalleck,  who  concentrated  a force  at  this  point,  largely 
exceeding  any  that  had  been  gathered  before  on  an  equal  area 
during  the  war. 

Forward  movements  were  again  resumed  with  difficulty,  for 
thick  undergrowth  impeded  the  way,  and  roads  had  to  be  cut  and 
clearings  made  before  infantry  or  artillery  could  advance. 


114 


Seven  Pines^  or  Fair  Oaks,  Va. 


On  May  "Ytli,  tlio  Union  lines  were  carried  forward  to  witliin  a 
short  distance  of  Two  ililo  Creek,  a point  within  two  miles  of 
Corinth.  The  crossing  of  the  creek  on  the  following  morning,  the 
28th  iust.,  was  opposed  by  a large  rebel  force ; and  an  engagement 
of  some  duration  ensued,  terminating  in  the  retreat  of  the  enemy 
behind  tiieir  works,  and  the  bolding  of  the  way  on  both  sides  of 
the  creek  by  General  Pope’s  corps.  During  the  night  a new  line 
of  breast-works  was  thrown  up  along  the  banks. 

At  dawn,  the  enemy  failing  to  open  the  battle.  General  Pope 
commenced  sbelling  with  his  battery,  near  the  bridge.  After  a few 
moments  tbe  foe  replied,  and  continued  a rapid  fire  for  half  an  hour, 
when  he  ceased  and  withdrew  his  battery  beyond  the  range  of  tbe 
Union  troops.  Throughout  the  day  a brisk  shelling  of  the  woods 
in  front  occurred  at  intervals  along  the  line.  The  rebels  made  but 
feeble  resistance.  The  front  was  by  this  time  so  near  the  enemy’s 
works  that  tlie  next  effort  must  be  to  carry  them  by  assault.  Gen- 
eral Ilalleck’s  orders  were  given  for  a general  advance  on  the  com- 
ing  morning.  The  long-delayed  battle  would  thus  have  been 
fought  that  day  but  for  the  developments  of  the  forenoon. 

At  daybreak,  rumors  of  evacuation  were  circulating  in  the  army. 
An  eager  desire  to  know  the  truth  became  manifest.  General  Pope 
was  the  first  to  ascertain  ; being  nearest  to  the  breast- works,  ho 
moved  upon  them  at  six  o’clock,  and  shortly  afterward  entered 
without  resistance.  Fully  satisfied  by  this  reconnoissance  that  the 
enemy  had  abandoned  Corinth,  the  whole  corps  pushed  on,  end 
occupied  the  town  a little  after  seven. 


SEVEN  PINES,  OR  FAIR  OAKS,  VA. 

May  31  to  June  2, 18C2. 

Unioiiifits,  under  General  McClellan^  ahoxtt  11,000.  Killed^  890;  woundfd^  8,C27; 
jiriHonei'Hy  1,222.  Total  lonHy  6,739. 

J)iHuui(niiNtn^  under  General  Jo.  IC.  %fohutiton.^  ahout  35,000,  Killed^  2,800 ; xoound- 
cdy  3,S97.  'Jvtal  lonti  acLnoulcdyed  by  rebel  aulhoritica^  about  8,000. 

On  the  31st  of  May,  about  mid  day,  the  enemy  taking  advantage 
of  a terril)le  storm,  which  bad  flooded  the  valley  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  attacked  the  Union  troo[)3  on  the  right  flank.  The  ad- 
vance division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  General  Casey, 
was  assailed  by  an  overwhelming  force,  and  driven  back  a distance 
of  two  miles.  This  division  consisted  of  six  regiments  of  new 
troops,  who  having  been  subjected  to  unusual  exposure  and  hard- 


>rook  Hr. 


m(. 

>^T«nG«iii 


^’Kfx.'k.i'itw 


fiiclirtvttTiji 


I'risoTii 


iiivjroiis 


, . 2 .\h  l<>s 

<.*iiinsiila  ( <uii|)aii?ii 

Ditnm  ,(•  niffra\-e<lfui  JULLLam^C9  21Y: 


Sl*  ’ ' 

jL*..  , 

^ ^ 

- 

C>-'''^ 

Seven  Pines,  or  Fair  Oaks,  Fa. 


117 


ships,  were  unprepared  to  resist  superior  numbers.  The  attacking 
force  comprised  tliirty-five  tliousand  of  the  best  disciplined  of  the 
rebel  troops,  coniTiianded  by  General  J.  E.  Johnston. 

About  one  o’clock  of  tbo  same  day  the  enemy  came  upon  the 
Union  pickets  unawares,  and  driving  them  in,  advanced  upon  their 
camp.  In  the  mean  time  the  regiments  of  the  diflerent  brig.adcs 
had  fallen  into  line,  and  hastened  at  once  to  the  scene  of  conflict. 
The  retiring  pickets  met  largo  forces  coming  to  their  support,  and 
a severe  engagement  followed;  the  musketry  firing  was  terrific. 

The  Unionists  fought  with  undaunted  courage,  mowing  down 
the  enemy  at  every  discharge,  but  the  places  made  vacant  by  the 
fallen  were  instantly  filled  from  their  apparently  exhaustless  re- 
serves. The  most  formidable  action  occurred  just  as  the  enemy 
emerged  from  the  woods,  where  the  Federal  reserves  were  drawn 
up  to  meet  them.  Desperate  courage  was  displayed  on  both  sides  ; 
the  Union  regiments  charged  repeatedly  upon  the  enemy,  driving 
them  back  for  a time,  when  they  would  again,  in  turn,  gain  the 
advantage,  and  drive  the  Unionists  before  them.  The  loss  at  this 
point  was  fearful  on  both  sides ; and  the  ground,  being  disputed 
inch  by  inch  in  the  most  determined  manner,  was  gained  only  by 
overwhelming  numbers. 

The  Federal  batteries  poured  into  the  rebel  ranks  a shower  of 
grape  and  canister,  but  they  steadily  advanced  till  the  opposing 
lines  commencing  to  give  way,  they  charged  upon  the  batteries, 
capturing  sevoti  guns  and  taking  possession  of  the  camp.  The 
Unionists  fell  back  hastily,  but  without  panic. 

At  this  juncture  Kearny’s  division  from  Ileintzelman’s  corps 
arrived,  and  their  bold  and  reckless  leader  threw  his  force  upon 
the  enemy  so  impetuously  as  to  check  their  farther  progress. 

The  flood  on  the  Chickahominy,  upon  which  the  rebel  comman- 
der had  relied,  had  not  yet  reached  this  part  of  the  river  ; and  by 
six  o’clock  n.M.  Sedgwick’s  division,  having  crossed,  and  carried 
his  artillery  by  hand  through  the  deep  mud,  had  reached  the  left 
flank  of  the  enemy  near  Fair  Oaks  Station.  He  immediately  com- 
menced a fierce  attack.  The  rebel  troops  still  largely  outnumber- 
ed the  Union  force,  and  fought  desperately,  determined  not  to  yield 
the  field  they  had  so  nearly  won.  About  sunset,  their  commander- 
in-chief  was  severely  w.ounded,  and  carried  oft’  the  field.  Darkness 
put  an  end  to  the  fighting  for  the  night,  and  both  armies  lay  down 
on  the  field,  to  resume  the  struggle  in  the  morning. 

At  dawn  the  following  day,  Sunday,  June  1st,  the  Union  forces 


113  Scucn  l*incs^  or  l<''air  Oaks, 

were  disposed  in  line,  nwniting  tlic  rencwnl  of  tlio  battle.  But  tlio 
rebels,  disjiiriteil  by  the  loss  of  their  loader,  Bcoinod  in  no  baste  to 
make  the  attack,  and  the  fighting  did  not  coinmenco  till  nearly 
seven  o’clock.  At  this  time  iliey  held  the  Union  camps,  a strong 
position  covered  by  a swamp. 

An  assault  was  made  on  Richardson’s  division,  which  occupied 
the  right  beyond  Fair  Oaks  Station.  The  action  soon  became  gen- 
eral, and  spread  along  the  Federal  lines.  The  rebel  fire  was  well 
directed  and  severe,  hut  it  was  returned  with  equal  effect.  The 
Unionists  push  forward  down  into  the  swamp,  and  now  the  foe  in 
turn  give  way;  the  ground  was  very  difficult,  and  the  Federal 
troops  were  often  up  to  their  waists  in  water. 

No  order  on  either  side  could  he  heard  above  tne  continual  roar 
of  musketry  ; the  mounted  officers  were  thus  compelled  to  lead  the 
advance  in  ])crson,  in  order  to  show  what  was  retpiircd.  From 
Richardson’s  division  the  fire  extended  around  the  front  the  rebels 
had  pushed  so  severely  the  day  before.  Here  the  men  stood  boldly 
and  pressed  closer  and  closer,  the  enemy  falling  hack  slowly  hut 
steadily.  An  order  being  given  to  Sickles’  brigade  to  fix  bayonets 
and  charge,  they  did  it  with  glorious  cheering  and  fearful  disaster  to 
the  foe.  A few  faced  the  charge  and  held  their  places,  hut  the 
mass  ran  at  once  and  disappeared  in  the  woods.  Thus  closed  the 
second  day’s  battle. 

On  the  following  day  (iMonday)  the  enemy  still  occupied  the 
Union  camps ; and,  though  compelled  to  retire  with  heavy  losses 
ou  the  previous  day,  they  held  the  greater  part  of  the  ground  taken 
in  the  first  engagement. 

The  Federal  troops  were  inspired  with  a determination  to  go 
forward  and  re-occupy  their  former  position  ; resolution  was  stam[)- 
ed  on  every  face,  and  all  were  fixed  in  their  purpose,  not  only  to 
retrieve  their  losses,  hut  to  Avin  greater  victories.  It  was  still  dim 
and  misty  when  the  lines  were  under  arms,  and  a little  later  the 
advance  skirmishers  were  thrown  forward.  The  men  moved 
cautiously,  making  every  step  completely  sure  before  another 
was  taken  ; until  a position  was  gained  on  the  Williamsbui-g  road, 
where  a battery  could  he  posted.  It  was  placed  so  as  to  command 
the  entire  road,  and  the  troops  again  moved  on  as  tlie  enemy  fell 
hack,  his  pickets  in  sight.  The  Union  force,  advancing  step  by 
step,  pushed  the  rebels  before  them,  with  a slight  exchange  of  fire, 
but  no  serious  resistance,  until  they  were  once  more  at  home  in 
their  camp.  They  then  swept  slowly  forward,  through  the  camp 


119 


Fort  Pilloio  ( WrighC)^  Term, 

and  beyond  it,  till  at  nightfall  tlieir  pickets  were  posted  witliin  four 
miles  of  the  rebel  capital.  Thus  the  affair  was  completed.  The 
Unionists  had  retaken  tlieir  camp;  and  tlie  enemy  in  liis  departure 
made  a full  acknowledgment  that  he  had  failed,  and  was  defeated 
in  the  purpose  for  which  he  came.  The  field  was  strewn  with 
rebel  dead,  and  even  on  the  third  day  some  of  their  wounded  were 
yet  alive  and  uncared  for. 

— 

FOET  PILLOW  (WEIGHT),  TENN. 

April  14  to  June  6.  1962. 

Union  naval  force^  conniMing  of  five  irorfcladA  and  one  wooden  gun^boat^  under 
Flag-Officer  C.  If.  Davis,  Killed,,  1 ; wounded,,  3. 

Disunion  naval  force,,  comprising  eight  iron-dads,,  under  Commodore  ITollins, 
Killed,,  150;  wounded,,  400. 

Foia-  Pii.i.ow  is  situated  on  the  Chickasaw  Uluffs,  on  the  Ten- 
nessee shore  of  the  J[ississip[)i,  eighty  miles  above  Memphis.  The 
bluff  rises  abruptly  from  the  stream  about  100  feet.  The  location 
of  the  fort  thus  rendered  it  difficult  for  the  Union  fleet  to  assail 
it  successfully.  The  position  taken  by  the  latter  was  two  miles 
from  the  rebel  work,  a wooded  point  intervening.  From  this  un- 
favorable situation  the  bombardment  began,  April  14th,  and  was 
kept  up  irregularly  without  decisive  results  until  May  10th.  At 
an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  10th  the  enemy  boldly  ad- 
vanced to  attack  the  Union  boats.  Scarcely  had  the  mortars  been 
moored  in  their  position,  when  the  rebel  ram  Louisiana  appeared, 
accompanied  by  four  other  gun-boats  ; the  ram  immediately  opened 
fire  upon  the  Union  gun-boat  Cincinnati,  to  which  the  latter  re- 
plied vigorously.  The  Cincinnati  alone  held  the  rebel  boats  in 
check  till  the  rest  of  the  fleet  came  to  her  aid. 

The  contest  between  the  two  boats  now  became  most  exciting. 
The  crews  of  each,  armed  with  carbines,  cutlasses,  and  boarding- 
jiikes,  discharged  volley  after  volley  in  quick  succession,  -while  the 
ram  made  every  effort  to  run  into  her  antagonist.  At  this  junc- 
ture the  steam-battery  of  the  Cincinnati  commenced  throwing 
heavy  volumes  of  steam  and  scalding  water  into  the  midst  of  the 
rebel  crew,  causing  them  to  withdraw  their  vessel  in  all  haste.  In 
the  mean  time  three  other  vessels  having  been  added  to  the  en- 
emy’s fleet,  approached  the  Cincinnati  and  immediately  engaged 
her.  She  resisted  the  assault  nobly,  the  shot  inflicting  no  damage 
upon  her  armor,  while  her  own  guns  rained  shot  and  shell  -with 
fearful  effect  upon  the  foe. 


. jS^iuxi 


120  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Wliilo  this  work  was  in  progress,  tlio  oilier  Union  gun-boats  liaJ 
attacked  tlie  remainder  of  tlio  rebel  lleet,  and  a desperate  battle 
was  raging.  The  enemy  fought  courageously  and  with  obstinacy, 
but  they  were  met  by  equal  bravery  and  greater  skill  and  metal. 

Suddenly  a deafening  report  was  beard  ; and,  as  the  smoke  lift- 
ed, it  was  discovered  that  a rebel  boat  bad  been  blown  to  atoms. 
Scarcely  bad  the  sound  died  away,  when  a second  was  beard,  and 
another  rebel  boat  with  its  crew  bad  disappeared.  Both  casualties 
resulted  from  the  bursting  of  shells,  from  Union  guns,  in  their  mag- 
azines, which  caused  the  instant  explosion  of  the  latter.  All  this 
time  the  Federal  boats  poured  their  deadly  fire  into  the  enemy, 
disabling  such  of  their  craft  as  were  not  wholly  destroyed,  and 
hurling  destruction  upon  their  crews. 

The  battle  continued  one  hour,  when  the  foe  retired  under  cover 
of  their  batteries. 

After  the  action  of  the  10th,  repairs  Avero  made  upon  the  rebel 
fleet,  and  its  force  was  strengthened.  The  injuries  inflicted  upon 
the  Union  boats  Avero  also  repaired,  and  four  rams  added  to 
the  fleet.  Thus  the  investment  continued  till  Juno  4th;  when  the 
occupants  evacuated  the  fort,  committing  to  the  flames  everything 
they  were  unable  to  remove. 



MEMPHIS,  TENN. 

June  C,  18G2. 

Union  naval  for ce^  under  Flag-Offiiier  C.  IT.  Daitis^  comprising  Jive  gun-boaU^ 
besides  a fleet  of  four  rams^  under  Colonel  Ellet.  Killed^  0 ; wounded^  1. 
Disunion  naval force^  under  Commodore  Edward  Monigomery^compvining  eight 
gun~hoats  fitted  as  rams.  Losses  according  to  rebel  authorities,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  80  ; prisoners,  75. 

The  same  day  on  Avhich  the  occupation  of  Fort  Pillow  occurred, 
the  flotilla  proceeded  cautiously  to  reconnoiter  the  river  toward 
^Memphis.  The  naval  squadron  anchored  five  miles  above  the  city 
and  aAvaited  the  transports  Avith  the  land  forces.  At  daylight  on 
the  morning  of  the  6th  the  fleet  weighed  anchor  and  steamed 
slowly  down  the  river  till  within  three  miles  of  Memphis.  The 
rebel  fleet  Avas  now  perceived  lying  on  the  Arkansas  shore,  oppo- 
site the  lower  part  of  the  town  ; and  it  immediately  approached 
to  give  battle. 

The  Union  men  Avere  at  this  time  breakfasting,  and  Flag-Officer 
Davis  determining  not  to  engage  tbe  enemy  till  the  meal  was 
finished,  signaled  his  fleet  to  halt,  and  in  a fcAV  minutes  later  gave 


121 


3Ie7V2^his,  Tenn. 

additional  orders  to  move  up  the  river.  The  enemy  regarded  this 
movement  as  a retreat,  and  pursued,  firing  with  effect  upon  the 
Union  boats,  which  still  fell  back.  At  half-past  five  p.m.  three 
guns  were  fired  by  the  rebels,  to  which  the  Union  gun-boat  Cairo 
replied,  the  other  boats  following  immediately.  The  fleets  were 
now  about  three  quarters  of  a mile  apart ; but,  us  the  battle  con- 
tinued, the  distance  was  reduced  to  half  a mile. 

After  a fierce  contest  of  about  thirty  minutes,  two  Union  rams 
— the  iMoiiarch  and  the  Queen  of  the  AVest— advanced,  and  tit  their 
approach  the  enemy  were  thrown  into  consternation.  The  rams 
pushed  on  at  once.  The  Queen  of  the  AA^est  selected  the  Beaure- 
gard for  its  antagonist;  but  the  captain  of  the  latter  skillfully  par- 
ried the  blow,  and  the  Queen  rushing  upon  the  Price — another  of 
its  oiiponcnts — struck  and  disabled  her.  Almost  at  the  same  in- 
stant she  was  herself  struck  by  the  Beauregard,  iind  somewhat 
injured.  The  Jlonarch,  in  the  mean  time,  charged  upon  the  Lovell, 
which  being  unable  to  evade  its  blow,  was  hit  in  the  starboard 
side.  She  sunk  in  less  than  three  minutes,  her  upper  works  float- 
ing away,  a portion  of  the  crew  still  clinging  to  them.  Having 
disposed  of  the  Lovell,  the  ^Monarch  now  turned  upon  the  Beaure- 
gard. Being  too  near  to  damage  her  hull,  she  came  alongside  her 
at  her  bow  and  stern.  She  then  opened  with  her  hot-water  hose,  and 
for  a few  minutes  drenched  the  decks  of  the  enemy  with  a scalding 
flood.  AVhile  in  this  position  a rebel  boat  came  up  to  strike  lier  ; 
but  she  suddenly  let  go  her  hold  of  the  Beauregard  and  backed 
out,  permitting  the  blow  to  fall  upon  the  latter.  AVhile  the  enemy 
were  recovering  from  their  amazement,  the  Monarch  approached 
on  the  other  side,  and  giving  the  Beauregard  a tremendous  thrust 
in  the  bow,  the  latter  sunk  in  a few  moments.  The  Monarch, 
satisfied  with  her  well-earned  laurels,  retired  to  the  assistance  of 
the  Queen  of  the  A\'’cst.  The  Price  was  so  crippled  by  the  injury 
inflicted  by  the  Queen  of  the  AVest  that  she  ran  up  the  white  flag, 
and  was  left  to  the  tide;  the  Queen,  which  was  also  crippled, 
drifted  down  the  stream  till  taken  in  tow  by  the  Monarch,  which 
drew  her  to  the  Arkansas  shore. 

The  Union  gun-boats  having  approached  within  shorter  range,  re- 
opened fire  Avitli  telling  effect.  The  battle  raged  desperately — it 
was  the  dying  struggle  of  the  rebels  on  the  river.  The  roar  of  the 
guns  was  incessant;  and  the  inhabitants  of  Memphis  watched  the 
movements  of  the  contending  forces  with  intense  Imt  different  in- 
terests, the  Unionists  looking  on  confidently,  the  rebels  despairingly. 

G 


122 


Cross  limeys,  Vci. 


But  tlie  battle  was  decisive.  The  rebel  gun-boats  wbich  were  not 
already  disabled  left  the  seene  of  action.  Only  four  out  of  the 
eight  which  entered  the  contest  were  thus  able  to  retire,  and  one 
of  these  was  seriously  injured.  Of  the  three  uninjured,  the  Van 
Dorn  alone  made  a final  eseape. 

The  discomfiture  of  the  enemy  was  complete.  The  action,  last- 
ing over  one  hour,  bad  inflicted  severe  injury  upon  the  foe;  while 
the  Union  gun-boats  were  unharmed,  and  only  one  ram — the  Queen 
of  the  West— matei'ially  damaged.  Colonel  Ellet,  who  was  wounded 
by  a splinter,  was  tbe  only  one  of  the  Unionists  in  any  way  injured. 
According  to  the  reports  of  Northern  correspondents,  not  less  than 
one  hundred  of  the  insurgents  lost  their  lives. 

On  the  same  day,  the  victorious  achievement  was  crowned  by 
the  surrender  of  the  city  of  Memphis  to  Ca[itain  Davis,  who  im- 
mediately placed  it  under  the  authority  of  Colonel  Fitch,  com- 
manding a brigade  of  Indiana  troops. 



CROSS  KEYS,  VA. 

June  8,  1S62. 

Unionistf^  under  (reneral  J^'emont.  al^out  20y000.  Killed^  125;  500. 

Vifinnioniats^  uiidtr  General  Jacfcaon^  about  17,000.  Killed  and  wounded.^  about 

600. 

After  tbe  battle  of  Winchester  on  the  2Gth  of  Jlay,  and  the  re- 
treat of  (icneral  Banks  to  the  Botomac,  (Jeneral  Fi'cmont,  com- 
manding a force  stationed  at  Franklin,  was  ordered  to  his  support, 
rroceeding  northward  to  I’etcrshurg,  ho  crossed  thence  into  the 
Shenandoah  valley,  and  on  the  31st  came  up  with  the  rear-guard 
of  .Tackson’s  army  then  moving  southward.  Pursuing  the  enemy 
and  compelling  them  to  several  skirmishes,  he  reached  Harrison- 
burg on  the  6th  of  June ; when  a sharp  fight  occurred.  The  rebels 
suftered  severely  in  the  engagement,  sustaining  an  irreparable  loss 
in  the  death  of  their  famous  cavalry  leader,  General  Ashby,  and 
being  forced  to  continue  their  retreat. 

The  following  day  the  main  body  of  Fremont’s  force  remained 
at  Harrisonburg;  but  General  Milroy  made  a reconnoissance  on  the 
road  to  Port  Eepublic.  lie  found  tbe  enemy  strongly  posted  at 
Cross  Keys,  in  a position  completely  masked  by  timber  and  by  tbe 
uneven  surface  of  the  ground.  On  the  morning  of  tbe  8th,  eight 
miles  beyond  Harrisonburg,  the  entire  Union  force  came  up  with 
the  rebel  army  in  its  chosen  situation.  The  Federal  artillery  com- 


Port  Republic^  Va. 


123 


menced  tho  action.  After  two  iiours’  heavy  skirmishing,  the  op- 
posing forces  joined  battle,  and  fought  with  great  strength  and  de- 
termination until  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  From  this  time 
until  dark  the  struggle  was  of  a mere  desultory  character. 

The  battle  was  a drawn  one.  Tho  Unionists  had  been  forced 
back  in  tho  morning,  and,  during  tho  latter  part  of  tho  day,  only 
succeeded  in  recovering  their  ground.  Tho  rebels,  doubtless  in 
accordance  with  their  previous  plan,  continued  their  retreat  in 
good  order. 



POET  EEPUBLIC,  VA. 

June  8 and  9,  1862. 

UnionUtSy  under  General  Shields,  3,500.  Killed,  67 ; wounded,  861  ; missing,  5,740. 
Kiexinionists,  under  General  T,  J.  Jackson,  16,000.  Losses,  about  1,000. 

General  Shields  with  a small  force,  while  en.  route  to  co-operate 
with  General  Fremont,  was  attacked  by  a Confederate  force  of 
greatly  superior  numbers  under  General  Jackson,  and  compelled  to 
retreat.  In  hope  of  intercepting  tho  rebels  he  had  sent  forward 
his  advance  under  Colonel  Carroll  to  Port  Republic,  who  reached 
the  place  on  tho  8th  of  June,  while  the  battle  of  Cross  Keys  was 
still  in  progress. 

He  i)assed  through  the  town  with  a small  force,  intending  to  re- 
capture the  spoils  which  Jackson  had  taken  near  that  place ; but 
liaving  driven  a rebel  cavalry  force  from  the  bridge  and  gained 
possession  of  the  town,  he  was  assailed  by  a rebel  force  greatly  ex- 
ceeding his  own,  and  was  coinpelled  to  recross  the  river  and  fall 
back  to  a position  two  miles  from  Port  Republic.  The  enemy 
thus  regained  and  held  tho  bridge.  In  his  new  position  Colonel 
Carroll  was  Joined  by  General  Tyler,  and  their  united  force  num- 
bered three  thousand.  The  following  morning  Jackson  crossed 
the  bridge  over  the  Shenandoah,  burning  it  behind  him  ; made  an 
attack  upon  Tyler,  and  after  a severe  engagement  compelled  tho 
Unionists  to  withdraw. 

Meantime  General  Fremont,  resuming  his  pursuit  of  the  enemy, 
reached  the  Shenandoah  just  in  time  to  find  .them  across  the  river, 
and  tho  bridge  in  flames.  A detachment  of  cavalry  was  forwarded 
to  General  Shields,  but  it  was  evident  that  further  pursuit  was 
useless,  and  that  Jackson  had  attained  a safe  position. 


124 


Secessionville,  James  Island.,  S.  O. 


SECESSIONVILLE,  JAMES  ISLAND,  S.  C. 

Junk  16,  1862. 

ViiionistSy  nmfer  General  BenJuim^  al>out  6,000.  Killed^  85;  'wounded^  4T2; 
prisoners^  128, 

Z>ifiuni(ynist.%  under  Colonel  Lamar^  about  25,000,  Killed^  40  ; wounded^  100. 

On  tlie  2tl  of  Juno  a land  force,  under  command  of  Major-Gene- 
ral Hunter  and  Brigadier-General  Benham,  landed  on  James  Island, 
where  they  took  possession  of  a deserted  fort,  and  awaited  coming 
reinforcements.  The  latter  arrived  three  days  later,  and  a series 
of  skirmi.shes  ensued  for  several  days. 

The  rebel  force  in  the  mean  time  had  been  greatly  increased  b^ 
additions  from  the  Charleston  garrison,  and  were  intrenched  in  a 
strong  position  on  an  elevation  of  land  between  two  creeks.  The 
Union  troops  having  been  harassed  and  menaced  by  fire  from  this 
fortification.  General  Benham,  in  contravention  of  orders  from  his 
superior  officer,  determined  to  attack  it.  It  was  his  plan  to  carry 
the  battery  by  assault,  and  if  possible  by  the  bayonet  alone.  The 
attack  was  made  with  great  bravery  and  resolution,  in  the  face  of 
a most  devastating  fire.  Four  heavy  guns  on  the  enemy’s  parapet 
sent  their  murderous  charges  through  the  files  of  bravo  men  ; mask- 
ed batteries  poured  terrible  missiles  upon  them ; sharp-shooters 
stationed  all  along  the  rebel  line  selected  the  Union  officers  for 
targets,  and  thus  many  a gallant  leader  fell,  while  the  men  dropped 
in  the  ranks  by  scores.  Still  the  storming  party  pressed  on,  forcing 
their  way  through  the  abattis  and  mounted  the  parapet.  A part 
of  tbe  supporting  force  now  came  up,  an’d  a destructive  fire  was 
discharged  from  the  hedge  upon  the  rebels.  Under  cover  of  this 
fire  General  Stevens  was  upon  th^  point  of  moving  again  to  the 
assault,  when  the  Union  gun-boats  opened  a heavy  cannonade, 
which,  instead  of  telling  upon  the  enemy,  threw  shot  and  shell 
into  the  Federal  ranks.  The  effect  of  this  unfortunate  mistake 
was  an  order  for  the  Federal  troops  to  retire,  which  they  did  in 
periect  order,  taking  position  in  their  old  picket  line. 

The  smoke  of  battle  died  away,  but  the  loss  of  700  heroic  Union- 
ists proved  how  fierce,  how  sanguinary  was  the  conflict. 


SBZSJM 


JSi.  Charles^  Ark. — Oak  Grove.,  Va.  125 

ST.  CHARLES,  ARK. 

June  17, 1862. 

Union  naval  force^  conaisting  of  four  gun~hoaU^  under  Captain  Kelly,  Land 
forcCy  under  Colonel  Fitch.,  about  1,500.  Killed  and  'loounded^  125. 
DUunioniats^  under  Colonel  Frije^  450.  Killed  and  wounded^  150;  prisoners^  30. 

An  expedition  consisting  of  four  gun-bo.ats  and  two  ti^^isports, 
carrying  two  regiments  of  infantry,  was  dispatched  from  Mem- 
phis, for  the  purpose  of  removing  obstructions  in  the  White  River. 

On  the  17th  the  expedition  reached  St.  Charles,  eighty  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  the  river,  where  the  rebels  had  erected  forti- 
fications. During  the  cannonade  a ball  entered  the  boiler  of  one 
the  Union  boats,  causing  immediate  explosion.  Nearly  every  one 
on  board  was  scalded.  Tlie  scene  which  followed  wms  ho’.’rible  in 
the  extreme,  many  of  the  crew  frantic  with  suffering  jumped  over- 
board and  were  drowned.  Boats  were  sent  to  their  relief;  but  the 
rebels  fired  upon  the  men  in  the  water,  with  grape  and  canister 
from  tl^field  pieces,  murdering  those  who  tried  to  escape. 

At  this  juncture  Colonel  Fitch,  who  had  moved  his  land  force 
below  the  enemy’s  work,  during  the  engagement,  pushed  on  with 
his  regiment  and  carried  the  redoubts  by  storm.  Colonel  Kelty, 
commander  of  the  naval  force,  reported  but  few  of  his  men  wound- 
ed, and  but  for  the  cx[)losion  on  the  gun-boat,  ho  might  have  car- 
ried the  enemy’s  'works  with  small  loss  of  life. 


OAK  GROVE,  VA. 

Junk  25, 18G2. 

Unioniats^  under  General  McClellan^  6,000.  Killed^  about  80  ; xcounded^  not  far 
from  200. 

Diaunionista^  \inder  General  Lee^  probably  from  6,000  to  7,000.  Loaaea^  about  500 
killedy  JLOunded^  and  missing. 

Ax  nine  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  June  25tb,  General  Hooker, 
commanding  a division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  advanced  his 
troops  with  the  view  of  occu|)ying  a more  desirable  position.  He 
was  met  by  a determined  opposition,  and  an  engagement  ensued 
which  lasted  till  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  ground  fought  for  was  a swamp  thick  with  underbrush,  be- 
yond which  lies  .an  open  country.  The  Unionists  were  twice  vic- 
torious. The  rebels  at  first  were  driven  b.ack  nearly  a mile ; but 
by  a strange  accident  the  ground  obt.ained  was  almost  immediately 
abandoned,  and  was  at  once  re  possessed  by  the  enemy.  As  soon  as 


126  Mechanicsville,  Va. 

tlio  mistake  was  discovered,  tlie  Federal  troops  were  again  ordered 
forward,  and  dashing  out  with  unyielding  energy  once  more  swept 
the  foe  from  his  obstinately  contested  position. 

lint  little  artillery  was  used  in  tlie  engagement,  and  the  casual- 
ties, considering  the  duration  of  the  fight,  were  comparatively  light. 
GeneraUflooker’s  division  received  hut  trifling  support  from  other 
commands.  The  rebel  force  was  reported  to  have  comprised  two 
divisions. 

The  success  .was  highly  important,  as  hut  little  more  ground  was 
to  he  gained  in  order  to  ])laco  the  troops  beyond  the  low  marshy 
tract  in  which  they  had  been  so  long  encamped. 


MECHANICSVILLE,  VA 

June  2G,  1S62. 

under  General  McClellan^  not  far  from  14,000.  Killed^  wounded^  and 
200.  ^ 
Jf/HnnioiilHU^under  General  Lee.,  ahout  20,000.  h'UlcdyUKmndcd^  ana  7nl{isingf 
about  400. 

On  the  afternoon  of  June  26th,  the  right  wing  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  was  the  scene  of  a battle  of  more  than  common  du- 
ration and  fierceness.  For  several  days  a demonstration  from  the 
enemy  had  been  anticipated,  indeed  hoped  for ; and  accordingly  the 
Union  forces  were  in  readiness  to  repel  their  attack,  and  to  entail 
upon  them  fearful  slaughter. 

About  two  o’clock  the  foe  was  seen  advancing  in  strong  force 
across  the  Chickahominy,  near  the  railroad,  and  close  by  Mechan- 
icsville,  where  General  ^IcCall  was  encamped.  Planting  his  bat- 
teries in  good  position,  he  opened  fire  on  the  Union  rear.  McCall’s 
batteries  were  promptly  wheeled  into  place  and  vigorously  re- 
sponded. The  noise  of  the  artillery  now  became  deafening,  and 
soon  the  crack  of  musketry  united  in  swelling  the  tumultuous  roar 
of  battle. 

General  McCall’s  division  was  drawn  up  in  line,  directly  facing 
the  enemy;  it  was  a bold  venture  considering  the  manifest  superi- 
ority of  the  rebels  in  numbers.  But  the  daring  Unionists,  sup- 
ported by  powerful  batteries,  eagerly  invited  a combat  in  the  open 
field.  The  enemy  readily  accepted  the  challenge,  and  were  soon 
engaged  with  fierce  ardor. 

About  six  o’clock  the  battle  raged  with  the  greatest  fury.  Ad- 
vancing in  the  rear  of  Mechanicsville,  on  a low  swampy  piece  of 


/ 


127 


Mcchanicsvillc,  Va. 

ground,  where  the  Federal  troops  were  drawn  up  beliind  earth- 
works and  rifle-pits,  tlie  conflict  hecatne  indescribably  terrific.  AVith 
des|)erate  courage  tlie  rebels  attemi)ted  to  .■spring  forward  over  the 
inar.shy  ground,  but  they  were  mowed  down  by  merciless  volleys 
as  they  sunk  floundering  in  the  mire.  A charge  of  the  enemy’s 
cavalry  was  attempted  about  this  time,  but  the  horses  like  the  men 
became  deeply  mired.  A body  of  Union  cavalry,  ])ercciving  their 
condition,  charged  down  the  hill,  when  the  rebel  horsemen  forsook 
their  steeds  and  fled  in  dismay. 

Disappointed  in  their  endeavors  to  win  the  day,  the  enemy  at- 
tempted a flank  movement.  And  now  came  an  interval  of  the 
closest  contest.  During  the  height  of  the  cannonading.  General 
Morell’s  division  arrived  on  the  ground,  and  with  bold  front  march- 
ed up  in  face  of  the  flying  sheiks.  The  foremost  brigade  was  dis- 
patched to  relieve  Alctlall’s  center,  while  the  rest  were  drawn  up 
to  aflbrd  supjjort  wherever  needed.  Soon  after,  a battalion  of  Ber- 
dan’s sharp-shooters  likewise  came  upon  the  field. 

From  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  these  reinforcements — a little 
after  six  o’clock — the  firing  continued  without  intermission  till 
halfpast  nine.  The  volleys  of  musketry,  sharp,  quick,  and  inces- 
sant, were  unsurpassed  in  any  previous  battle  of  the  war,  and  the 
roar  of  artillery  was  a]ipaHing.  During  most  of  the  firing.  General 
McClellan  was  on  the  field  ; and  his  presence  did  much  to  inspirit 
the  men,  who  fought  with  unsurpassed  resolution.  The  enemy 
was  at  length  finally  repulsed,  and  after  i-epeated  and  desperate  as- 
saults was  compelled  to  retire. 

The  success  of  the  Unionists  was  in  a great  degree  owing  to  their 
artillery,  which  was  of  heavier  metal  and  longer  range  than  that 
of  the  rebels.  The  missiles  from  these  ponderous  guns  caused 
prodigious  slaughter,  the  loss  of  the  enemy  being  about  450,  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners.  For  some  hours  there  is  said  to  have 
been  considerable  panic  in  Richmond,  lest  the  Union  troops  should 
capture  the  city.  McCall’s  troops,  protected  behind  intrenchments, 
received  comparatively  little  harm;  only  80  were  killed  and  less 
than  150  wounded. 


12S 


Gaines'  Mills^  Va. 


GAINES’  MILLS,  VA 

June  27,  18G2. 

Unionists^  under  General  Porter^  85,000,  Killed^  wounded^  and  miftsingy  7,500. 
PiaunioninUy  undet'  General  LeCy  70,000.  Looses  about  equal  to  those  on  the  Union 
side. 

During  the  night  of  the  2Cth  of  June,  General  McClellan,  anti- 
cipating an  attack  the  next  day,  ordered  General  McCall  to  fall 
hack  and  take  up  a position  in  front  of  the  military  bridges  on  the 
Cliickahomiuy.  At  daybreak  on  the  following  morning,  the  divi- 
sion of  the  latter  was  stationed  in  the  rear  of  Gaines’  Mill. 

About  one  o’clock  p.m.  the  enemy  commenced  the  attack  by 
skirmishing  with  Griffin's  brigade.  The  latter  jiushed  forward, 
driving  back  the  foe,  and  brought  on  a vigorous  action  on  the  right. 

The  rebels  made  repeated  charges,  but  the  murderous  volleys  of 
the  Union  artillery  as  often  re[)ulscd  them.  The  strength  of  the 
enemy  had  been  increased  by  the  addition  of  Jackson’s  troops,  who 
had  just  returned  from  their  daring  raid  up  the  Shenandoah  valley, 
and  Jackson  himself  now  commanded  the  entire  force.  Classing 
the  bulk  of  his  troops,  he  hurled  them  first  upon  one  wing  of  the 
Union  army,  then  upon  the  other,  and  finally  upon  the  center,  hop- 
ing to  break  one  or  the  other,  and,  by  pressing  forward  liis  victo- 
rious legions,  to  annihilate  the  shattered  fragments.  This  method 
of  attack  was  often  tried  during  the  day,  and  for  some  hours  prom- 
ised success.  But  under  the  murderous  discharge  of  iron  missiles 
from  Porter’s  heavy  artillery,  the  rebels  recoiled  as  from  certain 
death  arid  fled  in  dismay. 

At  this  juncture  reserves  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  troops 
advanced,  but  were  met  with  a similar  fate;  and,  though  in  the 
interim  the  previously  broken  columns  had  been  re-formed  and 
brought  forward,  they  could  make  no  impression  on  the  Union 
masses,  which  seemed  to  confront  them  like  a wall  of  adamant. 

General  McClellan,  now  believing  victory  within  his  gi'asp,  hur- 
ried into  action  all  the  troops  that  could  be  spared  from  the  force 
necessary  to  guard  the  retreat,  and  [uepared  to  meet  a final  attack 
which  Jackson  would  evidently  make  before  night  should  close 
upon  him.  Tliat  able  general  in  the  mean  time  had  drawn  up  all 
his  reserves,  and  seeing  that  the  left  wing  of  the  Union  army  had 
become  exhausted  and  their  supplies  of  ammunition  reduced  by 
constant  firing,  he  hurled  his  fresh  troops  upon  it  with  such  terri- 
ble power  that  it  gave  way  and  dispersed.  Disorder  spread  till  it 
reached  the  center  ; the  men  were  not  panic-stricken,  but  marched 


129 


Peach  Orchard^  Fa. 


slowly  and  deliberately  off  tlie  field,  and  the  battle,  so  near  a vic- 
tory to  the  Unionists,  became  a defeat. 

The  enemy  soon  began  to  press  hard  upon  the  flying  forces,  and 
fruitless  attempts  were  made  to  arrest  their  progress.  Darkness 
came  on,  and  after  a retreat  of  a mile,  the  scattered  and  dispirited 
troops  were  met  by  fresh  brigades,  who  checked  the  advance  of  tlio 
foe,  and  patting  a few  of  the  retreating  guns  in  battery,  opened  fire 
and  once  more  drove  back  the  enemy. 

This  sanguinary  engagement  was  fought  with  very  unequal  forces. 
The  Unionists  with  their  last  reinforcements  numbered  only  35,000 ; 
the  rebel  force  comprised  not  less  than  00,000,  and  probably  about 
'i’0,000.  The  Union  losses  were  estimated  at  7,600  in  killed,  wound- 
ed, and  missing  ; the  rebel  loss  was  nearly  equal. 


PEACH  OECHARD,  VA. 

Junk  29,  18G2. 

JJnionistf^^  under  General  McClellan^  numbers  engaged  not  reported.  Losses 
ahcnit  150. 

VisxinionistSy  under  General  Zee,  numbers  engaged  not  stated.  Losses  about 
1,500. 

At  daylight  on  Sunday,  June  29th,  the  Union  works  in  front 
had  been  evacuated  and  the  artillery  removed  to  the  rear  of  the 
main  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Here  it  was  judiciously  disposed,  bat- 
teries masked,  and  the  infantry  covered  by  thickets  of  woods.  The 
spot  was  a part  of  the  battle-ground  of  Fair  Oaks,  but  is  designated 
as  Peach  Orchard.  At  an  early  hour  of  the  morning,  the  enemy 
came  eastward  on  the  Williamsburg  road,  and  opened  from  two 
batteries  on  the  left,  but  their  firing  was  awkward  and  ineffective. 
When  they  reached  a lino  of  inarch,  about  tlirco  litmdrcd  yards 
from  the  Federal  front,  the  whole  terrible  fire  of  the  Union  cannon 
burst  upon  them.  They  staggered,  but  before  tliey  could  compre- 
hend the  full  effects  of  the  discharge,  the  pieces  rang  again,  and  the 
columns  were  fearfully  tliinned.  For  a half  hour  the  fire  was  so 
incessant  that  it  seemed  like  the  continuous  echo  of  a single  report. 
The  Confc derates  replied  feebly,  but  with  some  signs  of  determina- 
tion. The  entire  contest,  though  it  lasted  four  honr.s,  was  like  one 
incident;  it  terminated  with  a lo.ss  to  the  Unionists  of  150  men,  to 
the  rebels  of  not  less  than  1,500.  The  battle  of  Peach  Orchard 
was  a decisive  victory  to  the  Union  troops;  it  was  fought  with 
a small  force  against  immense  odds,  and  in  the  rear  of  the  main 


;130  Savage's  Station^  Va. 

nriny  Mint  w’ns  every  inoinent  receding.  Tlie  condneting  of  nn 
action  so  inanl'nlly  in  view  of  these  dispiriting  facts  argues  well 
for  the  bravery  of  the  Union  leaders. 



SAVAGE’S  STATION,  VA. 

June  29,  1802. 

VnionisUy  under  General  McClellan ^ numhers  engaged  not  reported.  Killed 
and  wounded — excltiHive  of  thoae  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy — nuni^ 
her  of  priso7ie7‘s,  not  reported. 

Disunionists^  under  General  Zee,  numhers  engaged  not  reported.  Losses  very 
heavy y numbers  unknown. 

Tiiic  Union  troops  having  fallen  back  from  Peach  Orchard  toward 
Savage’s  Station  were  attacked  by  a ])owerfnl  Confederate  force  on 
the  allernoon  of  the  29th.  The  rebels  tiled  with  large  I'einforce- 
inents  and  additional  batteries,  as  well  as  with  several  squadrons 
of  cavalry,  toward  a nnmhorof  roads  leading  to  the  Chickahoininy, 
where,  covei'ed  by  thick  tiinher,  they  were  aide  to  keep  concealed 
till  they  reached  a wheat-held  that  sti-etchcs  from  Savage’s  Station 
to  a belt  of  woods.  Suddenly  emei-ging  from  the  thick  timber, 
they  oiiencd  with  rifled  cannon  iqion  the  Union  forces,  drawn  up 
in  full  view  to  the  south  of  the  railroad.  They  ran  out  three  bat- 
teries to  command  ])oints  in  the  wheat-field  and  o[)encd  a i-apid  en- 
filading fire  of  shell  and  grape.  'I'he  lire  at  first  was  so  ajipaHing 
that  the  Union  men  could  not  form,  nor  tlie  artillerymen  bring 
their  batteries  into  service.  A single  regiment  was  seized  with 
momentary  panic,  but  soon  recovered  and  rendered  elTective  ser- 
vice. kleanwhilo  a rebel  brigade  was  observed  stealing  down  to 
the  right  as  if  with  the  intent  of  flanking  the  Federal  troops  by 
attaining  a. position  on  the  AVilliamsburg  road.  Two  Union  guns 
were  at  once  planted  on  the  railroad  and  sw’cjjt  the  enemy’s  colunm 
Avith  grape  and  canister  till  it  werp;  back  into  the  woods  with  all 
speed. 

Some  sharp  infixntry-fighting  ensued,  in  which  several  divisions 
of  the  Unionists  engaged  with  various  success.  The  I'ehels  came 
determinedly  across  the  field  till  the  Union  force  were  ordered  up 
at  double-quick  to  a charge.  About  four  thousand  of  them  set  off 
at  once,  with  a shout  that  might  iiave  drowned  the  musketry.  The 
foe  held  their  jjosition  for  a moment,  and  then  retired  to  the  rear  of 
their  batteries.  Night  spread  its  mantle  over  the  battle-field,  but 
the  roar  of  cannon  and  quick  ring  of  musketry  still  rent  the  air. 


^Vhite  Oak  Swmup,  Glendale^  and  Turkey  Bend^  Fa.l31 


Fitful  Hashes  of  liglit  broke  in  upon  the  darkness,  and  the  woods 
eatehing  fire  from  the  bursting  shells,  the  scene  presented  was  like 
a grand  confiagration.  The  contest  continued  till  late  in  the  even 
ing,  when  the  enemy  were  rejuilsed  with  very  severe  losses.  The 
Unionists  also  lost  heavily,  but  their  loss  was  greatly  exceeded  by 
that  of  the  rebels. 

WHITE  OAK  SWATiP,  GLENDALE,  AND  TTJKKEY 
BEND,  VA. 

JffNK  30,  1802. 

Uriioni/sti,  under  General  JfcCleUan,  nearly  90,000.  Lorxee,  ahnut  4,000. 
Disjtnioninls,  under  General  Lee,  nunihers  enyaged  much  exceeding  the  Union 
force.  Lossex,  orer  4,000. 

The  weary  but  resolute  soldiers,  in  a brief  interval  after  the 
battle  of  Savage’s  Station,  received  orders  to  fall  back  across  the 
"White  Oak  Swamp.  The  enemy  followed  the  Union  force  closely  ; 
and  the  latter  were  obliged  to  keep  in  line  of  battle  across  the 
country,  along  the  whole  extent  of  the  retreat,  for  the  rebels  were 
continually  trying  to  turn  their  flanks.  Notwithstanding  this,  the 
Union  march  betrayed  no  symptoms  of  haste  nor  fear;  the  trains 
moved  on  duly,  but  not  j'iotously.  atid  when  the  last  wagon  and 
cannon  passed  through  the  creek,  their  teams  whitened  all  the  hills 
on  the  southern  side,  and  the  weary  soldiers  having  torn  up  the 
bridge  lay  down  to  rest. 

White  Oak  Creek  runs  through  a bolt  of  swamj)  timber;  a strip 
of  bottom-land  lies  on  both  sides  of  the  swamp,  and  on  the  north 
a steep  hill  which  the  Union  men  had  encircled  with  a line  of  rifle- 
pits.  An  abattis  also  stretched  across  the  bottom-land.  Beyond 
the  stream  the  country  is  rising,  and  to  the  eastward  was  the  right 
of  the  Union  line  of  battle.  It  extended  four  miles  to  the  left,  bor- 
dering the  whole  division  on  the  swamp.  Batteries  were  arrayed 
on  every  commanding  hill,  and  a powerful  picket  posted  at  Charles 
City  Cross  Roads.  The  position  on  the  right  was  a strong  one ; 
the  fire  commenced  at  this  point.  The  enemy  appeared  on  White 
Oak  Swamp  in  strong  force,  and  directly  opened  from  twenty 
masked  batteries,  blowing  up  several  caissons,  dismounting  pieces, 
and  jiroducing  general  confusion  among  cannoneers  and  infantry. 
The  light  battei  ics  soon  recovered  themselves  and  responded  vigor- 
ou.sly  to  the  enemy.  The  infantry,  too,  fell  into  line,  ready  to  support 
the  batteries,  or  to  meet  any  attempt  of  the  rebel  infantry  to  cross 


\Z‘lWhite  Oah  Swamp,  Glendale,  and  Turicey  Hend,  Va. 

tho  linos.  'I'lio  battle  progressed  till  late  in  the  afternoon,  with  seri- 
ous loss  to  both  sides.  The  enctny  made  repeated  attempts  to 
cross  tho  creek,  hut  were  met  by  the  most  obstinate-  resistance. 

The  cannonading  continued  several  hours,  and  the  Union  baggage 
and  artillery  teams  suffered  fearfully.  The  Federal  forces,  how- 
ever, had  prevented  the  enemy  from  crossing  tho  swamp  in  front, 
and  were  confident  of  tlieir  ability  to  pr^ent  his  piercing  it  at  any 
])oint.  15ut  their  confidence  was  ill  founded,  as  was  i)roved  by  the 
appearance  of  the  foe  in  formidable  array  at  Charles  City  Cross 
Koads,  while  a mile  and  a half  from  the  James  River  at  Turkey 
Island  Bend.  Eight  brigades,  under  command  of  the  redoubtable 
Henry  A.  Wise,  advanced  directly  from  Richmond,  and  when  dis- 
covered were  attempting  to  work  quietly  between  our  trains,  our 
wounded,  and  the  army.  The  forces  of  Porter  and  Keyes  were 
ordered  up  to  repel  the  invaders,  the  troops  of  the  former  still  suf- 
fering from  a recent  battle ; many  regiments  bad  no  organization, 
and  many  brigades  scarcely  a regimental  organization.  At  five 
o’clock  they  engaged  the  enemy,  hidden  by  woods  and  hills,  and 
tho  firing  from  musketry  and  field  pieces  soon  became  intense.  Tho 
rebels  did  fearful  execution.  « 

The  reports  of  ordnance  had  rent  the  air  for  so  many  days,  that 
such  chaotic  confusion  seemed  the  normal  condition  of  things. 
There  was  little  enthusiasm  ; all  the  romance  of  battle  was  exhaust- 
ed. The  men  fought  heroically,  though  agonized  with  thirst,  heat, 
and  weariness.  Some,  breaking  from  tho  ranks,  dashed  into  the 
cool  water,  and,  emerging  again,  returned  to  the  fray  and  fought 
with  renewed  desperation. 

Fresh  troops  and  superior  numbers  seemed  carrying  tbe  tide  of 
battle  against  the  Unionists,  when  a godsend  came  to  their  relief. 
Four  gun-boats  opened  from  Turkey  Island  Bend,  with  showers 
of  shot  and  shell  from  their  immense  rifled  guns.  The  roar  of 
field-artillery  grows  faint  in  comparison  with  tho  thunderings  of 
these  monsters  of  ordnance,  that  literally  shake  the  water.  They 
dischai'ged  their  fire  every  three  minutes,  fre(|uently  a broadside 
at  a time : the  serried  rebels  on  tho  hill  went  down  by  ranks ; deso- 
lation and  dismay  i-eigned  supreme.  Their  hope  waning,  the  fire 
slackened,  and  every  deep  tocsin  from  the  gun-boat  Galena  added  its 
force  to  their  despair,  when  the  famous  Ileintzelman  charged.  The 
Galena  ceased,  and  soon  the  grand  corps  of  Ileintzelman  was  in  line. 
The  enemy,  anticipating  such  a dash,  directed  their  fire  upon  this 
part  of  tho  army  more  conceutratedly  than  ever.  Tho  Union  leader 


Malver7i  Hill,  Va.  133 

giving  his  order,  his  column  moved  slowly,  certainly,  vigorously, 
h«rling  dismay  and  death  upon  their  antagonists.  The  rebels  ad- 
vanced bold!}',  but  there  was  a destruction  in  the  fire,,  a veliemence 
in  the  tread  of  the  opposing  force,  they  could  not  withstand,  rush- 
ing resolutely  forward,  defying  every  effort  of  the  foe  to  break  the 
lines,  the  Union  corps  at  last  saw  the  enemy  break  and  lly  in  wild 
confusion  to  the  swamp,' totally  dispirited  and  repulsed,  d'he  Fed- 
eral army  took  in  this  engagement  over  two  thousand  prisoners. 
The  Union  loss  was  variously  estimated,  some  statements  being  as 
high  as  G,000.  The  rebel  loss  largely  exceeded  the  Union.  The 
naval  force  engaged  in  the  latter  part  of  the  contest  was  under 
command  of  Commodore  John  Kodgers. 




MALVERN  HILL,  VA. 

JULT  1S62. 

Unionists^  under  General  McClellan^  about  85,000.  /.O.S-S55,  not  far  from  1,000. 
Disunionisis^  under  General  Lee.  Losses^  according  to  rebel  authorities^  3,000. 

After'  the  fight  on  June  30th,  the  Union  army  fell  back  and 
took  up  the  most  eligible  position  the  country  afforded.  With  the 
aid  of  the  gun-hoiits  the  situation  was  regarded  as  impregnable. 
l)ut  the  enemy,  goaded  to  madness  at  tlicir  failure  to  destroy  its 
invincible  forces  during  the  retreat,  decided  once  more  to  assail  it. 
Tlie  firing  at  low  range  commenced  about  ten  o’clock,  but  without 
serious  effect.  Every  approach  of  the  enemy  was  quickly  repelled. 
A few  hours  later,  the  rebel  force  wuas  brought  up  to  a closer  posi- 
tion, and  made  repeated  attempts  to  charge  upon  the  Union  batte- 
ries. They  were  met  gallantly,  and  the  battle  raged  fiercely.  The 
rebels  were  mowed  down  by  hundreds  witli  terrible  slaughter.  The 
converging  fire  of  three  hundred  cannon  from  the  Union  batteries, 
and  the  hundred-pound  shells  from  the  gun-boats,  spread  such  wild 
dismay  and  fearful  destruction  that  the  most  frantic  appeal  of  the 
rebel  leaders  could  not  urge  forward  their  troops.  Tlie  line  of  the 
enemy  at  last  gave  way  and  fled,  utterly  demoralized,  leaving  the 
field  strewn  with  tliousands  of  their  dead.  Thus  terminated  the 
brief  hut  sanguinary  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  the  last  of  the  series 
of  actions  in  McClellan’s  groat  retreat. 

'fhe  total  Union  loss  in  the  seven  days’  battles  is  estimated  at 
15,249 — to  wit,  1,582  killed,  7,709  wounded,  and  5,958  missing; 
tlio  rebel  loss,  according  to  their  own  acknowledgment,  was  10,000. 


134 


Jlurfreeshoro^  Tenn. — Haton  llouge,  La. 


MURFREESBORO,  TENN. 

Jui.Y  13, 18C2. 

Unionists^  under  Colonel  Leelie.,  1,400.  Killed^  33  ; looiindedi  62 ; 7ni8!iing^  over 
800. 

Di.^unionisUi  under  Colonel  Forreet.^  3.000  to  4,000.  Killed^  60;  wounded^  100. 

At  an  early  hour  of  the  morning,  July  13th,  a guerrilla  force,  or- 
ganized by  Governor  Harris  of  Tennessee,  and  commanded  by  Col- 
onel Forrest,  attacked  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.  Severe  fighting  en- 
sued ; .at  three  p.m.  an  entire  Union  regiment  surrendered.  A Penn- 
sylvania cavalry  regiment  lost  200  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 
Two  Union  generals  were  taken  prisoners.  Twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars’ worth  of  Federal  arms  and  stores  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
rebels. 


BATON  ROUGE,  LA. 

August  5, 1862. 

Unionists.,  under  General  Williams  and  Colonel  2,500.  Killed.,^Q*  wound* 

€c/,  100  ; missing.,  2‘J. 

FUunionists^  tinder  General  Breckinridge^  6,000.  Killed.^  400;  wounded.,  660; 
prisoners^  102. 

TriE  rebel  leaders,  priding  themselves  on  their  formidable  iron- 
clad, the  Arkansas,  determined  to  employ  it  to  drive  aw.ay  and 
destroy  the  Union  fleet  which  held  New  Orleans  and  its  vicinity; 
atid,  by  the  aid  of  a land  force,  to  expel  the  Unionists  from  the 
Southwest.  At  Baton  Rouge,  the  capital  of  Louisiana,  a garrison 
of  Federal  troops  was  stationed,  ably  commanded  by  General  Wil- 
liams ; this  force  routed  and  the  gun-boats  destroyed,  the  way  was 
open  for  tbe  re-capture  of  the  Crescent  City. 

The  Confederate  General  Breckinridge  started  on  the  expedition 
on  the  2Cth  of  July,  with  an  army  of  6,000  men.  The  Arkansas 
was  to  descend  the  river  and  engage  the  gun-boats,  while  Breckin- 
ridge attacked  the  land  force.  The  ram  delayed  her  departure 
from  Vicksburg,  and  General  Breckinridge  was  advised  that  she 
would  not  reach  Baton  Rouge  till  August  5th.  While  the  rebel 
forces  were  approaching.  General  AVilliams  was  informed  of  the 
impending  attack,  and  unwilling  to  expose  tlio  city  to  destruction, 
marched  his  little  force  to  a grove  of  some  extent  lying  to  the  east- 
ward, and  there  encamped.  About  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  4th,  information  was  received  that  the  enemy  were  approach- 
ing in  force.  The  Union  troops  were  made  ready  for  the  menacing 
assault.  At  half-past  three  the  following  morning,  the  reveille  was 


Haton  Mouge,  La. 


135 


beaten  and  they  marched  out  to  meet  the  foe.  The  engagement 
■was  brought  on  by  tlie  rebels  driving  in  the  Union  picl^ts.  Gen- 
eral Williams  immediately  forwarded  supports ; but  on  reaching 
the  scene  of  action,  they  found  the  enemy  too  strong  to  be  attacked 
successfully,  and  fell  back  to  the  front  of  the  camp,  the  rebels  in 
close  pursuit.  The  Unionists  hero  made  a stand  and  assailed  the 
foe.  The  firing  at  this  point  was  very  severe.  The  enemy  were  for 
a time  held  in  check  by  a single  regiment,  which  ])crformcd  prodi- 
gies of  valor.  General  Williams  at  this  juncture,  finding  they  were 
too  far  advanced  to  receive  supports,  ordered  them  to  again  fall 
back. 

Meanwhile  Breckinridge’s  forces  succeeded  in  flanking  the  Fede- 
ral troops  on  the  right.  The  Union  general  in  command  discover- 
ing the  movement,  caused  his  men  to  retreat  a short  distance,  and 
pouring  upon  the  rebels  a succession  of  rapid  volleys,  dnjve  them 
with  heavy  loss.  The  battle  now  raged  intensely,  and  large  num- 
bers of  field  officers  on  both  sides  were  killed  and  wounded.  A 
Union  regiment  having  lost  all  its  field  officers.  General  Williams 
volunteered  to  lead  them  in  person.  His  generous  offer  was  greeted 
with  enthusiastic  cheers,  when  he  fell  from  Ids  horse,  mortally 
wounded.  The  command  then  devolved  on  Colonel  Cahill.  The 
contest  continued  till  the  foe  was  completely  repulsed  at  all  points. 
Then  commenced  a rapid  retreat,  the  movements  of  the  enemy 
being  accelerated  by  shell  dropped  in  their  midst  from  the  Union 
guns.  They  fled  in  confusion  to  a point  beyond  the  range  of  the 
gun-boats,  and  there  encamped.  The  Federal  loss  was  sixty  killed, 
one  hundred  and  sixty  wounded,  and  twenty-nine  missing.  The 
rebel  killed  exceeded  four  hundred,  six  hundred  aud  fifty  were 
wounded,  and  one  hundred  taken  prisoners. 

The  Arkansas,  having  reached  a point  within  fifteen  miles  of 
B.aton  Rouge,  became  disabled.  She  was  speedily  repaired,  .and  ad- 
vanced about  ten  miles  nearer  the  city  ; when  again  becoming  dis- 
abled, she  drifted  ashore.  Repairs  were  made  a secoud  time,  but 
the  engineer  reported  the  machinery"  unreliable.  The  rebels  at 
once  ordered  a trial  trip  up  the  river,  to  test  its  strength,  but  before 
she  liad  proceeded  live  hundred  yards,  another  .accident  occurred. 
The- night  was  spent  in  putting  her  in  condition  for  service,  and  .at 
eight  o’clock  she  was  moored  head  down  stream  and  cleared  for 
action.  The  Union  gun-boat  Essex,  coming  around  this  point  soon 
afterward,  fired  upon  her.  At  this  moment  her  mooring  lines 
were  cut,  and  she  started  for  the  Essex,  intending  to  run  her  down. 


136 


Cedar  Mountain^  "Va. 


Before  rea^iing  lier,  the  larboard  engine  gave  out,  and  she  made 
for  tlie  river  bank.  The  Essex  pouring  a hot  fire  into  lier,  made  a 
breach  in  lier  jtlating,  into  which  Oonnnodore  Porter  at  once  tlirew 
incendiary  shells.  The  crew  then  abandoned  their  ram,  and  in 
half  an  hour  a fearful  explosion  reduced  her  to  atoms.  Thus  ended 
the  expedition  for  the  re-capture  of  New  Orleans. 


CEDAK  MOUNTAIN,  VA. 

AuauBT  to,  1862. 

Unionists,  under  General  Banka,  7,000.  XiUed,  450 ; wounded,  660 ; missing,  230. 
DimnionUts,  under  General  T.  J.  Jackson,  30,000.  Losses,  according  to  rehel 
authoriUj,  killed,  1,000;  wounded,  1,600. 

On  Saturday  morning,  August  10th,  it  was  discovered  that  the 
enemy,  under  General  Stonewall  Jackson,  had  advanced  as  far  as 
Cedar  Mountain,  and  lield  its  wooded  sides  and  cleared  slopes. 
Only  a small  portion  of  their  force,  liowever,  was  visible.  They 
also  held  a range  of  hills  and  ravines  extending  to  the  westward. 

General  Banks  chose  an  elevated  spot,  a mile  and  a half  from  the 
mountain,  as  the  best  place  to  receive  their  attack.  During  the 
morning  the  fighting  was  confined  to  slight  skirmishes  between  the 
pickets.  At  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  a battery  in  front  at  a long 
range  opened  upon  the  Union  forces,  and  the  pickets  on  the  right  wing 
were  driven  in  hy  the  rebel  infantry.  Battery  after  battery  was 
unmasked  on  the  mountain  slopes  and  on  every  hill.  The  Federal 
batteries  were  exposed  to  fiank-fires  and  cross-fires  at  every  point. 
'I'licy  replied  shot  for  shot  till  live  o’clock,  when  the  enemy  opened 
an  enfilading  fire  of  artillery  on  the  Union  right.  General  Banks 
gave  orders  to  cease  firing  and  charge  this  battery.  Behind  it  was 
a thicket  of  oak ; and  before  the  regiment  leading  the  charge  could 
advance,  they  were  mowed  down  by  a terrific  fire  from  the  rebels 
concealed  in  the  woods ; the  rest  of  the  command  came  up  quickly, 
but  found  the  enemy  in  force  at  every  point.  The  battle  continued 
till  night,  when  the  Union  forces  retired  from  the  field. 

The  rebels  had  the  advantage  in  superiority  of  position  and  num-  ■ 
hers,  but  their  losses  were  much  larger  than  those  of  the  Unionists. 
The  Union  artillery  did  fearful  execution  in  the  dense  columns  of 
the  foe.  The  Federal  infantry  suffered  severely,  and  two  guns  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  rebels. 

The  total  loss  of  the  Unionists  was  1,400;  of  the  Disunionists, 
about  2,600. 


JOHN  1‘01‘K, 

]\[ajor-Gen.  A''ols.  and  Brevet  ]\lajor-(Jen.  U.  B.  A.,  born  in  Kaskaskia,  111., 
March  12,  1823  ; graduated  at  West  Point  in  1842.  2d-riieat.  'I’op.  Kngi- 
neei-s,  1842  ; Aug.,  1846,  under  'Taylor,  in  Me.xico ; Brevet  Ist-Lieut.,  for 
Monterey,  Sept.  23,  1846,  and  Capt.  for  Buena  Vista,  Peb.  23,  1847.  State 
of  111.  presented  him  a sword  on  his  return.  In  1 84!),  e.xjilored  Minnesota  ; in 
1850-52,  New  Mexico  ; in  1853,  on  the  Pacific  11.  R.  Survey;  in  1854  to 
1 859,  exploring  Rocky  Mt.  Region;  .Inly,  1856,  (!apt.  Attained  a high 
scientific  rei)utat ion.  Brig.-tJen.  Vols.,  May  17,  1861  ; commanded  Brigade 
in  Northern  and  Ventral  Mo.,  and  defeated  Rebels  near  Shawnee  Mound, 
March  4, 1862  ; Major-Gen.  Vols.,  March  13  ; cajitured  New  Madrid  ; aided 
in  capture  Island  No.  10,  April  7,  1862  ; in  siege  and  pursuit  from  Corinth, 
^lay  and  June,  1862;  commanded  Army  Va.,  Juno  2(),  1862  ; Brig.-Gcn. 
U.  S.  A.,  July  14,  1862  ; in  battle  of  Cedar  Mt.,  Aug.  9 ; in  battles  of  War- 
renton,  Mana.s.'-’a.s,  Gainesville,  Ac.,  Aug.-Sept.,  1862  ; resigned  Sept.  3, 1862  ; 
appointed  h)  Dep’t  of  Northwest,  where  he  defeated  Indians;  remained  in 
command  till  June  27,  1865,  when  a]>pointed  to  command  Dep't  of  Missouri 


Kettle  llun^  or  JBristo^o  Station,  Fa, 


139 


KETTLE  Rim,  OR  BRISTOW  STATION,  VA. 

August  2T,  1862. 

ZTniomstSj  under  General  Poj^ey  about  9,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  not  fai'  from 
800. 

DUnnionist^  under  General  EwcU^  nearly  Killed  and  icoundedy  about 

800 ; prisoners^  1,000. 

On  the  2Gth  of  June,  the  corps  commanded  by  Generals  Fremont, 
Banks,  and  McDo^yell  were  combined  by  order  of  the  President, 
under  the  title  of  the  “ Army  of  Virginia,”  and  General  Pope 
was  placed  at  their  head.  Ilaving  taken  the  field  on  the  29th  of 
July,  he  found  the  main  body  of  his  troops  collected  between  the 
Eapidan  and  northern  branch  of  the  Rappahannock.  Shortly  after, 
the  movements  of  Stonewall  Jackson’s  force — which  received  only 
a tenii)orar3"  check  at  Cedar  Mountain — and  the  subsocpient  ad- 
vance of  the  main  body  of  Leo’s  army,  indued  him  to  full  back  to 
the  north  of  the  Rappahannock,  which  afibrded  a better  line  of 
defense,  and  to  establish  his  headquarters  at  Warrenton. 

While  General  Pope  was  encamped  at  Warrenton,  the  rebels 
conceived  the  strategic  movement  of  marching  the  great  mass  of 
their  army  to  Manassas,  hoping  thus  to  cut  off  the  Army  of  Vir- 
ginia fi’om  its  base  of  supplies.  As  soon  as  he  was  informed  of 
their  plans,  under-estimating  the  strength  of  their  advance,  ho  set 
about  capturing  the  hostile  force  between  him  and  Washington, 
and  keeping  open  the  route  thence. 

A body  of  the  enemy  made  their  first  appearance  at  Bristow  Sta- 
tion. In  order  to  capture  them,  two  divisions  were  dispatched  to 
cut  off  their  retreat,  should  they  attempt  to  escape  through  Thor- 
oughfare Gap.  A force  was  also  dispatched  directly  to  the  latter 
point,  and  still  another  to  Gainesville.  General  Hooker  was  pre- 
pared to  attack  the  enemy  in  front,  while  General  Banks  was  to 
follow  as  a reserve,  in  the  event  of  Hooker’s  being  defeated. 

General  McDowell  was  ordered  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  being 
reinforced,  through  Thoroughfare  Gap,  by  the  great  mass  of  tho 
rebel  army,  but  reached  the  Gap  too  late  to  accomplish  his  pur- 
pose, The  foe,  having  passed  somewhat  earlier,  arrived  in  force 
at  Manassas,  on  Wednesday  evening,  when  Ewell  was  sent  for- 
ward to  Bristow  Station,  to  destroy  what  Union  supplies  might 
stand  on  the  track.  The  troops  of  the  latter  were  met  by  Hooker’s 
and  Kearny’s  divisions.  The  fight  at  the  station  resulted  in  a 
signal  victory  to  the  Unionists.  Through  a combined  infantry  and 
artillery  movement,  1,000  rebel  prisoners  were  taken.  The  enemy 

7 


140 


Groveton,  or  Manassas,  Va. 


were  driven  back  to  Manassas,  and  as  night  approached  they 
took  possession  of  the  lieiglits  across  Broad  Run.  Their  losses 
were  very  severe,  including  many  officers  killed  and  wounded. 


GROVETON,  OR  MANASSAS,  VA. 

Auodst  29, 1862. 

Unionista^  under  General  Pope,  about  25,000.  Killed  and  'icounded,  about  C,000. 
Dieunioniata,  under  General  Stonexeall  Jacfcaon,  aboxtt  27,000.  Killed,  xconnded, 
and  7nis8ing,  about  12,000. 

At  daybreak  on  Friday,  Augnst  29th,  three  divisions  of  Ileintz- 
elrnan’s  corps,  with  a single  division  of  Porter’s  corps,  came  up 
before  Manassas.  The  enemy  had  left  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  Junction,  and  the  buildings  were  burning  behind  them. 
Kearny’s  division  wJs  now  ordered  to  move  on  Centreville,  where 
the  rebels  were  posted  in  considerable  force.  The  divisidn  ad- 
vanced, driving  in  the  hostile  pickets,  and  crossed  Bull  Run  with- 
out resistance. 

Kearny  disposed  his  troops  for  battle  on  a commanding  height, 
sending  out  skirmishers  on  the  right  and  left.  Pushing  on  to 
within  a mile  of  Centreville,  they  encountered  a cavalry  regiment 
of  the  enemy,  which  immediately  charged  on  them ; the  Federal 
cavalry  skirmishers  turned  and  fled,  the  enemy  pursuing.  Arriving 
near  the  Union  infantry  line,  the  i)ursuers  were  met  by  a heavy  Are 
and  thrown  back  in  great  confusion.  Kearny  immediately  ad- 
vanced to  Centreville,  and  occupied  it  without  molestation.  Hooker 
and  Reno  had  previously  encamped  three  miles  in  the  rear,  and 
Sigel  had  come  up  from  Manassas.  The  skirmishers  of  the  latter, 
as  they  advanced,  met  those  of  the  enemy  and  drove  them  in  : and 
Sigel  began  to  shell  the  woods;  when  the  enemy  opened  with 
artillery  from  beyond. 

At  half-past  ten  the  rebels  appeared  in  great  force,  and  two  divi- 
sions of  Ileintzelman’s  corps  were  ordered  to  the  front.  A single 
brigade  fought  the  enemy  desperately  for  about  two  hours ; but, 
being  overjiowercd  by  superior  numbers,  gave  way  so  far  as  to  ex- 
pose the  flank  of  Hooker’s  division  ; and  now,  for  the  first  time  in 
the  war.  Hooker  /ell  hack.  The  rebels  gained  a position  behind 
the  embankment  of  a new  railroad.  Kearny,  leaving  one  brigade 
to  hold  the  right  flank  of  the  Union  forces,  immediately  changed 
front,  and  attacked  the  enemy  in  flank.  They  were  driven  across 


the  railroad  and  through  the  woods.  An  artillery  fire  now  being 
opened,  the  rebels  were  forced  to  a precipitate  retreat,  and  pressed 
hard  by  the  Unionists  to  the  heights  beyond  the  wood.  Night  com- 
ing on,  the  farther  advance  of  the  Federal  troops  was  arrested. 


BTHi,L  KUN,  VA. 

(SROOND  BATTLR  OP  BULL  RUN.) 

August  30,  1862. 

VnionisU^  under  General  Pope-^  40,000.  P7'oha'ble  losses:  in  killed^  about  800; 

tcounded^  nearly  4,000 ; prisoners^  not  including  •wounded^  about  8,000. 
Pisunionist^  under  General  Lee^  numbers  not  reported^  but  greatly  exceeding 
those  of  the  Union  army.  Killed^  about  700  ; wounded^  according  to  rebel 
authority.,  about  8,000. 

Satukday  morning,  August  30th,  dawned  upon  the  Union  army 
drawn  up  upon  the  old  battle-ground  of  Hull  Run,  to  the  right  of 
tlie  'iVarrenton  turnpike.  Its  lines  extended  in  a crescent  form, 
witl»  the  center  considerably  advanced ; while  those  of  the  rebel 
army  confronted  it  in  a long  incurving  parallel.  General  Sigel 
commanded  the  Federal  right,  General  Reno  the  center,  and  Gen- 
eral McDowell  the  left. 

The  battle  begun,  long  before  daylight,  with  a heavy  fire 
of  artillery ; and  as  the  sun  flashed  his  beams  across  the  hills,  vol- 
leys of  musketry  became  mingled  with  the  roar  of  cannon,  till 
the  fearful  din  was  re-echoed  by  the  distant  mountains.  As  on 
the  preceding  day,  the  burden  of  attack  was  thrown  upon  the 
Union  army.  The  enemy,  sheltering  themselves  under  cover  of 
woods,  ditches,  and  hillocks,  poured  tremendous  volleys  in  the  faces 
of  the  Federal  troops  as  they  advanced  ; and  n)et  bayonet  charge 
with  bayonet  charge,  as  tempest  meets  tempest,  with  unyielding 
shock.  But  all  day  long  the  Union  center  and  right  bore  up  hero- 
ically, and  maintained  an  obstinate  struggle  against  greatly  superior 
numbers.  Wide  chasms  were  opened  in  their  lines  by  the  terrible 
death-swarths  of  the  enemy ; yet  no  sooner  did  the  rebel  hosts 
press  forward  to  avail  themselves  of  the  openings,  than  the  ranks 
closed  up,  and  met  the  shock  with  adamantine  front. 

On  the  left,  however,  the  Union  forces  were  less  successful.  At 
five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  enemy  massed  heavy  columns 
against  them;  and  from  a concealed  position  in  the  woods  sud- 
denly opened  a tremendous  fire  of  batteries  upon  their  exhausted 
lines.  Direful  confusion  spread  through  the  ranks,  heightened,  if  not 
occasioned,  by  a large  body  of  stragglers  that  swarmed  in  the  vicinity. 


142 


Bull  liun,  Va. 


and  which  rushed  in  a wild  stampede  toward  the  rear.  Then  came  a 
terrible  crisis.  Had  the  panic  spread  from  the  bewildered  running 
wretches  through  the  main  body  of  the  army,  the  roads  and  ravines 
of  the  old  battle-ground  might  have  witnessed  another  such  pitiful 
scene  as  in  the  dark  days  of  1861.  The  Union  left  turned,  and 
beaten  back  in  confusion,  no  one  could  tell  what  wild  disorder  and 
ruin  might  ensue.  But  the  quick  eye  o^  the  Federal  General  Bu- 
ford took  in  tlie  position  at  a glance.  Ordering  his  cavalry  brigade 
to  form  in  regimental  line,  his  bugles  sounded  the  wild  notes  of  the 
charge,  and  in  another  moment  the  hoofs  of  1,200  horses  waked  the 
thundering  echoes  of  the  glens.  Down  the  slope  and  out  on  the 
level  ground  the  impetuous  squadrons  swept,  and  crashed  against 
the  enemy’s  cavalry  that  were  gathering  to  charge  upon  the  shat- 
tered Union  lines.  It  was  a desperate  chance  for  the  safety  of  more 
than  five  thousand  men,  and  the  Federal  horsemen  never  drew 
rein  until  they  had  dashed  through  and  through  the  enemy’s 
squadrons.  There  was  a cloud  of  dust  and  smoke,  out  of  which 
came  jiistol  shots,  crack  of  carbines,  and  clash  of  steel  upon  steel, 
and  shouts  and  yells,  mingled  like  the  wild  uproar  of  Pandemo- 
nium. Before  this  impetuous  charge,  the  rebel  cavalry  fled  like 
leaves  before  the  autumn  blast.  The  moment  of  danger  was 
passed.  For  a quarter  of  an  hour,  Buford  held  his  ground  ; w'hilo 
the  Union  left  swung  around  till  it  found  support  from  the  center. 

But  recovering  from  their  disorderly  retreat,  the  enemy  gathered 
for  a dash  on  Buford’s  brigade.  In  a few  moments  it  was  attacked 
by  an  eq\ial  force  of  cavalry,  supported  by  a powerful  body  of  infan- 
try and  artillery.  Unable  to  withstand  such  overwhelming  numbers, 
the  order  was  given  to  fall  back,  and  was  reluctantly  obeyed.  The 
enemy  pursued  for  nearly  a mile.  But  at  length  the  retreating  col- 
umns stopped  ; batteries  were  quickly  placed  in  position,  and  from 
their  fiery  throats  there  burst  forth  upon  the  venturesome  foe,  as  ho 
approached  within  short  range,  an  iron  tempest  that  swept  down 
his  heroes  by  scores.  A Union  division  was  at  once  pushed  forward 
from  the  center ; the  enemy  retreated,  and  the  lost  ground  was 
regained. 

Sigel  had  turned  the  enemy’s  left  at  about  the  same  time  their 
right  had  turned  the  opposing  Federal  flank ; and  now  as  night 
spread  its  broad  wings  over  the  bloody  field,  the  wide  arched  lines 
embraced  nearly  the  same  ground  as  in  the  early  morning. 

The  slaughter  liad  been  terrible.  The  dead  and  dying  lay  in 
mangled  heaps  ; and  on  the  left,  w^here  McDowell’s  men  had  swept 


. Plak  or  THE 

Battler  OF  grove  ton 

IJi'i.i.  Khn 

llu-  3<l“‘..r  Ai.oml  18G2, 
I'.Eli'-  I’o  [ m;’s  ('  a Hi]l  ai^IL . 


SV 


Ifetnt%e1nm/ff/*orpr'  onth^rifjUi  ' Si^eis  forpS- 

Hoak:  t'&’  OivUiatt  ••»  //.~  /'■/'/  r.-n/r^  ! Dh'tsioik  Mturf. 

fCcfirtii'y  's  liiyi,-i(Ht  .W  iirnks  Oiv:  ^ A>>rx,'//mM'.vA'.i'  Bri'i/adr 

Heno\‘  :"ot‘p.v  ri,/h/  (’rn/r<-'  !.  M‘‘ Lrnits  Bn'i^udr  , \ 'i_ScUitiHtielfenit!^ 

j ?.  S't^hriT  - ' 1^,  Milrtn  ! S.  .V  vktW  /Iri^'u^/f  r^t/:  Partf'rr  (*(•*■ 


i(T.  lR.cyhotds:l)i- 

{ withdra^^n  fdiorlly 


Si  rhnvrhf.y  Dt\‘ 
.7.  fupltiTX 


\XJiiJfrxott.<  Snd-jth',  Iri}  \ 


■ .\U  A^rtrraf  Cori*s  fetirintf 

1 th*  mru/i  Xfi  ark  romrurK^t'^ 


ri  n ^ (hr  Rrtrrat 

,V.  Crt^uili' 


L. — i),-,mi,  ,c-  ,u,/nn;;l  A./  ILJU./.<n//.\t-‘  .V  V. 


145 


Richmond^  JCy. 


to  and  fro  in  the  midst  of  the  fearful  carnage,  the  stricken  forms 
were  stretched  in  long  lines ; like  the  waves  of  a bloody  sea,  the 
space  between  whose  crests  marked  the  intervals  between  the 
death-dealing  volleys  of  the  enemy. 

In  the  evening  General  Pope  gave  orders  to  withdraw  leisurely 
to  Centreville ; and  the  retreat  was  effected  slowly  and  in  good 
order,  without  pursuit. 


RICHMOND,  KY. 

August  29  and  30,  1862. 

UnionisUiy  under  Oenerals  Maneon  and  Cvufty  7,000.  Killed y 200 ; woundedy  700; 

prifionerfiy  2,000. 

jyisunionifitSy  under  General  K.  Kirhy  Smithy  16,000.  Killed y 250  ; xonundedy  500. 

August  22d,  General  E.  Kirby  Smith  left  .Tacksborough,  Tcnn., 
with  his  eorps  and  a train  of  150  wagons,  and  passed  tlirough  Big 
Creek  Gap  in  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  a route  of  great  difficulty. 
On  the  30th,  he  appeared  near  Richmond,  Ky.,  and  encountered  a 
Union  force  seven  thousand  strong.  The  Federal  troops,  under 
command  of  Generals  Manson  and  Cruft,  were  raw  recruits,  many 
of  them  having  been  only  ten  days  in  the  service.  The  rebel  force 
numbered  sixteen  thousand,  all  veterans,  and  though  wearied  .and 
worn  by  recent  marches,  were  in  better  condition  for  fighting  than 
the  Unionists. 

General  Manson  being  informed,  on  the  29th,  that  the  enemy  was 
approaching,  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  piroceedcd  a mile  and  a 
half  on  the  road,  when  the  rebel  cavalry  appeared.  The  Union 
artillery  at  once  commenced  shelling  them,  and  they  retreated 
rapidly.  General  Manson’s  army  advanced  after  them  to  Rogers- 
ville,  and  there  bivouacked  for  the  night.  A cavalry  regiment  was 
sent  out  to  see  how  far  the  foe  had  gone,  and  met  them  seven  miles 
distant;  they  were  in  force,  and  fired  upon  the  Union  cavalry, 
which  immediately  returned. 

At  four  o’clock  the  following  morning  the  Union  general  ordered 
his  men  to  stand  to  arms.  Two  hours  later,  ascertaining  that  the 
enemy  were  approaching,  he  dispatched  an  order  to  General  Cruft 
to  join  him  as  soon  as  possible,  with  the  forces  under  his  command, 
lie  then  advanced  half  a mile,  attacked  the  enemy,  driving  them 
back  for  some  distance,  and  took  a good  position,  where^  he  fought 
for  two  hours.  At  length,  however,  he  was  compelled  to  fall  back, 
the  enemy  having  outflanked  him,  and  some  of  his  i-egiments  being 


146 


Chantilly,  Fa. 


panic-stricken.  Eetreating  about  a mile,  he  was  reinforced  by  two 
fresh  regiments.  They  were  again  drawn  up  in  line,  on  the  ground 
occu[)ied  tlie  previous  evening.  Here  ensued  a second  t)attle,  fiercer 
and  more  warmly  contested  than  the  first,  but  which  also  terminat- 
ed in  retreat,  the  rebels  bringing  up  fresh  troops,  and  massing  them  .r 
so  heavily  on  Manson’s"  right  wing  as  to  overpower  it. 

At  this  juncture  Major-General  Nelson  came  upon  the  field,  and 
finding  that  the  enemy  did  not  press  upon  the  retre.ating  force, 
ordered  them  to  make  a stand  near  the  cemetery  in  the  town  of 
Itichmond.  Itallying  about  two  thousand  live  hundred  men,  a 
third  battle  was  fought  for  half  an  hour,  when,  thoroughly  worn 
out,  and  their  ammunition  failing,  they  again  fled  in  disorder.  Once 
more  General  Manson  endeavored  to  form  a rear-guard  to  protect 
the  retreat,  but  the  retiring  troops  soon  began  to  fall  back  on  the 
rear-guard.  The  enemy’s  cavalry  had  been  sent  by  other  roads  to 
intercept  their  retreat,  and  were  now  in  front  of  them  in  such 
numbers  as  to  leave  no  afternative  but  death,  or  submission  to  the 
enemy.  There  was  a brief  but  sharp  struggle.  General  Manson 
was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner ; General  Nelson  was  also  wound- 
ed ; and  those  of  the  troops  who  did  not  make  their  escape  through 
some  of  the  by-roads  were  compelled  to  surrender. 

The  Union  loss  was  reported  at  two  hundred  killed,  seven  hun- 
dred wounded,  and  two  thousand  prisoners.  Nine  pieces  of  artil- 
lery were  captured  by  the  rebels,  also  a few  wagons  and  some  camp 
equipage.  The  enemy’s  loss,  according  to  their  own  acknowledg- 
ments, was  two  hundred  and  fifty  killed  and  five  hundred  wounded. 


CHANTILLY,  VA. 

Sei>tkmbeii  1,  1662. 

UnionUtSy  'under  OeneraU  TtenOy  Kearnijy  and  Sl&venHy  about  14,000.  Killedy 
woundedy  and  miaaingy  Twtfarfnnn  1,800. 
jyiinmionintSy  under  General^  JacksoUy  Ewelly  and  Uilly  numbers  not  reported, 
LosstSy  not  reported. 

General  Reno,  holding  with  his  division  a position  three  miles 
from  Centreville,  was  attacked  by  part  of  the  rebel  forces  under 
JacksOn,  Ewell,  and  Hill  about  five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  The 
enemy,  attempting  a flank  movement  to  put  themselves  between 
General  Pope  and  Washington  again,  had  marched  rapidly  across 
the  fields  occupied  by  the  Union  army  after  the  reverse  of  Satur- 


PHILIP  LEAUNY, 


) 

) 

] 

i 

) 

) 

‘} 

) 


Late  Major-Gen.  Yols.,  l)oni  in  N.  Y.  (iii.y,  June  2,  181.'} ; killed  at  battle  of 
Chantilly,  Sept.  1,  1802.  lie  was  educated  for  the  law,  Imt,  in  18.37,  was 
appointed  2d-Lient.  1st  U.  S.  Dragoons,  and  soon  afler  sent  to  Europe,  to  re- 
port on  French  Cavalry  tactics.  'J'herc  he  entered  the  Polytechnic  School  ; 
was  a volunteer  in  ranks  of  Chasseurs  (rA/n'([ue  in  Algeria  ; returned  in 
1830,  with  Cross  of  Ijogion  of  Honor.  Ist-Lt.,  1839  ; Aide  to  Gen.  IMacoiub, 
1840,  and  to  Gen.  Scott,  1841— 14 ; Capt.  Dragoons,  1840;  escort  of  Gen. 
Scott,  when  he  enten'd  Yera  Cruz;  Drevid.  Major,  for  Conlri'ras  and  Churu- 
bn.sco  ; lost  his  arm  at  San  Antonio  Gate  of  Me.xico  ; coimnand('r  in  Califor- 
nia and  Oregon,  1848-.9]  ; resigned,  18;71  ; studied  Itlililary  .Science  in  Eu- 
rope; Aide  to  French  Gen.  Morin,  in  Italian  campaign,  1859,  and  received 
second  Cross  of  Legion  of  1 lonor,  from  Emperor  Napoleon  III.  In  1801, 
hastened  home;  appointed  I5rig.-Gen.  Yols.,  July,  1801,  commission  dating 
from  ]\Iay  17  ; commanded  N.  J.  Brigade,  and  then  a Division  in  Ilcintzel- 
man’s  Corps;  at  IVilliamsburg,  Fair  Oak, s,  "White  Oak  Swamp,  Cross  Hoads, 
Malvern  Hills,  and  in  all  the  later  battles  of  Pope's  campaign,  to  Chantilly, 
where  he  was  kilted.  Commissioned  Major-Gen.  A'’ols.,  July  4, 1802. 


1 

I 


Turner's  Gap,  South  Mou7iiain,  Md.  149 

day.  Their  artillery,  therefore,  had  not  arrived ; but  Reno  found 
himself  at  the  outset  confronted  by  a heavy  force  of  infantry.  An 
engagement  was  maintained  an  hour,  before  Reno  received  reinforce- 
ments. Meanwhile  the  aiumunitiGii  of  the  Union  troops  becoming 
exhausted,  they  were  obliged  to  give  ground.  General  Reno  now 
occupied  the  right,  and  General  Stevens  commanded  on  the  left ; 
the  latter  moved  with  determination  against  the  enemy,  but  while 
leading  the  assault,  fell  mortally  wounded.  His  troops  became 
disheartened  at  the  loss  of  their  leader  and  retired  in  disorder. 

Soon  after.  General  Kearny  advanced  to  Reno’s  support,  Tho 
retirement  of  Stevens’  division  bad  left  an  opening  through  which 
the  rebels  were  rapidly  advancing,  unknown  to  tho  Union  troops. 
General  Kearny  ordered  a brigade  to  move  to  tho  left  of  the  posi- 
tion held  by  Stevens;  and  hearing  that  the  foe  was  coming  upon 
the  center,  rode  forward  himself  to  make  a recon noissance  of  tho 
ground  and  the  enemy.  Venturing  beyond  tho  Union  lines,  ho 
was  shot,  and  his  body  fell  into  rebel  hands ; but  was  delivered  to 
the  Unionists,  under  flag  of  truce,  the  following  day. 

General  Rirney  at  once  assumed  command  of  the  division,  and 
repelled  the  threatened  flank  movement.  It  soon  became  apparent, 
however,  that  nearly  the  whole  force  of  the  rebels  was  massed  on 
the  left,  and  General  Birney  re-opened  the  engagement  in  that  posi- 
tion. A heavy  fire  was  kept  up  for  half  an  hour,  in  the  midst  of  a 
terrific  thunder-storm.  It  was  difiicult  to  keep  ammunition  dry; 
but,  with  the  advantage  of  artillery,  severe  losses  were  inflicted  upon 
the  enemy.  Finding  their  volleys  gi'ow  weaker,  the  Union  troops 
were  ordered  to  make  a bayonet  charge.  Three  regiments  advanced 
with  gallantry  and  determination,  in  tho  face  of  a heavy  fire,  and 
almost  instantly  decided  the  contest.  The  rebels  broke  and  ran, 
abandoned  the  field,  and  made  no  effort  to  renew  the  battle.  The 
whole  number  of  killed  and  wounded  in  General  Birney’s  brigade 
was  not  over  200.  General  Reno’s  loss  did  not  exceed  this. 

4.,>. 

TURNER’S  GAP,  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN,  MD. 

Septembeh  14,  1862. 

VTiionisii,  under  General  McClellan,  80,000.  Killed,  448 ; wounded,  1,806  ; pris- 
oners, T6. 

Disunionisis,  under  General  Zee,  30,000.  Killed,  600;  wounded,  2,343  ; ^)ri80)i- 
ere,  1,500. 

Tuk  battle  of  South  Mountain  occurred  Sunday,  September  14, 
and  resulted  in  a complete  victory  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 


150. 


Harper's  Ferry ^ "Fa. 


Tlio  battle-field  was  loeated  chiefly  in  Turner’s  Gap,  in  a gorge  of 
the  mountain,  between  Middletown  and  IJoonesboro.  At  mid-day 
the  corps  under  General  Heno  was  ordered  to  ascend  the  mountain 
on  the  left,  and  attack  the  enemy’s  flank.  At  three  o’clock  his 
troops  were  brought  into  action.  The  rattle  of  musketry  for  about 
half  an  hour  was  terrible,  when  the  enemy  gave  way,  leaving  the 
Unionists  in  possession  of  the  ridge.  The  loss  on  both  sides  was 
considerable.  Major-General  Eeno  was  killed  while  reconnoiteriug 
in  the  woods  at  the  left  of  his  batteries. 

General  Hooker  now  ascended  the  mountain  on  the  right,  to 
assail  the  rebel  left.  He  brought  his  troops  into  position,  and 
moved  upon  the  enemy.  Success  again  crowned  the  Union  arms, 
and  the  foe  was  driven  with  great  slaughter.  The  rebel  losses  here 
were  severer  than  at  any  other  point  on  the  battle-field. 

General  Gibbon’s  brigade  was  next  ordered  to  move  up  the 
gorge  of  the  mountain.  This  brigade  did  not  get  into  action  till 
after  dark,  but  fought  till  nearly  nine  o’clock.  The  rebels  were 
driven  back  about  a mile,  when  the  brigade  was  relieved  by  a por- 
tion of  Sumner’s  corps,  which  held  the  position  during  the  night. 

At  daylight  the  following  morning,  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
rebels,  under  the  fidendly  shade  of  night,  had  left  for  the  Potomac, 
abandoning  their  dead  upon  the  field,  and  the  wounded  unable  to 
walk  were  found  in  the  churches  of  Hoonesboro. 

General  McClellan  was  on  the  field  during  the  entire  day  and 
night,  commanding  all  movements  in  person.  Hetween  twelve 
and  fifteen  hundred  prisoners  were  taken  during  the  day.  The 
entire  rebel  loss  was  over  4,000 ; the  Union  loss,  less  than  2,400. 




HARPER’S  FERRY,  VA. 

September  14, 1862. 

UnionistR^  under  Colonel  Miles^  necu-bj  14,000.  80;  wounded.,  120; 

onere^  11,583. 

Jjisunioniats,  under  General  A,  P.  Hill,  about  25,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  1,500. 

Septemheu  14th,  the  Union  cause  incurred  a serious  disaster  at 
Harper’s  Ferry.  Colonel  Miles,  of  the  regular  army,  was  intrusted 
with  this  important  post.  On  the  3d  of  So[)tembcr  ho  was  rein- 
forced by  the  troops  under  General  White  from  Wincliester,  and 
still  later  by  the  Martinsburg  garrison  and  four  regiments  of  raw 
recruits.  The  village  of  Harper’s  Ferry  is  not  tenable  as  a mili- 
tary position,  being  commanded  by  three  hills — Maryland  Heights, 


BOIJS'.Ut.  LOnjON  ft  .>LAK\'L.\XU: 

nEiGirrs, 


J\arc  Uouse'^J^^Sv^j 


i[j[ 

ij  ir--!^! 

.S.MiisloeUEictT'V 


S!?rom  Island 


_Dinti7i((’  engraved, fbrKlUlL(TWJtCf. 2>rY. 


Isbind 


153 


Harper's  Ferry^  Fa. 

Bolivar  Ileiglits,  and  Loudon  Heights.  The  firsLmentioned  is  the 
highest,  and  commands  the  other  two  as  well  as  the  village  itself. 
The  holding  of  Maryland  Heights  was  assigned  to  Colonel  Ford, 
who  commanded  a force  of  1,660  men.  On  his  representation  that 
more  troops  and  implements  for  intrenchments  were  required,  Col- 
onel Miles  forwarded  2,250  men,  but  disregarded  the  reqi^est  for 
intrenching  tools.  .A  slight  breast-work  was  erected,  and  some 
ineffectual  efforts  made  for  defense. 

Toward  night  on  the  12th,  skirmishing  commenced  on  the  brow 
of  the  hill.  The  following  morning,  the  enemy  made  an  attack, 
and  the  troops  retired  to  the  breast-work.  A second  assault  was 
made;  and  after  a short  contest.  Colonel  Sherrill,  of  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-sixth  New  York,  was  wounded,  and  most  of  his 
regiment  turned  and  retreated,  many  of  those  in  command  joining 
in  the  disgraceful  flight.  Soon  after,  the  remaining  forces  aban- 
doned the  redoubt.  They  subsequently  advanced  again,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Ford,  but  failed  to  regain  their  former  posi- 
tion. The  rebels  did  not  renew  the  attack  after  mid-day.  Mean- 
while Colonel  Miles  conferred  with  Colonel  Ford  ; and,  although  ho 
had  previously  admitted  to  General  'White  the  necessity  of  holding 
Maryland  Heights,  he  gave  Colonel  Ford,  on  the  night  of  the  13th, 
discretionary  power  to  yield  the  position  if  ho  deemed  it  advisable, 
and  in  the  event  of  abandoning  it,  to  disable  the  guns  and  throw 
them  down  the  bill.  Colonel  Miles,  however,  on  further  reflec- 
tion, revoked  the  order,  and  commanded  him  to  hold  the  Heights, 
which  he  considered  perfectly  tenable.  ‘About  two  o’clock  in  tho 
afternoon  of  the  14th,  Colonel  Ford  disregarded  the  order,  aban- 
doned the  position,  and  withdrew  his  men  across  the  river,  only 
partially  spiking  the  guns,  rendering  as  a reason  that  his  troops 
refused  to  fight,  whereas  only  a single  regiment  fell  back. 

Colonel  Miles  still  held  and  had  strengthened  Bolivar  Heights,  but 
as  Maryland  Heights  commanded  the  position,  it  could  not  be  defend- 
ed for  any  length  of  time.  Later  in  the  day,  the  rebels  attacked  Miles’ 
extreme  left,  but,  after  some  fighting,  were  repulsed.  No  engage- 
ment oceurred  during  the  night,  and  the  Federal  cavalry,  number- 
ing about  2,000,  escaped  from  Harper’s  Ferry  with  tho  consent  of 
the  commanding  officer.  Monday,  the  15th,  the  enemy  opened  fire 
at  daybreak,  and  at  seven  o’clock  Colonel  Milos  announced  that 
tho  ammunition  for  the  batteries  bad  failed  (which  afterward  proved 
untrue),  and  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  surrender. 

A white  flag  was  accordingly  hoisted,  and  General  'White  dis- 


154 


Antietam  CreeTc — -Sharpshiirg^  Md. 

patched  to  capitulate  with  the  enemy.  Tlio  fire  continued  for  one 
hour  after  tlie  signal  for  surrender  was  given,  and  during  that  time 
Colonel  Miles  was  mortally  wounded. 

The  rebel  commander  at  first  declared  no  other  terms  hut  uncon- 
ditional surrender  acceptable ; but  subsequently  the  officers  were 
permitlj^d  to  go  out  with  their  side-arms  and  private  eflects,  and 
the  men  with  everything  save  arms  and  equipments. 

The  rebels  took  11,583  prisoners — who  were  at  once  parolled  ; 
about  the  same  number  of  Enfield  rifles — a greater  part  of  which 
had  been  rendered  worthless ; forty-seven  cannon — seventeen  of 
them  rifled  pieces,  and  one  a fifty-pound  Parrott ; also  six  days’ 
provision  for  twelve  thousand  men,  and  considerable  ammunition. 
Seven  of  the  guns,  however,  were  disabled. 

This  early  disaster  to  the  Union  army  resulted  in  great  advan- 
tage to  the  enemy  ; since  the  attacking  force,  now  well  supplied 
with  provision,  and  valuable  additions  to  tlieir  artillery  and  ummuo 
nition,  were  enabled  to  join  Lee’s  army  in  season  for  the  battle  of 
Antietam. 


ANTIETAM  CEEEK-SHAEPSBUEG,  MD. 

Septembeb  16  AND  17,  1662. 

Unlonif^U^  under  General  McClellan^  87,164.  Killed^  2,010;  •wounded^  9.416; 
missing,  1,013  ; total  Ions,  12,469. 

Vimnionists,  under  /.ee,  97,000.  Numhers  placed  hors  de  comhat,  ac- 

cording to  rebel  acknawledgrnintx^from  14,000  to  15,000  ; according  id  General 
McClellands  eathnatcH,  8,500  killed  and-  16,899  wounded ; prisoners,  not  includ- 
ing  wounded,  about  2,060.  Total  loss  {^slatentcnt  bused  on  McClellands  esti- 
mutes),  22,559. 

AftiiK  the  brilliant  victory  of  South  ^fountain.  General  McClel- 
lan pursued  tlie  enemy  as  far  as  Keedysville,  near  Antietam  Creek. 
The  rebels  having  taken  a strong  position  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  creek,  the  two  armies  remained  quietly  confronting  each  other 
during  Monday  night  and  most  of  the  following  day,  yet  busily 
preparing  for  the  terrible  struggle  that  must  shortly  ensue. 

The  ground  on  which  Lee’s  army  was  drawn  up  was  a crescent- 
shaped  ridge  facing  the  creek,  toward  which  it  presented  a gentle 
and  smoothly  sweeping  slope,  but  on  the  farther  side  extended  in 
a woody  and  broken  table-land,  affording  ample  cover  tor  troops. 
The  crest  and  high  background  of  the  ridge  gave  abundaqt  room 
for  military  movements ; while  it  could  be  approaclied  only  from 
the  vicinity  of  the  creek,  at  great  disadvantage,  and  with  the  assail- 
ants exposed  to  an  unusually  long  range  of  fire. 


155 


> 

Antietam  Creek — Sharpshurg,  Md. 

The  situation  being  tlius  greatly  in  favor  of  the  enemy,  it  re- 
quired all  of  General  McClellan’s  courage  aud  ability  to  meet  him 
in  what — it  was  believed — would  j)rove  the  most  decisive  battle 
of  the  war.  The  issue  wa^  of  immeasurable  importance.  If  the 
Federal  army  were  defeated,  it  might  result  in  the  early  capture 
of  Washington,  and  the  dictation  of  ignominious  terms  of  peace; 
if  victory  perched  upon  its  banners,  the  military  strength  of  the 
rebellion  might  be  irretrievably  broken,  and  the  national  authority 
restored  upon  a firm  foundation.  The  fate  of  the  nation  seemed 
trembling  in  the  balance.  But  the  North  demanded  that  the  ruth- 
less invader  should  be  met  at  whatever  peril,  aud  if  possible  swept 
from  its  soil  and  terribly  punished  for  his  temerity.  Its  trusted 
leader,  therel'ore,  accepted  the  fearful  risk,  with  all  its  gigantic 
consequences. 

The  stream  which  divided  the  armies  was  fordable  only  at  points 
remote  from  each  other,  aud  the  bridges  in  the  vicinity  were  j)er- 
fectly  commanded  by  the  enemy’s  batteries.  The  Unionists  w’cre 
drawn  up  facing  the  creek,  behind  low  disconnected  ridges,  all  or 
nearly  all  uuwooded.  These  ridges  rendered  the  ground  unfavor- 
able for  infantry  or  cavalry  movements;  but  alforded  some  cover 
for  artillery,  aud  thus  admitted  the  massing  of  batteries  against  the 
rebel  center.  Availing  himself  of  the  latter  advantage,  General 
McClellan  posted  hero  mo.st*bf  his  ai  tillcry,  supported  by  strong 
reserves  under  Generals  Porter  and  Sykes.  General  Burnside’s 
corps  was  stationed  on  the  left,  forming  the  southern  wing  of  the 
army ; and  the  remaining  corps  on  the  right. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon.  General  Hooker  was  ordered  to  cross 
Antietam  Creek  and  feel  the  -enemy’s  left,  so  as  to  be  ready  for 
an  attack  early  the  next  mol-ning.  At  four  o’clock  he  succeeded 
in  fording  the  stream,  without  opposition,  well  to  the  right.  Front- 
ing southwest,  his  line  advanced  diagonally  toward  the  rebel  flank, 
overlapping  and  threatening  it. 

Cavalry  skirmishers  were  sent  forward,  who  dashed  through  the 
woods  aud  across  the  fields,  driving  the  enemy’s  pickets  before  them 
until  they  suddenly  came  upon  a rebel  battery  which  drove  them 
hack  in  confusion.  The  whole  corps  was  now  ordered  to  advance; 
and,  moving  forward  in  a compact  body,  they  came  at  last  to  a 
broad  open  s[)ace  flanked  by  woods,  and  commanded  on  the  right 
by  a hill.  Detachments  pressed  into  the  woods,  and  w'ere  met  at 
once  by  rebel  shots;  but  being  promptly  supported,  advanced  aud 
cleared  the  timber.  Heavy  volleys  now  opened  on  the  left  and 


156 


Antletam  Greek — Sharpsburg^  Md. 

front,  and  a battle  seemed  imminent.  The  Union  lines  were  skill- 
fully formed,  and  batteries  were  placed  on  the  hill,  which  replied 
with  deadly  clFcct  to  a rebel  battery  that  had  begun  a severe  enfi- 
lading fire  upon  the  Federal  center.  But  night  was  fast  settling 
over  forest  and  glade,  and  the  position  of  the  foe  could  bo  clearly 
discerned  only  by  the  flashes  of  his  guns,  llis  lines  were  pushed 
boldly  forward  on  the  right,  but  made  no  attempt  to  regain  their 
hold  on  the  woods.  The  fight  flashed  and  glimmered,  and  at  length 
faded  ; till  finally  it  went  out  in  darkness. 

When  the  firing  ceased,  the  hostile  lines  lay  down  close  to  each 
other,  their  pickets  so  near  that  six  rebels  were  captured  during 
the  night.  It  was  inevitable  that  the  conflict  would  be  renewed  at 
daylight.  General  McClellan  was  informed  of  the  condition  of 
affairs,  and  ordered  Mansfield’s  and  Sumner’s  corps  to  reinforce 
Hooker  early  in  the  morning.  From  the  extent  of  the  rebel  lines 
developed  during  the  evening,  it  was  plain  they  had  gathered  their 
whole  army  behind  the  heights  and  were  waiting  the  shock  of  the 
morrow. 

The  battle  began  with  the  dawn.  The  field  of  conflict  during 
most  of  the  day  was  an  open  plain  stretching  along  the  crest  of  the 
hill,  a cornfield  beyond,  and  masses  of  woods  projecting  into  the 
jdain  like  promontories  into  the  sea.  The  first  attack  of  Hooker’s 
advance  was  stubbornly  resisted.  For  a full  half  hour  of  desperate 
combat,  the  line  of  fire  swayed  neither  way.  The  Union  troops 
saw  their  general  everywhere  in  frotit,  never  unoxposed  to  danger; 
and  insj)ircd  by  his  bravo  example,  fought  with  irresistible  courage. 
At  length  the  rebels  began  to  yield  a little,  and  at  the  first  indica- 
tion of  their  receding,  the  word  “forward!”  was  given,  and  on 
swept  the  Federal  line  with  an  enthusiastic  cheer.  Bearing  the 
shattered  masses  of  the  enemy  before  it,  as  a wave  bears  the  frag- 
ments of  a wreck,  it  rolled  across  the  open  field,  and  smote  impet- 
uously against  the  woody  covert  beyond.  But  suddenly  from  out 
that  gloomy  thicket  came  heavy  and  terrible  volleys,  from  fresh 
ranks  of  the  foe.  The  woods  seemed  skirted  with  flame,  and  before 
its  consuming  flashes,  the  Union  line  staggered,  bent,  and  fled  panic- 
stricken  over  half  the  distance  they  had  won.  Pursued  by  the 
enemy  in  overwhelming  numbers,  they  now  fell  slowly  back  to 
their  first  position,  their  cartridge-boxes  exhausted  of  the  last 
round  of  ammunition.  A regiment  returned  where  a brigade  had 
stood ; a brigade,  to  the  place  of  a whole  division.  In  ten  minutes 
the  fortune  of  the  day  seemed  to  have  changed. 


157 


Antietam  Creek — Sharpshurg^  Md. 


The  rebels  -n-ere  now  pouring  forth  in  endless  lines  from  the 
woods,  and  sweeping  across  tlie  open  field.  Uooker  sent  his 
nearest  brigade  to  meet  the  shock;  but  it  yielded  before  the 
weight  of  the  onset.  Another  brigade  was  called  for,  and  at  the 
peril  of  weakening  the  right,  Doubleday  was  ordered  to  send  thither 
his  best  troops.  IlartsufF’s  brigade  was  instantly  dispatched,  and 
as  they  passed  the  heroic  commander  of  the  corps,  on  the  double- 
quick,  his  eye  lighted  as  he  saw  these  veterans  led  by  a soldier 
whom  ho  know  ho  could  trust. 

General  IlartsufT  took  his  troops  steadily,  but  not  hurriedly,  up 
to  the  brow  of  the  bill  beyond  which  the  open  field  descends  to  the 
background  of  woods.  Deploying  them  upon  the  crest,  they  fired 
at  first  in  volleys,  then  at  will,  with  wonderful  rapidity  and  effect. 
The  whole  line  crowned  the  hill  and  stood  out  darkly  against  the 
sky,  but  shrouded  ever  in  flame  and  smoke.  For  half  an  hour  they 
held  the  ridge,  unyielding  in  purpose,  exhaustless  in  courage. 
There  were  gaps  in  the  line,  but  it  nowhere  quailed.  Their  gene- 
ral was  badly  wounded  early  in  the  fight ; but  still  they  fought  on. 
They  were  there  to  win  the  field,  and  they  won  it.  Unsupported, 
they  pressed  the  enemy  back  across  the  open  space,  and  a second 
time  drove  him  to  the  shelter  of  the  timber. 

The  crisis  of  Hooker's  battle  had  now  arrived.  The  left,  vainly 
endeavoring  to  advance,  and  exh.austed  by  the  effort,  had  fallen 
back.  Part  of  General  Mansfield’s  corps  which  bad  just  come  up 
was  ordered  to  its  relief;  but  their  heroic  commander,  while  leading 
them  on,  fell  mortally  wounded,  and  his  men  retired  to  their  sup- 
ports in  the  rear.  But  the  left,  although  unable  to  make  headway, 
was  too  strong  to  be  broken;  and  its  commander.  General  Ricketts, 
sent  word  that  he  could  hold  his  ground.  The  right,  under  Gene- 
ral Doubleday,  was  doing  excellent  service  with  its  artillery,  which, 
posted  on  the  hill  before  mentioned,  commanded  the  woods  in  front, 
and  held  the  rebel  hordes  that  were  gathered  therein  in  constant 
dismay.  With  the  two  wings  of  his  corps  thus  firmly  maintaining 
their  ground,  with  the  center  a second  time  victorious,  and  Avith 
two  additional  brigades  of  Mansfield’s  corps  coming  up,  fresh  and 
eager  for  the  fight,  General  Hooker  determined  once  more  to  push 
forward.  Accordingly  the  whole  line  Avas  moved  up,  the  General 
riding  in  front. 

To  the  right  and  in  the  rear  of  the  cornfield  which  spread  before 
it  in  the  distance,  was  a point  of  woods  that  evidently  was  the  key 
of  the  position.  While  recouuoitering  for  the  best  place  for  a bat- 


158 


Antietam  Creek — Sharpsburg,  Md. 


tory  to  direct  against  it,  General  Hooker  was  severely  wounded  in 
tlie  foot.  But  though  suffering  acute  pain,  he  kept  his  saddle  till 
he  had  finished  his  purpose  and  given  his  orders  for  the  two  ap- 
proaching brigades — Crawford’s  and  Gdi-don’s — to  take  the  rebel 
stronghold.  “Tell  them,”  he  said,  “ to  capture  those  woods,  and 
hold  them — and  it  is  our  fight.” 

It  was  now  nine  o’clock,  and  the  battle  had  raged  furiously  since 
five.  General  Sumner  came  upon  the  field  just  as  Hooker  was 
leaving.  Riding  far  in  advance  of  his  leading  brigade,  with  his 
hat  in  hand — his  gray  hair  and  bear’d  strangely  contrasted  with 
the  youthful  fire  in  his  eye  and  his  erect  military  bearing. 

Sedgwick’s  division  of  his  corps  was  in  advance,  and  was  at 
once  sent  to  the  support  of  Crawford  and  Gordon,  who  had  taken 
the  woods,  and  were  holding  them  against  fearful  odds.  Rebel 
reinforcements  were  at  the  same  time  approaching;  and  as  Sedg- 
wick moved  in  line  across  the  cornfield,  with  a wide  interval  be- 
tween him  and  the  nearest  Union  division,  he  saw  there  was  imme- 
diate danger  of  being  flanked.  To  extend  his  front  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, and  thus  partially  to  close  up  the  gap,  he  ordered  the  Thirty- 
fourth  New  York  to  move  by  the  left  flank.  But  this  dangerous 
maneuver,  attempted  under  a fire  of  the  greatest  intensity,  was 
too  severe  for  endurance,  and  the  regiment  broke.  The  enemy 
perceiving  their  advantage  poured  down  upon  the  whole  line,  and 
swept  around  the  left  flank.  Crawford’s  division  was  driven  back 
on  the  right,  and  scattered  in  confusion  through  the  ranks  of 
Sedgwick’s  advance,  which  partook  of  the  disorder,  and  retreated 
on  the  second  and  third  lines.  The  enemy  still  swept  on,  their 
volleying  fire  increasing  in  intensity  till  it  seemed  almost  a solid 
flame,  thick  with  volcanic  missiles.  General  Sedgwick  was  thrice 
wounded,  and  most  of  his  staff  disabled  or  killed  ; General  Dana, 
commanding  one  of  his  brigades,  also  was  wounded.  The  carnage 
was  awful.  Tlie  Thirty-fourth  Now  York  was  nearly  annihilated,  and 
the  Fifteentli  Massachusotts  was  reduced  to  less  than  one  fourth. 
General  Howard,  who  succeeded  General  Sedgwick  in  cominaiid, 
vaiidy  endeavored  to  restore  order,  and  even  the  personal  efforts  of 
General  Sumner  were  equally  fruitless.  The  division,  therefore,  was 
withdrawn  to  the  rear ; and  the  cornfield  once  more  abandoned 
to  the  enemy. 

In  the  mean  time,  French’s  and  Richardson’s  divisions  of  Sumner’s 
corps,  which  had  been  sent  to  the  extreme  left  to  reinforce  Rick- 
ett’s,  had  met  with  terrible  losses.  French  sent  word,  however,  that 


Antietam  Creek — Sharpsburg,  Md.  i6l 

he  could  hold  his  ground ; — Richardson  had  been  disabled  by  a 
severe  wound  in  the  shoulder.  General  Meagher  was  also  wounded 
at  the  head  of  his  brigade.  The  loss  in  officers  of  high  rank  was 
becoming  frightful. 

Thus,  at  one  o’clock,  affairs  in  this  grand  division  of  the  TJniou 
army  wore  a gloomy  aspect.  All  that  had  been  gained  in  front 
had  been  lost;  and  Sumner’s  headquarters  were  now  in  the  narrow 
field  where,  the  night  before.  Hooker  liad  begun  the  fight.  At  this 
crisis  Franklin’s  corps  came  up,  and  his  fresh  troops  were  formed 
on  the  left.  Both  divisions  of  the  corps  were  immediately  ordered 
forward ; and  Slocum’s  moved  upon  the  enemy’s  flank ; while 
Smith’s  charged  directly  upon  the  front,  swept  like  an  avalanche 
through  the  cornfield,  fell  upon  the  woods,  and  cleared  them  in 
ten  minutes.  They  were  not  again  retaken. 

The  field  and  its  ghastly  harvest  which  the  grim  reaper  had 
gathered  in  those  fatal  hours  remained  finally  with  the  Union  arms. 
Four  times  it  had  been  lost  and  won.  The  dead  -were  strewn  so 
thickly  that  a careful  rider  could  scarcely  guide  the  steps  of  his 
horse  between  them.  Pale  and  bloody  faces  were  everywhere  up- 
turned, and  the  imploring  looks  of  sorely  wounded  men  beckoned 
sadly  for  help  where  few  could  alFord  relief.  The  long  strife,  the 
heavy  losses,  the  incessant  fighting  over  the  same  ground,  repeatedly 
lost  and  won,  had  nearly  exhausted  the  strength  of  both  combat- 
ants; and  although  the  advantage  remained  with  the  Unionists,  they 
could  hardly  venture  beyond  their  present  position.  A vigorous 
attack  would  have  again  swept  them  back ; but  General  Lee  dared 
not  reinforce  his  left ; since  Burnside  was  now  thundering  on  his 
right  and  the  artillery  that  lay  in  front  of  Porter  and  Sykes,  ranged 
like  a long  prostrate  colonnade,  hurled  massive  ruin  upon  his  center. 
From  about  two  o’clock,  therefore,  till  between  four  and  five,  there 
was  a lull  in  the  tempest  of  battle  upon  this  wing. 

At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning.  General  Burnside  had  moved 
portions  of  his  corps  to  the  vicinity  of  a stone  bridge  and  neigh- 
boring ford,  a little  below  tbe  enemy’s  right.  Here,  until  ten 
o’clock,  he  had  awaited  an  order  for  attack  from  the  commander-in-  ’ 
chief.  Immediately  on  receiving  the  order  he  dispatched  a brigade 
to  take  the  bridge,  which  was  exposed  to  the  concentric  fire  of 
several  of  the  enemy’s  batteries  posted  on  the  hills  that  rose  like 
an  amphitheater  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek.  Two  divi- 
sions were  ordered  to  its  support,  and  a third  and  part  of  a fourth 
were  directed  to  cross  the  ford  below. 


162 


Antietam  Creelc — Sharpshurg,  Md. 


Tho  brigade  detailed  for  attack  oa  the  bridge  failed  in  the  effort 
and  fell  back  leaving  a gory  pathway  all  along  the  line  of  its  ad- 
vance and  retreat.  A second  brigade  was  sent  forward,  and  after 
two  gallant  assaults,  was  likewise  driven  back,  stumbling  in  disorder 
over  the  heaps  of  the  fallen.  The  creek  now  ran  with  the  blood  of 
tho  slain.  Still  a third  brigade  was  brought  up,  and  with  a fury 
stimulated  by  the  sight  of  the  terrible  destruction  that  had  befallen 
its  comrades,  dashed  down  upon  tho  foe  with  the  shock  of  a thun- 
derbolt. Tho  rebels,  transfixed  before  it,  were  utterly  unable  to  stay 
its  progress;  and  tho  brigade  swept  across  the  bridge,  and  deploy- 
ing beyond,  made  way  for  the  troops  that  were  instantly  sent  to  its 
support.  The  bridge  was  carried  about  half-past  one  o’clock,  but  it 
was  nearly  four  before  the  whole  corps,  of  about  16,000,  had  crossed 
and  taken  position  on  the  heights  and  knolls  toward  the  enemy. 

Burnside  was  now  ordered  to  advance  up  the  high  ground  toward 
the  town  of  Sbarpsburg,  and  to  carry  the  batteries  in  his  front,  at 
all  hazard  and  at  any  cost,  ilost  gallantly  did  he  obey  the  com- 
mand. Sending  a portion  of  his  artillery  to  the  van,  ho  moved  it 
rapidly,  and  with  tho  most  determined  vigor,  straight  up  the  hill 
from  the  top  of  which  the  rebels  had  maintained  their  fiercest  can- 
nonade. The  movement  was  in  plain  view  from  McClellan’s  posi- 
tion; and  as  Franklin  on  tho  opposite  wing  of  the  army  sent  his 
batteries  into  the  field  about  the  .same  time,  tho  battle  seemed  to 
open  in  all  directions  with  gre.atcr  activity  than  ever.  A furious 
combat  was  in  i)rogress  in  a ravine  adjoining  Burnside’s  position ; 
and  the  batteries  in  front  of  Porter  and  Sykes  were  firing  with 
increased  vigor.  Every  hilltop,  ridge,  and  woods,  therefore,  along 
the  whole  line  was  crested  and  vailed  with  white  clouds  of  smoke. 
The  day  had  been  clear  and  bright  since  the  early  clouds  of  morn- 
ing were  dissipated,  and  now  this  whole  magnificent,  unequaled 
scene  shone  with  tho  sjdendor  of  an  afternoon  September  sun. 
Four  miles  of  battle,  its  glory  all  visible,  its  horrors  all  vailed,  tho 
fate  of  the  Republic  hanging  on  the  hour— could  any  one  be  insen- 
sible of  its  grandeur  ? 

' At  the  left  of  the  road  up  which  Burnside’s  artillery  is  advancing 
are  two  hills  on  which  rebel  batteries  are  posted.  His  guns  open 
on  the  latter  from  the  commanding  position  just  gained,  and  they 
are  swept  away  like  chaff  before  the  whirlwind.  The  infantry  now 
advance  up  tho  slope,  moving  in  long  dark  lines  and  broad  impen- 
etrable masses,  plainly  visible  at  a distance,  as  they  hold  their  way 
over  the  green  hillside.  The  next  moment  tho  road  before  them. 


Antietam  Creek — Shar2)sburg,  Md.  ^03 

in  wbicii  a rebel  battery  was  planted,  was  canopied  with  clouds  of 
dust  swiftly  descending  into  the  valley.  Beneath  this  canopy  was 
a tumult  of  wagons,  horses,  and  men  flying  at  full  speed  down  the 
road.  Blue  flashes  of  smoko  now  burst  among  them,  a horse  or 
man  or  half  a dozen  horses  and  men  went  down,  and  then  the 
whirlwind  swept  on. 

The  hill  was  carried;  but  could  it  bo  hold?  The  rebel  columns 
wdiich  had  been  seen  moving  to  the  left,  increased  their  pace.  The 
artillery  on  the  hill  above  sent  an  angry  tempest  of  shell  down 
among  Burnside’s  guns  and  men.  lie  had  formed  his  columns 
, apparently  in  the  near  angles  of  two  fields  bordering  the  road, 
with  high  ground  about  them  everywhere  except  in  the  rear. 

In  another  moment  a rebel  battle-line  appears  on  the  brow  of 
tbe  ridge  above,  moves  swiftly  down  in  perfect  order,  and  though 
met  by  incessant  discharges  of  musketry,  reserves  its  fire  for  the 
moment  of  close  combat.  White  spaces  show  where  the  enemy 
are  falling,  but  they  close  up  instantly,  and  still  the  line  advances. 
The  brigades  of  Burnside  are  in  heavy  column ; they  wdll  not  give 
way  before  a bayonet  charge  in  line.  The  rebels  think  twice  before 
they  dash  into  those  hostile  masses. 

There  is  a halt — the  rebel  loft  sways  back,  breaks,  and  scatters 
wildly  over  the  field;  the  right  and  center  stand  firm  and  fire  with 
wonderful  rapidity.  More  of  the  enemy’s  infantry  comes  up, 
Burnside  is  out-numbered,  flanked,  compelled  to  yield  the  hill  he 
took  so  bravely ; his  position  is  no  longer  one  of  attack,  but  ho 
defends  himself  with  unfaltering  firmness,  while  ho  scuds  to  Mc- 
Clellan for  help. 

McClellan’s  glass  for  the  last  half  hour  has  seldom  been  turned 
away  from  the  left.  He  sees  clearly  enough  that  Burnside  is  sorely 
pressed.  His  face  grows  dark  with  anxious  thought.  Looking 
down  into  the  valley  where  15,000  troops  are  lying,  ho  turns  a 
half-questioning  look  on  Fitz-John  Porter,  who  stands  by  his  side, 
gravely  scanning  the  field.  They  are  Porter’s  troops  below — fresh, 
and  only  impatient  to  share  in  the  fight.  But  Porter  slowly  shakes  his 
liead  ; and  one  may  believe  that  the  same  thought  is  passing  through 
the  minds  of  both  generals.  “They  are  the  only  reserves  of  the 
army — they  can  not  be  spared.” 

McClellan  remounts  his  horse,  and  with  Porter  and  a dozen 
officers  of  his  staff  rides  away  to  the  left,  in  Burnside’s  direction. 
They  meet  Sykes;  the  three  generals  talk  together.  It  is  evident 
that  the  moment  has  come  when  everything  may  turn  on  a single 

8 


164 


Antietam  CreeJc — Sharpsburg,  Md. 


order.  Buruside’s  messenger  rides  up.  The  word  lie  brings  is,  “ I 
want  troo[)s  and  guns.  If  you  do  not  send  them,  I can  not  hold 
my  position  for  half  an  hour.”  J[c01ellan’s  only  answer  for  the 
moment  is  a glance  at  the  western  sky  ; then  he  turns  and  speaks 
very  slowly:  “ Tell  General  Burnside  that  this  is  the  battle  of  the 
war.  lie  must  hold  his  ground  till  dark  at  any  cost.  I will  send 
him  Miller’s  battery.  I can  do  nothing  more.  I have  no  infantry.” 
Then  as  the  messenger  was  riding  away  he  calls  him  back.  “Tell 
him,  if  he  can  not  hold  his  ground,  then  the  bridge,  to  the  last  man  1 
always  the  bridge ! If  the  bridge  is  lost,  all  is  lost.” 

The  golden  sun  has  already  sunk  behind  the  hills,  but  its  pen-i 
ciled  beams  still  dance  along  the  crest,  and  are  reflected  in  mellow 
light  from  the  western  sky.  The  somber  shades  of  evening  are 
creeping  on — not  half  an  hour  of  daylight  is  left.  Yet  till  Burn- 
side’s message  came,  the  closing  strife  seemed  still  afar  off;  the 
fury  of  the  battle  was  scarce  half-spent;  it  must  be  prolonged 
into  the  morrow.  No  one  suspected  how  near  was  the  peril  of 
crushing  defeat  from  sudden  attack  on  exhausted  forces,  how  vital 
to  the  safety  of  the  army  and  the  nation  were  those  15,000  waiting 
troops  of  Fitz-John  Porter. 

Yet,  strangely  inexplicable  conduct  1 at  the  very  moment  when 
hope  seemed  to  beckon  the  rebels  on,  when  the  thunders  of  their 
artillery  had  begun  to  carry  terror  to  the  hearts  of  the  valiant 
corps  that  withstood  them  on  their  right,  they  paused.  While  the 
twilight  still  lingered,  their  musketry -firing  ceased,  their  vindictive 
cannonade  died  away  in  distant  echoes. 

The  battle  was  done.  Night  spread  its  pall  over  the  bloody 
scene.  Only  a solitary  gun  of  Burnside’s  still  thundered  against 
the  enemy’s  position...  Presently  this  also  ceased,  and  the  solemn 
field  was  hushed  to  rest.  But  the  distant  horizon  was  lighted  with 
the  glare  of  burning  buildings  set  on  fire  by  bursting  shells ; the 
shrieks  and  moans  of  the  wounded  and  dying  were  borne  on  the 
evening  breeze;  and  the  flickering  lights  of  the  grave-diggers, 
already  at  their  horrid  work,  told  with  painful  distinctness  of  the 
appalling  destruction  that  had  reigned  supremo.  The  battle  of 
Antietam  was  the  most  sanguinary  since  Waterloo — 5,500  slain 
and  nearly  26,000  wounded  were  its  heart-rending  record.  Yet  it 
was  a victory  for  neither  side.  The  advantage  was  with  the 
Unionists,  who  held  the  field  during  the  night  and  the  following 
day ; but  the  battle  was  uurenewed,  and  the  enemy  made  good  his 
escape. 


AVILLIAM  STARKE  ROSECR,ANS, 


^fujof-Gcii.  A'^ols.  1111(1  llri^'.-Gcn.  U.  S.  A.,  born  in  lvinf>'slon 'I'ownsliip,  Del-  ( 
iiwiirc  Go.,  Ohio,  Doc.  (i,  181!) ; (^fiatlnnlcd  iil,  Wcsl  Point,  in  1812,  fitli  in  lii.s 
clns.s  ; Urcvet  2(1-Id(iut.  Engineers,  .Inly  1 , 18d2  ; I'nll  2(1-Licnt.,  Ajnil  3,  I8l.'l ; i 

i Ass’t  Png.  at  Fortivs.s  l\Ionro(‘,  1 H-12-3  ; Act.  A.'i.s’l  Piol'.  Png.,  and  N^at.  and  i 

|)  P.\j)C!riincnt.al  Pliilosopliy,  Wc.st  I’oint,  Sept.  18,  1813  to  .I  nly  I,  18  Hi,  and  ( 

Assi.stant  Prof.  iMigincers,  181()  -7  ; Pngincer  on  Port  at  Newjiort,  18.|7-.')2  ; ' 

I surveyed  New  Ilodford  and  Prov.  1 farbora,  and  'ramiton  River,  18.o2-3  ; 1st-  i 

|)  T.ient.  Pngineere,  Marcli,  ] 853  ; Gonst.  Png.,  Navy  Yard,  1853-4  ; resigned,  ! 

')  1854;  Private  and  Givil  I'lngineer,  Gincinnati ; chosen  by  Gen.  McGlellan  . 

■i  Aid  and  Gh.  I'aig.,  April,  1851  ; Col.  23d  Ohio  Vols.,  .Time  10,  1801  ; Rrig.-  ( 

j Gen.  Vols.,  .lime  20,  dating  I'roin  May  10,  1801;  captured  Rich  Mt.,  .Inly  j 

( 11,  1801  ; coinniander  Army  of  IVest  Va.,  Jnly  24, 1 801 , and  of  Dep’t  oC  \P.  ; 

••  \ii.,  Nov.  0,  1801  ; defeated  I(''loyd  at  Ganley,  Nov.  20,  I8(il  ; Major-Gen.  ( 

) Vols.,  -March  21,  1802;  fought  battles  of  lid<a,  Miss.,  Sept,  li),  1802,  and  i 

i Corinth,  Oct.  3 and  4,  1802  ; connnand(T  Army  Cnnd)erland,  Oct.  30,  1802  ; ! 

\ fought  battle  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1802 -.Ian.  3,  1803;  June,  1803,  drove  J 

} Reliels  from  Tullahoma ; had  .several  skirmishes  with  them  ; captured  Chat-  ( 

j tanooga,  Sc[)t.  8;  fought  battle  of  Chickamanga,  S('pt.  1!)  and  20,1803;  ;■ 

; cut  oir  I'rom  .apart  of  his  army,  and  fell  back  to  Chattanooga  on  20th;  re-  i 

) lieved  of  command,  Oct.  1!);  appoiiiRd  to  command  Dei)artmcnt  of  .Mi.s-  (| 

\ sonri,  .Ian.  30,  1804,  and  continued  in  command  till  Dec.  (i,  1804.  lledi-  !r 

■|  rected,  but  did  not  actively  particijiate  in,  the  battles  for  the  expidsion  of  j, 

;•  Price  from  IMissonri,  in  Sept.  1804.  i 


luka,  J\ri^s. — Corhuh,  Miss, 


,169 


lUKA,  MISS, 

September  19,  18G2, 

Viiioni!^t%  under  General  7?o5cc;*an.^,  20,000.  Killed,,  lit;  woxinded,  593;  pris^ 
oneVs,  40. 

2}isunionist*i^  under  General  Price,  28,000.  Killed,  885;  wounded,  692  ; prison* 
ers,  561. 

Genehai,  Grant,  learning  that  tlio  rebel  General  Price  was 
inarching  northward  to  reinforce  General  Bragg  at  Munfordsvillo, 
resolved  to  intercept  him. 

A force  under  General  Ord  was  sent  by  railroad  to  luka,  then  held 
by  Price  who  had  driven  the  Union  forces  thence  a day  or  two  be- 
fore. General  Roseerans  was  sent  from  Rienzi  and  reached  luka  first. 
A division  of  his  command,  under  General  Hamilton,  numbering 
3,500  men,  attacked  a force  of  the  enemy  near  this  point,  numbering 
7,000  men.  This  took  place  on  Friday  afternoon,  three  miles  south 
of  luka.  The  battle  lasted  till  darkness  compelled  the  combatants  to 
suspend  hostilities.  The  rebels  were  assailed  from  three  sides,  and 
for  a time  the  capture  of  the  entire  command  seemed  inevitable. 
The  enemy,  however,  made  a desperate  charge,  and  succeeded  in 
cutting  his  way  out,  though  with  heavy  losses. 

At  dawn,  the  battle  was  renewed.  Cavalry,  infantry,  and  artil- 
lery were  mingled  in  dire  confusion,  and  the  carnage  was  dreadful. 
The  engagement  lasted  till  near  noon,  when  the  enemy’s  lino 
wavered,  and  finally  fell  back.  The  Union  forces  made  a splendid 
charge,  and  the  rebels  were  swept  like  chaff  before  the  storm. 

The  foe  evacuated  luka,  burning  and  destroying  as  they  moved. 
General  Roseerans  followed  in  hot  pursuit,  and  captured  many  pris- 
oners and  a large  army  train.  They  were  completely  routed  at  all 
points.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  very  heavy,  and 
would  have  been  still  greater  had  not  the  battle-field  been  heavily 
timbered.  The  entire  Union  loss  did  not  exceed  800. 


COEINTH,  MISS 

October  3 and  4,  1862. 

Unionists,  under  General  Roseerans,  20,000.  Killed,  815 ; wounded,  1,812 ; pris* 
oners  and  missing,  232. 

Disunionists  under  Generals  Van  Porn  and  Price,  88,000.  Killed, wound- 
eof,  5,692 ; prisoners,  2,263. 

The  enemy’s  plan  to  re-capture  Corinth  was  well  matured  and 
carefully  carried  out;  the  value  of  the  position  was  also  fully  com- 


Corinth^  Miss. 


no 

preliended.  Slioiild  the  re  taking  of  the  city  be  effected,  several 
other  Union  strongliolds  innst  foil  in  their  turn,  and  West  Tennes- 
see be  freed  from  Federal  iuvadei'S.  It  was  further  known  that  the 
Government  had  large  commissary  and  quartermasters’  stores  at 
this  point,  which  if  secured  would  8ui)ply  the  pressing  wants  of 
Price’s  destitute  men. 

To  accomplish  this  desirable  result,  the  rebel  army  had  been  con- 
centrating its  strength  for  several  weeks.  Van  Dorn  having  formed 
a junction  with  Price,  increased  the  force  of  the  latter  to  38,000, 
and  as  largo  numbers  of  the  Union  troops  had  been  withdrawn 
from«Corinth  to  strengthen  other  points,  the  rebel  army  was  be- 
lieved to  ho  sufficiently  powerful  to  insure  success. 

Early  on  Friday  morning,  October  3d,  heavy  cannonading  was 
heard  three  miles  northeast  of  the  city,  and  before  nine  the  engage- 
ment became  general,  and  a severe  battle  was  subsequently  fought. 
The  Unionists  under  General  Rosecrans  met  the  foe  with  heroic  valor 
and  obstinate  resistance;  hut,  as  regiment  after  regiment,  brigade 
after  brigade,  swept  upon  them  with  overwhelming  power,  they  re- 
coiled and  fell  slowly  back,  fighting  desperately.  Tlie  rebels  pushed 
forward  immediately,  and  lield  every  foot  of  their  vantage  ground. 
Having  outflanked  the  inferior  Union  force,  they  began  forming  in 
their  rear;  when  the  Federals,  to  liinder  this  movement,  were 
obliged  to  retire  still  further.  The  enemy  now  took  possession  of 
the  breast-works,  and  darkness  closed  upon  the  contest. 

All  was  quiet  during  the  night.  The  soldier  snatched  what  sleep 
he  could,  as  he  lay  upon  his  arms,  in  lino  of  battle.  At  four  o’clock, 
the  rebels,  flushed  with  their  success,  renewed  the  conflict.  On 
came  the  boom  of  cannon  and  the  crashing  of  shells;  the  Union 
batteries  replied  furiously,  and  for  an  hour  the  air  was  rent 
with  wild  reverberations.  Then  came  a portentous  quiet;  some 
new  movement  was  in  progress  with  the  enemy.  A body  of 
AVestern  sharp-shooters  was  ordered  forward  as  skirmishers  to  feel 
the  foe ; they  soon  encountered  them,  three  quarters  of  a mile  in 
advance  of  the  Union  line  of  battle,  approaching  in  heavy  columns 
n[)on  the  town.  A murderous  fire  was  opened  upon  the  rebel  line 
by  the  skirmishers,  who  slowly  retired,  continuing  their  fire  with 
telling  effect.  In  a few  moments  a general  conflict  began,  the  bat- 
teries, from  the  forts  and  other  positions,  rained  torrents  of  shot  and 
shell  upon  the  enemy;  and  when  the  column  came  pouring  down 
the  sti’eets,  the  artillery  from  the  public  square  mowed  down  their 
ranks  and  strewed  the  ground  with  dead  and  dying.  The  destruc- 


Corinth,  Miss.  171 

tion  was  appalling,  but  with  unparalleled  daring  and  recklessness 
of  danger,  they  rushed  impetuously  forward.  As  they  reached  the 
crest  of  the  hill  in  front  of  Fort  Richardson,  General  Davis’  divi- 
sion, which  had  won  laurels  on  the  previous  day  (and  had  been 
stationed  here  to  support  the  garrison  of  the  redoubt),  suddenly 
faltered  and  began  to  give  way  in  disorder.  General  Rosecran.s, 
whoso  eagle  eye  watched  every  movement,  dashed  to  the  front,  and 
by  remonstrance,  threats,  and  commands  r.allicd  the  division  and 
rc-formed  it  where  the  battle  raged  ino.st  fiercely.  The  rebel  general 
having  seen  his  advantage  rushed  forward,  confident  of  the  jirizc. 
Some  ground  had  been  lost  in  the  temporary  defection  of  Davis’ 
division,  and  Price’s  right  advancing,  captured  General  Rosecrans’ 
headquarters,  and  for  a brief  interval  held  po.ssession  of  it.  Mean- 
time his  center  and  left  were  hurled  upon  Fort  Richardson.  The 
commander  of  the  fort  opened  upon  them  with  his  battery,  and  its 
rapid  discharges  swept  the  assailants  from  the  front,  as  the  Novem- 
ber blast  scatters  the  leaves  of  autumn.  Relying  upon  their  strength, 
they  dashed  forward  again  and  again.  At  the  third  assault  they 
entered  the  works.  The  horses  were  some  distance  down  the  hill, 
nearer  Corinth,  and  a squad  of  rebels  rushed  down  to  seize  them. 
The  Fifty-sixth  Illinois,  which  liad  been  lying  in  ambush,  suddenly 
rose,  and  pouring  a volley  into  them  killed  one  half  their  number 
upon  the  spot.  The  Fifty-sixth  rushed  on,  charged  into  the  roar 
of  the  battery,  and  drove  out  the  enemy,  and  with  glad  shouts  of 
triumph  pursued,  them  down  the  declivity. 

Other  infantry  forces  were  brought  up  to  meet  the  foe,  at  different 
points,  who  then  for  the  first  time  gave  signs  of  wavering;  and  a.s 
the  flash  of  bayonets  gleamed  through  the  smoke  of  battle,  the 
whole  rebel  column  fell  back  in  one  confused  mass  over  the  paths 
they  bad  recently  trodden  so  confidently.  Utterly  demoralized 
and  routed,  they  fled  into  the  thickets.  The  Unionists  pursued 
forty  miles  in  force,  and  sixty  by  cavalry.  They  captured  fourteen 
stands  of  colors,  two  pieces  of  artillery,  3,330  stands  of  small-arrns, 
and  45,000  rounds  of  ammunition,  besides  accouterments  and 
wagons. 


172  Corinth,  Miss. 

COEINTH,  MISS. 

OoTouiiii  6,  1862. 

UnioniHtH,  under  Generals  Ord  and  Ilurlhurt.  Killed,  60 ; wounded,  493  ; miss- 
ing, IT. 

Kisunionists,  under  General  Van  Korn,  over  28,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  not 
reported  ; vrisoners,  500. 

While  the  enemy  were  in  full  retreat,  after  the  memorable  second 
day’s  battle  near  Corintli,  General  Rosecrans  sent  a dispatch  to 
General  Ilurlbiirt,  to  destroy  tlie  bridge  over  the  Ilatchie,  which 
was  in  tlie  lino  of  their  retreat,  and  oppose  their  crossing  with  a 
snilicient  force.  Well  satisfied  that  the  flying  rebels  could  not 
esoa[)o  him.  General  Rosecrans  rode  gallantly  through  his  lines, 
lieraldiiig  the  news  of  victory,  and  ordered  the  troops  to  replenish 
their  cartridge-boxes  and  haversacks,  retire  early,  and  at  daylight 
on  the  morrow  start  in  pursuit.  McPherson,  entering  Corinth  at 
this  time,  with  several  thousand  troops,  was  ordered  to  lead  the 
]un-suit. 

Tlio  retreating  army  crossed  the  Tuscumbia  River  bridge,  and 
attempted  to  cross  the  Ilatchie  River  at  the  bridge;  but  their  ad- 
vance met  at  that  point  General  Ilurlhurt  and  General  Ord.  The 
rebels  immediately  disputed  their  approach,  first  with  cavalry,  and 
then  with  the  addition  of  infantry  and  artillery.  The  road — nar- 
row and  winding  through  miry  swamps  and  jungles,  over  precip- 
itous ridges,  across  which  the  artillery  was  carried  by  hand — was 
one  of  the  most  dangerous  to  undertake  in  the  fage  of  the  enemy. 
The  rebel  infantry  availed  themselves  of  every  swamp  and  thicket, 
their  artillery  of  every  ridge;  from  all  which  the  Union  forces  suc- 
cessfully drove  them.  Foiled  in  tne  attempt  at  crossing  the  Ilatchie, 
they  made  a wide  detour,  and  finally  succeeded  in  fording  the 
river  about  six  miles  higher  up  the  stream  ; from  which  point  they 
advanced  toward  Holly  Spring.s,  constantly  harassed  by  McPher- 
son, losing  many  prisoners  and  suifering  almost  complete  disor- 
ganization. 

The  rebels  lost  lieavily  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners ; the 
Union  loss  was  fifty  killed,  four  hundred  and  ninety-three  wounded, 
and  seventeen  missing. 


173 


Perry ville,  Ey. 

PEREYVILLE,  EY. 

October  8,  1362. 

Vnionif>l%  under  General  McCook^  13,000.  Killed^  820;  i/?ozzncfccf, -2,585 ; pri6* 
onern^  650. 

Dviunionif^U^  under  General  Bragg^  83,000.  Killed^  1,300  ; wounded^  3,000 ; pris^ 
onerSy  200. 

OcTOKEU  1st,  General  Buell  left  Louisville  witli  an  army  of 
70,000  men,  intending  to  pursue  and  destroy  General  Bragg’s  army. 
Tlie  enemy’s  force  in  Kentucky  at  this  time  did  not  exceed  33,000. 
General  Bragg  learning  at  what  time  the  Union  troops  were  to  leave 
Louisville,  sent  forward  his  train  fully  twenty-four  hours  in  advance, 
and  ordered  the  main  body  of  Lis  command  to  follow  rapidly, 
while  the  rear  guard,  by  marchings  and  counter-marchings,  were  to 
mislead  their  antagonists  in  respect  to  numbers.  The  ruse  was  suc- 
cessful; General  Buell  wasted  much  time  in  skirmishing  witli  the 
rear-guard,  and  so  delayed  his  progress  that  four  days  were  con- 
sumed in  reaching  Bardstown,  a distance  of  only  forty  miles.  From 
this  point  the  three  army  corps  took  different  routes — all,  however, 
concentrating  at  Perry  ville,  at  which  point  a battle  was  anticipated. 

The  left  wing  of  the  Union  army,  General  McCook’s  column, 
was  ordered  to  proceed  by  a road  which  runs  north  of  Perry  ville ; 
the  center,  Geneial  Gilbert’s  column,  took  the  direct  road  to  the 
point  of  destination ; while  the  right,  under  General  Crittenden, 
made  a considerable  detour  to  the  south,  and  in  consequence  of 
turning  aside  to  obtain  water,  did  not  arrive  till  about  twenty-four 
hours  after  the  others.  This  delay  was  known  to  General  Bragg, 
as  well  as  the  route  taken  by  the  other  two ; and  he  decided  to 
attack  McCook’s  corps,  the  weakest  of  the  three,  intending  to  so 
cripple  it  as  to  hinder  pursuit,  while  he  moved  to  the  eastward 
and  effected  a junction  with  Kirby  Smith. 

ilcCqok  was  accordingly  assailed  three  miles  from  Perry villh; 
but  the  engagement  was  only  a skirmish.  Then  followed  a sharp 
artillery  duel  between  three  rebel  and  two  Union  batteries.  But 
as  none  of  the  enemy’s  infantry  were  in  sight,  and  the  suj)ply  of 
ammunition  was  short,  the  batteries  were  ordered  to  cease  firing, 
and  the  rebels  also  soon  ceased.  General  McCook,  by  command 
of  General  Buell,  made  a reconnoissance  to  Chaplain  River;  and  as 
his  men  were  in  pressing  need  of  water,  he  directed  the  tenth  divi- 
sion, under  General  Jackson,  to  move  to  the  high  ground  near  the 
river.  Rousseau’s  division  was  stationed  in  a position  to  support  the 
latter.  The  right  of  the  corps  extended  near  the  left  of  General 


Gilbert’s  column,  and  was  believed  to  bo  well  protected.  TIio 
enemy  renewed  the  attack  by  a fierce  assault  on  'l’errer.s  brigade 
of  Juckson’.s  division,  'i'ho  latter  general,  seeing  bis  men  waver, 
dashed  boldly  to  the  front,  and  waving  his  sword  aloft,  cheered 
them  on  to  battle.  At  the  moment  be  was  so  gallantly  displaying 
bis  courage,  a fragment  of  a shell  struck  him,  and  be  fell  bleeding 
and  dying.  With  the  fall  of  Jackson  the  troops  gave  way.  General 
Terrel  attemi)t.ed  to  rally  them,  and  a moment  later  fell  mortally 
wounded.  The  line  now  broke  and  the  men  fled  in  disorder. 

Starkweather’s  brigade  was  next  brought  into  position,  and  the 
foe  charging  furiously  upon  it,  was  quickly  repelled  with  heavy  loss. 
They  now  came  up  in  overwhelming  numbers,  the  First  Tennessee 
Regiment  (formerly  under  Colonel  George  klaury,  now  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  brigade  making  the  charge)  having  the  lead. 
Two  Union  regiments,  with  the  batteries,  alone  repulsed  the  whole 
brigade  of  Maury.  The  First  Tennessee  colors  were  captured,  and 
Brigadier-General  Maury  was  killed.  Meanwhile  the  battle  raged 
fiercely  on  the  right,  where  Colonel  Lytle’s  brigade  was  posted ; 
three  several  times  did  the  rebels  advance  in  overpowering  force, 
and  were  as  many  times  repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter.  The 
stock  of  ammunition  now  becoming  exhausted.  General  Lytle 
ordered  the  batteries  to  the  rear,  and  the  whole  line  began  to  recede 
in  good  order.  The  enemy  descrying  this  movement  cheered  exult- 
antly and  pushed  rapidly  up  the  acclivity.  Rousseau  finding  the 
lieat  of  the  contest  transferred  to  the  right,  pressed  in  that  direction 
with  his  stafi'.  Captain  Loomis  (whose  battery  had  been  stationed 
on  the  bill  after  its  withdrawal  from  the  first  position),  seeing  the 
immense  rebel  column  advancing,  brought  bis  guns  to  bear  upon  it 
and  opened  the  battery  with  fearful  destructiveness.  General  Rous- 
seau in  the  mean  time  began  collecting  stragglers  in  the  woods  on 
the  right  and  left,  for  supports  to  the  artillery,  and  driven  by  the 
sword  they  fell  in  on  the  right  of  the  battery  and  discharged  rifle 
and  musket  upon  the  assailants.  ( The  rebels  quailed  before  the 
deadly  fire  and  fled  in  dismay.  The  conflict  was  over-  In  half  an 
hour  the  picket  fires  of  the  enemy  were  distinctly  seen,  five  hun- 
dred yards  distant;  and  the  Union  men,  overpowered  with  fatigue, 
lay  down  on  their  arms,  holding  the  line  originally  chosen  by  Gen- 
eral Rousseau,  but  a quarter  of  a mile  in  front  of  which  he  had  been 
compelled  to  fight. 


{ L;il(!  Jen.  born  in  (Tiiinn  (Jo.,  Ky.,  ^ViignsL  28,1810;  dic'd  iit 

; llciiiirorl,  H.  (J.,  Oct.  30,  18(i2;  giiidiiat(.'d  at  West  Foiiit  in  1820,  fiflecntli 
in  a class  of  lO  ; Ass't  Prof,  of  Matlioinalic.s,  1829-31  ; stndicHl  law,  and  ad- 
■:  inittcd  to  Ihe  bar  in  Cincinnati,  in  1832  ; oloctod  Prof,  of  ^ratlicinatics,  Plii- 

{ losojiliy  and  Astronomy  in  Cincinnati  Collc'gc,  1834;  in  1845,  established  an 
■;  Observ'atory  at  Cincinnati ; was  Constructing  Engineer  on  Ohio  & Miss,  and 
■:  other  railroads;  in  1859,  was  clioscn  Director  of  Dudley  Observatory,  at 

i Albany,  retaining  still  his  connection  with  that  at  Cincinnati ; was  a popular 
\ lecturer  and  author  on  scientilic  subjocds,  and  inventor  of  valuable  astronoini- 
' cal  apparatus.  At  the  opening  of  the  war.  Prof.  Mitchcl  sought  a place  in 

i the  army,  was  appointed  Brig.-Cen.  Vols.,  Aug.,  1801,  and  assigned  to  Dep’t 

; of  the  Ohio  ; after  capture  of  Na.shville,  he  made  a forced  march  southward, 
' seized  several  points  of  the  railway  between  Corinth  and  Chattanooga — 

•;  among  others,  Huntsville,  Athens,  Ac.;  made  Major-Gen.  Vols.,  April  11, 

; 18()2  ; relieved  of  command  July,  18G2,  and.  Sept.  17,  appointed  commander 


■|  Department  of  the  South.  AVhile  preparing  for  a vigorous  campaign,  he 
was  seized  with  yellow  fever,  and  died  in  a few  days  at  Beaufort. 


Pocotaligo,  S.  G. 


177 


POCOTALIGO,  S.  C. 

October  22,  1S62. 

Unioni^t.%  wider  General  Brannan^  4,448.  Killed^  43  ; icounded^  258 ; missing^  5, 
Bisunionists^  under  General  Beauregardy  5,000.  Losses  not  reported. 

General  MixcnEi.,  feeling  the  imperative  necessity  of  liarassing 
tlie  enemy  as  constantly  as  possible,  dispatched  small  forces  to  vari- 
ous points  on  the  coast  to  gain  possession  of  places  ifeebly  garri- 
soned by  the  rebels,  or  points  where  they  had  salt  works,  etc. 
Several  of  these  expeditions  having  been  crowned  with  success,  he 
conceived  the  plan  of  fitting  out  a largo  expedition,  to  advance  into 
the  interior,  to  break  the  railroad  line,  and  destroy  the  bridges  be- 
tween Charleston  and  Savannah,  and  thus  cut  off  communication 
between  the  two  cities.  The  troops  having  been  selected,  he  as- 
signed the  command  to  General  Brannan,  who  started  from  Hilton 
Head  the  21st  of  October,  with  a force  of  4,448  men,  and  arrived 
the  next  morning  at  the  point  where  Pocotaligo  Creek  enters  Broad 
River.  Here  he  divided  his  command,  sending  a detachment  of 
400  men,  under  Colonel  Barton,  up  the  river  to  Coosahatchie  to 
destroy  the  railroad  and  bridges  in  that  locality,  and  with  the 
remainder  proceeded  toward  Pocotaligo. 

The  plan,  it  was  supposed,  had  been  carefully  concealed  till  the 
time  of  departure,  but  General  Brannan  found  to  his  astonishment 
that  the  rebels  were  fully  acquainted  with  his  intended  movement, 
and  had  arrayed  themselves  in  force  sufficiently  strong  to  defeat 
his  design.  He  pushed  forward,  however,  and  fought  his  way  ob- 
stinately to  the  Pocotaligo  bridge — a distance  of  ten  miles — only 
to  find  it  destroyed  and  the  crossing  guarded  by  a force  too  large 
to  be  successfully  attacked.  He  was  thus  compelled  to  return  and 
fight  his  way  back  to  his  boats  at  Mackay’s  Point. 

Colonel  Barton  was  more  successful,  having  destroyed  a portion 
of  the  railroad  jnd  a railroad  train,  though  ho  was  unable  to 
destroy  the  bridge.  His  force  was  obliged  to  retreat  in  haste,  but 
kept  up  a steady  fire  upon  their  pursuers  as  they  retired. 

The  loss  of  the  Unionists  in  this  undertaking  was  thirty-two 
killed,  one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded,  and  three  missing.  The 
rebel  loss,  though  considerable,  was  much  less  than  the  Union.  But 
the  expedition  washy  no  means  disheartening  in  its  results;  and 
the  zeal  and  courage  of  the  baffled  troops  were  still  unabated. 


178  Prairie,  Grove,  Ark. — Ph'ederickshurg,  Fa. 

PRAIRIE  GROVE,  ARK. 

Decemheii  7,  1662. 

UnioniaU,  undtr  Genei'oh  Blunt  and  Herron^  12,000.  Killed^  *105 ; icoujidedy  600 ; 
priaonevsy  not  reported. 

Diaunionieta,,  under  General  Uindman.,  28,000.  Killed  and  xcounded^  1,500. 

Genekal  IIekeon’s  forces,  en  route  to  co-operate  witli  General 
Blunt,  met  tlio  enemy  at  Crawford’s  Prairie,  ten  miles  south  of 
Fayetteville,  Ark.,  and  won  a decisive  victory.  The  rebels  were 
28,000  strong,  commanded  by  General  Hindman,  and  comprised 
the  flower  of  the  rebel  trans-Mississippi  army  ; they  were  also  well 
supplied  with  artillery — liaving  eighteen  jjieces.  Having  flanked 
General  Blunt’s  position  at  Cane  Hill,  they  suddenly  assailed  Gen- 
eral Herron,  to  prevent  his  effecting  a junction  with  the  former 
general.  Herron's  forces  embraced  7,000  men  with  twenty-four 
pieces  of  artillery.  The  contest  raged  from  ten  a.m.  till  dark,  and 
Avas  fought  desperately  throughout.  The  Union  artillery  drove  the 
foe  from  two  strong  positions,  and  kept  their  overwhelming  num- 
bers at  bay. 

About  four  o’clock.  General  Blunt  arrived  tvith  5,000  men  and 
a strong  artillery  force  ; he  immediately  attacked  the  enemy  in  the 
rear ; they  made  fi'antic  efforts  to  capture  his  batteries,  but  tvero 
repulsed  with  great  disaster  to  their  force.  The  Unionists  held  the 
field  at  dark,  and  befor-e  nine  o’clock  the  entire  Confederate  army 
was  in  full  retreat. 


FREDERICKSBURG,  VA. 

Decembeb  11  AND  12,  18G2. 

Unionists,  under  General  Burnside,  •probably  not  less  than  100,000.  Killed  and 
wounded,  not  reported. 

BisunionisU,  under  General  Lee,  100,000.  Losses,  not  stated. 

Ddring  the  latter  days  of  autumn  and  the  opening  of  the  win- 
ter of  1802,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  tlrawn  up  on  the 
northern  side  of  the  Kappahannock,  with  the  enemy  confronting 
them  at  Fredericksburg  on  the  south.  Their  former  leader.  Gene- 
ral kfcClellan,  having  been  relieved  of  his  command,  they  tvero 
now  .acting  under  the  orders  of  (feneral  Burnside. 

For  days  the  attack  on  Fredericksburg  was  looked  for  with 
feverish  anxiety,  and  with  each  successive  evening  the  morrow 
Avas  prophesied  as  the  inaugural  of  a winter  campaign.  But  days 
lengthened  into  weeks,  and  still  the  monotony  of  camp-life  Avas 


179 


Fredericksburg,  Va. 


Tinhroken.  Meanwhile  all  along  the  ridges  of  the  opposite  shore, 
batteries  sprang  nightly  from  the  earth,  as  if  touched  by  the  magi' 
cian’s  wand,  and  the  rapidly  spreading  smoke  of  the  enemy  ’s  camp- 
fires wrapped  hill  and  valley  in  impenetrable  gloom.  Exciting 
rumors  of  hostile  movements  were  greedily  devoured,  and  state- 
ments as  false  as  they  were  absurd  spread  from  tent  to  tent  like 
wildfire. 

Throughout  the  week^revious  to  the  opening  of  the  grand  as- 
sault, everything  was  mninous  of  the  apju-oaching  crisis;  and  each 
evening  the  troops  retired  at  tattoo,  confident  that  their  reveille 
would  be  the  call  to  arms.  December  11th,  as  the  sun  was  sinking  to 
rest,  the  long- anticipated  movement  began.  'J'lio  heavy  rumbling 
of  artillery  was  heard  on  every  side ; batteries  hastened  to  the 
front,  and  the  ponderous  pontoon  trains  joined  the  onward  current, 
llown  by  the  river-side  all  was  hushed  in  peaceful  re])osc.  The 
pickets  sat  listlessly  around  their  glowing  fires,  watching  the  rebel 
sentries,  and  partaking  of  their  soldier’s  fare.  The  river  glided 
smoothly  on,  placid  as  the  jew'eled  sky  reflected  on  its  bosom. 

From  the  thresholds  of  the  city  the  sharp,  angry  yelp  of  curs 
ever  and  anon  broke  discordantly  upon  the  ear,  but  their  outcry 
ceased  when  the  batteries  ■wore  in  position,  and  silence  again 
brooded  over  the  city,  broken  only  at  intervals  by  the  bell’s  deep 
chiming  of  the  slowly  ]>assing  hour.s.  And  so  the  time  wore  on, 
the  moon  mounted  higher,  and  the  falling  dew  w'hitened  into  frost 
and  glistened  on  the  cold  ground,  while  the  horses  restive  in  the 
chill  night  air  moved  to  and  fro  in  their  harness. 

At  two  o’clock  the  pickets  were  withdrawn,  and  an  hour  later 
the  pontoon  train  moved  down  to  the  water.  Timber  wms  piled 
noiselessly  upon  the  ground,  and  the  huge  boats  slid  from  their 
trucks.  Then  a sudden  splash  in  the  river — a dark  pathway  spreads 
across  the  silver  surface,  shadows  flit  here  and  there  along  its  track, 
and  the  lusty  blows  of  hammers  resound  from  side  to  side.  And  yet 
no  report  comes  from  the  enemy.  Strange  conjectures  seize  upon 
the  mind;  when  suddenly  a leaden  volley  from  a hundred  muskets 
announces  the  combat  already  begun.  A wild  shriek  of  agony 
comes  up  the  bank  from  the  gallant  engineers,  mules  dash  off  with 
pontoons  thundering  after  them,  the  musketry  grow's  louder,  and  the 
whiz  of  bullets  more  frequent;  teamstci's  fly  i)anic-stricken,  and  the 
artillery  horses  plunge  at  the  caissons.  But  above  all  the  fearful  din, 
boom ! boom  ! the  great  guns  break  forth,  until  thirty  ])ioces  of  heavy 
artillery  are  hurling  their  deadly  missiles  u[)on  the  devoted  city. 


180 


Fi-edericksburg,  Va, 


The  lighter  Union  batteries  join  in  the  mighty  uproar,  and  musketry 
grows  faint  and  is  lost  in  their  thundering  reverberations. 

The  fire  gradually  slackens,  and  the  engineers  again  attempt  to 
complete  the  bridge,  but  in  vain ; a third  time  they  fall  back,  bear- 
ing in  their  arms,  their  dead,  wounded,  and  dying.  All  the  avail- 
able batteries  were  now  moved  into  position,  and  at  a given  signal 
they  simultaneously  begin  their  work  of  destruction.  Tlicir  roar 
was  indescribably  awful.  The  city  from  its  walls  of  brick  hurls 
back  a thousand  eclioes,  which  beat  up  against  the  bluff,  and  roll 
back  again,  convulsing  the  earth  as  though  the  heavens  were  rent 
asunder. 

Once  more  the  fire  ceases,  and  silence  deep  and  profound  succeeds 
the  fearful  din  of  battle.  The  mist  still  hangs  over  the  river,  the 
sun  mounts  up  red  and  fiery  like  the  god  of  war,  and  the  air  is  suf- 
focating with  the  odor  of  gunpowder.  Slowly  the  cloud  of  fog 
rolls  back,  the  sunbeams  gild  the  distant  spires,  and  the  doomed 
city  stands  forth  in  utter  desolation.  A huge  column  of  dense, 
black  smoko  towers  above  the  livid  flames  that  leap  and  hiss  with 
fiery  tongues  and  stretch  forth  their  giant  arms  from  roof  to  roof. 
The  guns  again  renew  their  roar : shot  and  shell  go  crashing 
through  the  solid  masonry  of  the  buildings ; other  buildings  are 
fired ; and  before  sundown  a score  of  houses  are  in  ashes,  while  not 
one  seems  to  have  escaped  the  pitiless  storm  of  iron.  As  night 
drew  on,  it  was  apparent  that  the  Union  artillery  could  not  perma- 
nently dislodge  the  enemy  with  their  facilities  for  sheltering  them- 
selves, and  the  bridges  could  not  be  built  unless  the  rebels  on  the 
opposite  bank  were  driven  from  their  rifle-pits  by  a bold  dash. 
Volunteers  were  called  for  to  cross  in  small  boats.  Two  companies 
of  a Michigan  regiment  gallantly  oficred  their  services.  They  soon 
moved  on,  while  the  enemy’s  artillery  rained  a perfect  storm  of 
deadly  misfiles  into  their  midst.  Unflinchingly  the  devyted  braves 
f)ressed  forward,  and  having  gained  the  shore,  with  fixed  bayonets 
they  rushed  upon  the  enemy,  killed  several,  and  captured  one 
hundred  prisoners. 

This  gallant  act  secured  the  Fredericksburg  shore  until  the  bridges 
could  be  comideted.  General  Burnside’s  troops  immediately  crossed 
the  river  and  took  possession  of  the  city,  and  the  rebels  were  soon 
driven  back  to  their  lino  of  works. 


Fredericksburg^  Fa.  181 

FEEDERICKSBUEG,  VA 

Dkoembeb  13  TO  15,  1362. 

UhionisU^  under  General  Burnaideyprobahly  not  less  than  100,000.  Killed^  1,123 ; 
woundedy  9,105 ; prisoncrSy  about  700. 

DisunionistSy  under  General  Lee^  100,000.  Numbers  placed  liore  de  combat  {ao 
cording  to  rebel  achnowledgment') — killed y\y^Q^\ wounded y 2,400;  number  of 
prisoners^  about  700, 

The  occupation  of  Fredericksburg  having  been  successful!  j accom- 
plished, the  next  move  was  to  drive  the  enemy  from  their  strong- 
holds in  the  rear  of  the  city. 

The  time  consumed,  however,  in  crossing  the  river,  owing  to  the 
hindrance  occasioned  by  the  fog  and  the  unavoidable  delay  in 
building  the  pontoon  bridges,  had  given  the  enemy  ample  time  to 
concentrate  his  forces.  The  rebel  lines  extended  in  the  form  of  a 
semicircle  from  PortEoyal  to  a|ioint  six  miles  beyond  Fredericks- 
burg, and  occupied  a strong  position,  well  guarded  by  a range  of 
hills. 

The  plan  of  attack  comprised  a simultaneous  advance  upon  the 
enemy’s  stronghold  in  front  of  the  left  and  right  grand  divisions, 
which  were  to  be  carried  by  sudden  assaults  with  select  bodies  of 
troops. 

The  disposition  of  the  Union  forces  occupied  the  entire  night 
after  their  entrance  into  the  city,  and  the  dawn  of  the  eventful 
day  found  them  ready  for  the  approaching  battle.  General  Sumner 
commanded  the  right,  confronting  the  rebel  loft  under  Generals  Leo 
and  Stuart ; General  Hooker  the  center,  facing  Longstreet’s  corps ; 
and  General  Franklin  the  left,  opposed  to  the  rebel  right  under 
Stonewall  Jackson. 

A dense  fog  covered  the  landscape  and  effectually  concealed  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  A balloon  was  sent  up  just  before  day- 
light, but  in  consequence  of  the  mists  could  make  no  useful  obser- 
vation. In  spite  of  these  disadvantages,  however.  General  Burn- 
side determined  to  proceed  with  his  operations. 

Franklin  moved  his  column  just  before  sunrise,  his  right  resting 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  his  center  advanced  a mile  or  so  from 
the  river,  and  his  left  extending  to  the  Rappahannock,  about  three 
miles  below.  Skirmishing  commenced  on  the  extreme  left,  a few 
moments  after  dawn.  A rebel  battery  opened  on  the  Union  troops, 
and  its  fire  became  so  annoying  that  the  Ninth  New  York  Militia 
were  ordered  to  capture  it  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  order 
was  obeyed  with  alacrity ; but,  after  a fierce  struggle,  the  assaulting 


182 


JEVedericJcsburg^  Fa. 


party  was  compelled  to  fall  back.  At  this  critical  moment  Gene- 
ral Tyler  advanced  to  its  supi)ort  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade;  the 
enemy  were  severely  pushed,  faltered  a moment,  and  then  fell  slowly 
back  ; while  bursts  of  fire  from  musketry  and  artillery  blazed  along 
the  line.  The  attempt,  however,  to  capture  the  rebel  batteries 
proved  fruitless.  The  fight  had  now  become  general  on  the  extreme 
left,  and  the  heroic  Unionists  pressed  forward  with  the  most  deter- 
mined valor.  But  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  so  withering  in  its 
effects,  that  they  were  unable  to  gain  any  important  advantage. 

By  noon  the  whole  of  Franklin’s  corps  was  engaged,  and  a des- 
perate etiort  was  made  to  turn  the  enemy’s  position  on  kfassaponax 
Creek,  and  to  drive  him  beyond  the  stream.  The  rebels  maintained 
possession  of  some  small  hills  with  much  stubbornness,  but  grad- 
ually fell  back  as  the  Union  troops  i)ressed  resolutely  upon  them. 
During  the  afternoon  the  rebels  came  to  a stand,  and  for  a time 
assumed  the  offensive,  but  Avere  rei)ulsed  with  heavy  loss.  Still 
they  contested  every  foot  of  the  ground,  and  it  was  oidy  by  the  most 
obstinate  fighting  they  could  be  comj)cllcd  to  yield  the  position.  It 
was  during  this  part  of  engagement  that  the  gallant  General  Bayard 
fell  mortally  wounded. 

In  the  morning  the  fighting  had  been  chiefly  with  artillery ; but 
at  noon,  as  tbe  fog  cleared  away  and  the  sunlight  shone  out,  the 
infantry  had  been  brought  into  play,  and  the  battle  had  assumed 
the  most  desperate  character.  It  raged  furiously  during  the 
entire  day,  and  at  sundown  Franklin  had  succeeded  in  driving 
the  enemy  nearly  a mile.  The  Union  troojjs  held  their  position 
during  the  night.  Thus  far  the  movement  on  their  left  had  proved 
a success. 

But  while  tbe  contest  had  been  waged  at  this  point  with  the 
most  heroic  determination,  a still  more  furious,  though  less  decisive, 
struggle  had  been  maintained  on  the  right.  The  action  in  that 
quarter,  under  the  direction  of  General  Sumner,  began  about  ten 
o’clock.  The  enemy  occupied  the  woods  and  the  hills  in  the  rear 
of  the  city ; and  were  protected  by  earth-works,  with  a deep  ditch 
in  front,  and  l>y  a heavy  stone  wall.  During  the  early  part  of  the 
day  it  Avas  found  impossible  to  bring  the  Union  artillery  to  bear 
against  them,  for  want  of  proper  positions  ; and  it  was  not  till  late 
in  the  afternoon  that  a single  battery,  employed  in  sections,  was 
directed  against  their  lines  from  high  points  in  the  streets  of  the 
town.  On  the  other  hand  the  rebels,  from  their  commanding  posi- 
tions, were  able  to  use  their  artillery  to  the  best  advantage ; and 


PkIN<'II>M.  ^'^;AT^TKKS 
of  1 lie 


W' /•  BmTLEofFREDERICKSBURGH 


_2.°__LL?  Dnmii  ,(■  rniimvcil  Hu  ILIU.I.OYD.M".'  N Y 


Fredericksburg,  Va.  185 

at  least  sixty  pieces  played  upon  tbo  right  tbrougli  the  greater  por- 
tion of  the  day. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  conflict,  it  became  evident  that  the 
first  range  of  hills,  on  -which  the  enemy  were  posted  behind  their 
earth-works,  could  not  he  carried  except  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Accordingly  General  Sumner  ordered  General  French’s  division  to 
charge  upon  the  batteries.  The  troops  sprang  forward  with  enthu- 
siasm to  obey  the  command.  By  this  time  the  air  w.as  clear,  except 
from  tl]^  smoko  of  artillery,  and  a good  view  could  be  obtained  of 
the  position  before  them.  Steadily  they  marched  across  the  plain, 
never  faltering,  till  they  were  within  a dozen  yards  of  the  ridge, 
when  suddenly  they  were  met  by  a terrific  fire  from  the  rebel 
infantry,  wdio  were  posted  behind  the  stone  wall.  For  a few 
moments  the  head  of  the  column  exhibited  some  confusion,  but 
quickly  forming  into  line  they  retired  into  a ravine  within  musket- 
shot.  Here  they  were  reinforced  by  a fresh  body  of  infantry,  and 
the  line  of  assault  was  again  formed.  The  order  “ double-quick, 
with  fixed  bayonets  1”  w.as  given;  and  once  more  the  column 
advanced  to  dislodge  the  rebel  artillery. 

From  the  moment  the  storming  party  left  the  ravine  up  to  the 
time  they  re.ached  the  foot  of  the  hills,  they  were  exposed  to  the 
most  terrible  destruction.  The  concentrated  fire  of  the  whole  rebel 
artillery  and  infantry  rained  upon  tlieir  devoted  heads  in  a manner 
truly  appalling. 

No  troops  however  disciplined  could  withstand  such  a tempest 
of  ruin ; and  after  suflering  the  most  distressing  loss,  they  were 
thrown  into  disorder  and  brought  to  a sudden  halt.  At  this  junc- 
ture, the  center  of  the  column  gave  -way  and  fled,  but  was  after- 
ward rallied  and  brought  back.  A second  aqd  third  attempt  was 
made  to  dislodge  the  foe,  but  in  vain.  And  as  the  ranks  of  the 
storming  party  were  fearfully  thinned  by  each  successive  advance, 
the  hope  of  assault  was  at  length  abandoned ; the  firing,  however, 
continued  till  dark ; but  the  rebels,  who  had  been  driven  back  a 
short  dist.ance  during  the  day,  returned  to  their  original  position  at 
night;  and  thus  the  heroic  courage  and  bloody  sacrifices  of  the 
Unionists  proved  fruitless. 

The  center,  under  General  Hooker,  co-oper.ated  with  Sumner’s 
column,  and  shared  its  fortune.  The  troops  of  the  former  filed  out 
of  the  city  at  daybreak,  and  moved  toward  the  enemy’s  earth-works. 
Skirmishing  began  soon  after,  and  in  a little  time  the  rebel  artillery 
commenced  playing  upon  the  approaching  column — through  the 


18G 


Fredericicsburg,  Va. 


fog.  Tlio  firing  was  so  inaccurate,  however,  that  the  troops  were 
little  disturbed  liy  it,  butpi  osscd  on,  regardless  of  the  deadly  missiles 
Hying  through  the  air.  Hy-and-by  the  Uidon  batteries  re3i)ondod, 
and  for  hours  a most  terrific  cannonade  was  kept  up  on  both  sides. 
The  enemy’s  position,  however,  was  one  of  exceeding  strength,  and 
appeared  to  be  invulnerable  to  artillery,  notwithstanding  the  guns 
were  excellently  handled. 

About  mid-day,  and  during  tlie  afternoon,  repeated  attempts 
were  made  to  storm  the  enemy’s  position,  but  like  those'J^n  the 
right,  proved  unsuccessful.  From  this  time  forward  the  battle 
raged  with  unusual  fierceness,  and  when  night  came,  it  was  hard 
to  say  who  were  the  victors. 

The  firing  of  musketry  ceased  about  half-past  five  o’clock,  but 
the  rebels  continued  to  cannonade  the  city  long  after  dark.  It  was 
evidently  their  intention  to  shell  the  Union  forces  out  of  Frede- 
ricksburg, but  the  attempt  resulted  merely  in  a wasteful  expenditure 
of  ammunition. 

The  battle  of  Saturday  was  not  renewed  on  the  morrow ; and 
with  the  exception  of  some  skirmishing  in  front,  the  day  was  one 
of  peace  and  quiet,  well  befitting  the  Sabbath.  The  Union  army 
remained  in  order  of  battle  during  this  and  the  following  day,  long 
enough  to  decide  that  the  enemy  would  not  come  out  of  bis  strong- 
holds to  attack  them  with  his  infantry.  General  Burnside  contem- 
plated a renewal  of  tljc  assault,  but  was  dissuaded  by  his  officers. 
It  was  generally  conceded,  however,  that  it  Avas  a military  necessity 
to  move  on  the  enemy’s  works  or  to  Avithdraw.  Accordingly  orders 
Avero  reluctantly  given  for  ro-cro.ssing  the  river;  and  on  Monday 
night,  in  the  midst  of  storm  and  darkness,  the  movement  Avas 
accomplished  Avithout  molestation  and  without  loss  of  either  men 
or  property. 

The  sacrifice  of  the  Union  army  during  this  eventful  struggle 
was  distressing  almost  beyond  parallel.  The  losses  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing — according  to  the  early  reports  of  the  gen- 
erals of  divisions — Avere  over  12,000.  The  rebel  losses,  in  compar- 
ison, Avere  trilling — probably  not  exceeding  3,700.  General  Leo, 
in  his  official  report,  estiFnates  the  killed  and  Avounded  at  only 
eighteen  hundred.  The  object,  however,  at  Avhich  General  Burn- 
side aimed  iu  this  gigantic  game  of  war — and  Avhich  was  no  less 
than  the  annihilation  of  the  rebel  army — seemed  to  warrant  in 
some  measure  the  fearful  hazard  and  terrible  destruction  of  life 
which  it  involved.  IBs  strategy  was  Napoleonic  in  chai'acter, 


JOHN  G.  rOSTEH, 

M;ijoi-(Jcii.  Yols.,  born  in  Xcw  ITanipsliirc  in  ]821;  gruJnuted  at  A\'ert 
I’oint,  June,  IS-lf) ; Brevet  2(1-Jjicut.  ]']nginecrs  ; served  in  Mexico  ; Brevet 
Ist-Licut.,  for  gallantry  at  Contreras  and  Chunilnisco,  and  Jtrevet  Captain 
and  wounded  at  Molino  del  Key;  April,  18G1,  Ist-Licut.  and  Asst.  Prof. 
Engineering  at  A\''cst  I’oint ; Capt.  Engineers,  1st  July,  ISGO  ; at  Charleston, 
18G0-f)l  ; removed  garrison  to  Fort  Suintor,  Bee.  25-(; ; Brevet  Alajor  for 
this  action  ; defended  Fort  Sumter  April  13  and  11,  18G1  ; Brigade  Com.  in 
Burnside  Expedition  ; Brig.-Gen.  Yols.,  Oct.  2.3,  18G1.  Fought  at  Roanoke 
Island  and  Newbern  ; Mil.  Gov.  of  Newbern;  Brevet  Lient.-Col.,  IT.  S.  A., 
April  2,  18()2  ; made!  Com.  1st  Biv.  Ninth  Army  Corps  ; reduced  Fort  Ala- 
con  A[iril  2ri,  for  which  made  Brevet  Col.  IJ.  H.  A. ; Alajor-Gen.  Vols.,  July 
18,  18G2  ; com.  Bep't  N.  C.  and  18th  Army  Corps,  Bee.  13, 18G2  ; won  bat- 
tle of  Kinston,  and  attacked  Goldsboro  ; Alarch  3,  Alajor  Engineers  U.  S.  A. ; 
besieged  at  A\''ashington,  N.  C.,  Alareh  30,  18G3;  escaped  April  11;  com- 
manded Bep’t  of  A’^a.  and  N.  C.,  July  IG,  1863;  Bep’t  of  Ohio,  Nov.  30, 
1863  ; transferred  to  Bep’t  of  South,  Alay  26,  1861 ; Bee.  4,  captured  Rebel 
works  near  Focotaligo,  S.  C.,  and  about  Jan.  15, 1865,  broke  the  Charleston 
& Savannah  R.  R.  and  joined  Sherman’s  command,  and  was  put  in  charge  of 
Savannah.  On  the  J Oth  of  February,  1865,  Gen.  Gilhnore  succeeded  him  in 
command  of  Bep’t  of  South.  On  the  27th  of  June,  1865,  he  was  assigned  to 
command  of  Bepartment  of  Florida. 


Kinston^  etc.,  jV.  G.  189 

contemplating  tlie  piercing  of  the  enemy’s  center — weakened  by 
the  great  prolongation  of  the  rebel  line — and  tliereby  gaining  com- 
mand of  a military  road  in  the  rear  that  afforded  communication 
between  the  two  wings ; thus  dividing  the  hostile  forces  and  placing 
them  at  the  mercy  of  the  Union  army.  It  was  a magnificent  stake, 
splendidly  fought  for ; and  the  result  was  a splendid  failure.  A 
defeat  of  this  nature,  however,  is  by  no  means  without  parallel  in 
the  camiiaigns  of  the  finest  military  geniuses  of  modern  times. 
It  stands  side  by  side  with  the  terrible  reverses  of  Bonaparte  at 
Aspern,  at  Essling,  and  at  Waterloo. 


KINSTON,  ETC.,  N.  C. 

December  14,  1862. 

Unionist^  under  General  Fof^ter,^  about  10,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  160. 
DUunionisUy  under  General  Evans^  about  6,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  125 ; prU^ 
oners^  over  400. 

On  the  morning  of  Thursday  the  11th  of  December,  an  expedi- 
tion under  command  of  General  Foster  set  out  from  Newbern  for 
the  purpose  of  creating  a diversion  in  favor  of  General  Burnside’s 
army — which  was  about  advancing  upon  the  enemy  .at  Fredericks- 
burg— and  of  cutting  the  Wilmington  and  Weldon  Railroad  so  as 
to  interrupt  the  transmission  of  troops  and  supplies  to  Lee’s  army. 
At  the  same  time  a fleet  of  three  gun-bo;its,  under  Commander 
klurray,  .and  five  steamers,  m.anncd  by  an  artillery  force,  under 
Colonel  M.anchcstcr,  proceeded  up  the  Reuse  River,  in  order  to  co- 
operate with  the  land  expedition.  Owing  to  the  low  state  of  the 
water,  however,  the  guu-boats  were  unable  to  advance  more  than 
fifteen  or  eighteen  miles,  and  accordingly  the  artillery  flotilla  pur- 
sued its  way  alone. 

The  hand  force  pushed  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible ; but  in 
consequence  of  the  obstruction  of  the  roads  with  fallen  trees  and 
the  hindrances  caused  by  the  enemy’s  skirmishers,  it  was  not  till 
Saturday  afternoon  that  they  reached  Southwest  Creek,  five  miles 
from  Kinston.  Here  they  found  the  bridge  destroyed  and  the  enemy 
posted  behind  a breast-work  constructed  of  its  ruins.  But  the 
foe  was  soon  compelled  to  retire  by  a heavy  artillery  fire,  in 
front  and  a vigorous  infantry  attack  on  each  flank.  A few'  hours 
were  then  consumed  in  re-building  the  bridge;  when  the  Union 
forces  crossed  over,  and  having  m.archcd  a short  distance  toward 
Kinston,  halted  in  line  of  battle  for  the  night. 

9 


190 


Kinston^  etc.,  Nl  C, 


On  Sunday  morning,  at  daybreak,  the  advance  waa  renewed. 
Shortly  after,  the  enemy’s  pic'kets  were  met  and  driven  hack  upon 
the  main  body.  Tlio  latter  were  found  drawn  up  in  order  of  hattlo 
on  a ground  partially  wooded  and  covered  with  dense  underbrush. 
Their  lines  extended  in  two  divisions,  forming  a re-entrant  angle, 
with  artillery  posted  on  each  flank  and  in  the  center  or  at  the  vertex 
of  the  angle.  The  principal  fo^ce  of  the  Unionists  soon  came  up; 
and  their  batteries  being  placed  in  favorable  positions  on  the  right, 
left,  and  center,  a fierce  artillery  contest  commenced  about  half- 
past ten  o’clock.  The  infantry  soon  advanced  and  took  part  in  the 
engagement;  and  from  this  time  until  one  o’clock  the  fight  raged 
with  uninterrujjtcd  fury. 

At  length  the  rebels  were  outflanked  and  compelled  to  retreat 
across  the  bridge  over  the  Neuse  River,  and  likewise  to  abandon 
their  defenses  on  the  farther  side.  Their  dismay  and  confusion  at 
this  crisis  were  increased  by  their  uncertainty  as  to  whence  they 
might  expect  the  pi-incipal  attack ; as  they  were  not  only  threat- 
ened at  several  points  by  General  Foster’s  flanking  columns,  hut 
were  also  alarmed  by  a heavy  cannonade  from  the  artillery  flotilla 
which  was  now  engaged  with  a guerrilla  force  some  distance  below 
Kinston,  the  approach  to  which  was  interrupted  by  a strong  rebel 
redoubt  that  commanded  the  river.  As  the  enemy  fled  over  the 
bridge,  they  set  fire  to  it  at  several  points  where  it  liad  been  pre- 
viously' saturated  with  turpentine.  But  tlio  Union  troops,  being 
in  close  jjursnit,  succeeded  in  extinguishing  the  flames;  and  soon 
after  crossed  and  entered  the  town. 

During  this  alfair  General  Foster’s  command  took  over  400  prison- 
ers, besides  capturing  fourteen  i)ioces  of  artillery,  500  stands  of  small- 
arms,  a considerable  supply  of  ammunition,  and  large  quantities  of 
commissary  and  quartermaster’s  stores.  Their  losses  in  killed  and 
wounded  were  about  160,  or  somewhat  greater  than  those  of  the 
enemy,  who  was  i)rotected  much  of  the  time  behind  intrenchments. 

Shortly  after  reaching  Kinston,  a detachment  under  Captain  Colo 
gained  possession  of  the  redoubt  which  commanded  the  river  below, 
and  which  the  enemy  had  already  evacuated,  leaving  only  a guard 
behind  that  fled  on  the  .approach  of  the  Union  force.  A portion 
ils  armament  had  been  ah.andoned  in  the  haste  of  retreat;  and 
four  pieces  were  now  brought  away,  while  the  rest,  being  too  heavy 
for  removal,  were  spiked  and  left  behind. 

General  Foster’s  expedition  continued  its  advance  to  Whiteh.all, 
and  thence  to  Goldsboro  bridge,  at  both  which  points  they  had 


Vickshurgy  Miss. 


191 


severe  fights  with  the  enemy.  They  succeeded  in  destroying  the 
Wilmington  and  Weldon  Railroad  bridges  with  extensive  trestle- 
works,  near  Mount  Olive  Station  and  across  the  Neuse,  and  in 
blowing  up  culverts  and  tearing  up  and  otherwise  injuring  the  track 
for  a distance  of  several  miles.  Having  thus  accomplished  the 
purpose  of  the  expedition,  they  retired  gradually  to  Nowbern. 

General  Foster’s  total  losses,  from  the  time  of  his  departure  to 
that  of  his  return,  wore  577 ; those  of  the  rebels,  as  oflicially 
reported,  were  835 — chiefly  prisoners. 


VICKSBURG,  MISS. 

December  27  to  29,  1862. 

VnionisU.,  tinder  General  IF.  T.  Sherman.,  numbers  not  reported.  Killed,  191; 
wounded^  9S2  ; missing,  756. 

JXsunionisU,  under  General  Johnston,  about  50,000.  Losses,  not  reported. 

December  26th,  an  expedition  under  General  Sherman  ascended 
tlie  Yazoo  River  about  eighteen  miles,  and  there  disembarked.  The 
following  day  they  attacked  the  advanced  works  of  the  enemy, 
extending  six  miles  back  from  Vicksburg.  A terrific  conflict 
ensued,  lasting  five  hours ; the  rebels  were  driven  beyond  two 
bayous  that  girt  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  and  from  their  redoubt  on 
the  hill.  It  was  now  night ; and  the  two  armies  lay  down  on  their 
arms,  with  the  bayous  intervening.  During  the  succeeding  hours 
of  darkness,  pontoons  were  constructed  under  a heavy  fire  from 
the  enemy,  and  at  daylight  on  the  28th  a concerted  advance  was 
attempted  by  the  whole  army.  The  entire  force  became  engaged 
at  sunrise,  and  up  to  ten  o’clock  the  musketry  and  artillery  fight- 
ing was  very  severe;  at  this  juncture  the  Eighth  Missouri  stormed 
the  first  redoubt  and  gained  possession  of  the  hill  which  commanded 
the  swamps  and  bottom-lands  below.  The  rebels  in  overwhelming 
numbers  fought  determinedly,  and  contested  the  ground  inch  by 
inch,  retiring  only  as  they  were  pressed.  The  outer  works  that 
were  carried  mounted  nine  heavy  guns.  Seven  hundred  prisoners 
were  captured.  Whole  regiments,  and  even  brigades,  fought  hand- 
to-hand  over  the  murderous  guns  and  for  possession  of  the  defenses. 
The  loss  on  both  sides  was  heavy. 

Monday  the  29th  witnessed  a still  severer  contest.  The  Union 
troops  after  fighting  from  early  morning  till  two  o’clock,  succeeded 
in  capturing  the  impregnable  works  within  a mile  and  a half  of 
the  city,  but  held  them  only  forty  minutes.  At  the  expiration  of 


192 


Murfreesboro,  Stone  River,  Tcnn.  ■ 

tliis  time  tlio  foo  was  ro-cnforccd  by  Price’s  entire  command,  and 
coming  down  ni)on  tlio  gallant  assailants  with  overwhelming 
numbers,  drove  them  out  and  repossessed  their  defenses.  The 
carnage  was  fearful.  The  total  casualties  of  the  Union  army  were 
1,500  killed  and  wounded,  including  800  prisoners.  General 
Sherman  had  counted  upon  the  co-operation  of  General  Grant  in 
the  assault;  but  the  latter  had  been  compelled  to  fall  back  to  Holly 
Springs,  which  not  only  prevented  bis  re-enforcing  Sherman,  but 
gave  the  Confederates  opportunity  to  bring  forward  additional 
troops  from  Grenada.  Unaware  of  the  cause  of  Grant’s  non- 
appearance,  however,  Sherman  determined  to  make  the  attempt 
alone ; and  the  result  was  a disastrous  failure. 

January  1st,  General  McClernand,  having  arrived  at  Vicksburg, 
assumed  the  chief  command  of  the  Union  forces,  his  commission 
ante-dating  that  of  Sherman  by  about  one  month.  On  the  2d  inst. 
the  expedition  withdrew. 


MURFREESBORO,  STONE  RIVER,  TENN 

December  31,  1862,  to  January  4, 1863. 

XJniovUU,^  'iinder  General  liosecrans,  45,000.  Killed^  1,4T4;  wounded^  6,813; 

mimiing^  2,022. 

DimnioniaiSy  under  General  JohneUm^  62,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  14,560 ; 
oner^^  8,500. 

Genekai.  Roseceans,  learning  from  reliable  sources  that  tne 
rebel  army  was  in  the  main  deprived  of  its  ca'mlry,  by  Morgan’s 
and  Forrest’s  raids  north  and  west,  also  ascertaining  that  Murfrees- 
boro was  unfortified,  determined  to  take  the  field  in  person,  lioping 
to  possess  himself  of  suflieient  country  to  feed  his  army,  while  bis 
communications  were  intercepted  in  the  rear.  The  movement  of 
the  Union  forces  was  commenced  Christmas  day,  December  25tb. 
The  army  was  divided  into  three  corps — General  McCook’s,  on  the 
right.  General  Thomas’,  in  the  center,  and  General  Crittenden’s, 
on  the  left.  During  the  entire  day  there  was  considerable  skir- 
mi.sliing  with  tlie  enemy,  but  tlio  onward  movomont  was  not 
seriously  retarded. 

On  the  following  day  skirmishing  was  renewed  with  greater 
severity,  the  rebels  resisting  with  increased  energy.  On  reaching 
Lytle’s  Creek,  they  found  the  enemy  posted  in  great  force,  and 
there  the  army  tarried  for  the  night.  General  Rosecrans  bad  thus 
far  gained  his  purpose,  and  was  in  possession  of  a tract  rich  in 
forage. 


193 


Murfreesboro^  Stone  River,  Tenn. 


On  Sunday,  the  28th,  the  troops  rested  from  their  march.  The 
29th,  Rosecraiis  ordered  a general  advance,  and  the  army  moved 
at  dayhglit.  On  their  arrival  at  Stewart’s  Creek  a spirited  engage- 
ment was  anticipated ; but  with  the  exception  of  a duel  between 
Parsons’  Sixth  United  States  Artillery  and  a rebel  battery,  the  day 
passed  quietly.  Tlio  Union  troops  crossed  the  creek  without  oi)po- 
sition,  and  the  commander-in-chief  announced  that  his  headquarters 
would  bo  immediately  established  at  Murfreesboro. 

Thursday,  December  80th,  there  was  some  desultory  fighting, 
which  resulted  in  advantage  to  the  Unionists.  General  Crittenden 
at  this  period  reported  the  enemy  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  on  the 
east  bide  of  Stone  River.  Rosecrans  ordered  him  to  fall  into  posi- 
tion, two  divisions  in  front  and  one  in  reserve,  also  to  eover  his  flanks. 
General  McCook  announced  his  command  seven  miles  from  Mur- 
freesboro, the  enemy  confronting  him.  A great  battle  was  immi- 
nent; and  tbe  commanding  general  spent  the  entire  day  in  dispos- 
ing his  troops  and  arranging  other  matters  so  as  to  insure  success 
to  the  Union  arms. 

On  the  morning  of  the  31st  the  battle  was  opened.  At  daybreak 
the  enemy  moved  upon  the  right  wing  under  General  McCook.  The 
alarm  given  by  the  pickets  had  scarcely  reached  the  camp  when 
the  Confederates  were  upon  it.  The  advance  of  the  rebels  afforded 
a magnificent  spectacle.  Two  columns  deep,  with  a front  of  nearly 
three  quarters  of  a mile,  the  line  well  preserved  and  rapidly  ap- 
proaching, on  came  their  left  wing,  their  bayonets  gleaming  through 
the  fog  that  still  hung  over  them.  The  Unionists  were  amazed, 
and  such  was  the  impetuosity  of  the  charge,  that  they  fell  back  in 
dismay,  the  enemy  pouring  upon  them  a deadly  fire.  Gradually 
recovering,  they  now  disputed  the  farther  advance  of  the  foe;  the 
battle  raged  with  terrific  violence.  The  Federal  troops  continued 
to  fall  back,  until  the  rebel  left  had  nearly  swung  around  on  the 
Union  right,  driving  them  some  miles  toward  their  center.  Gen- 
eral McCook  made  superhuman  efforts  to  withstand  the  charge,  but 
all  in  vain.  With  a broken  column  it  was  impossible  to  rally  and 
re-form  as  a whole,  his  artillery  captured,  and  unable  to  present 
more  than  a division  line  of  battle,  he  could  only  obey  the  order  to 
fall  back  and  form  on  the  right  of  General  Thomas’  column.  Yet 
resistance  was  by  no  means  abandoned.  Twice  the  rebel  center 
was  repulsed ; but  their  right  and  left  continued  to  press  on,  until 
their  enfilading  lire  compelled  the  Unionists  to  retire.'  They  offered 
the  most  gallant  opposition ; but  human  power  could  not  resist  the 


194  Murfreesboro^  Stone  liiver,  Tenn. 

cliargo.  Tlio  rebels  swept  on  like  demons  of  madness — shot,  shell, 
grape,  and  canister  tearing  through  tlieir  ranks,  and  strewing  their 
route  with  heaps  of  dead  and  dying.  Still  on  they  went,  over- 
whelming all  before  them,  and  scattering  the  Unisn  troops  as  the 
hurricane  scatters  the  leaves  in  its  course. 

It  was  now  midday ; General  Rosecrans,  undismayed  at  the  results 
of  the  morning,  had  watched  the  progress  of  events  with  an  air  of 
confidence  incomprehensible  to  his  subordinates.  lie  was  well 
aware  that  ho  coidd  not  send  reinforcements  from  the  left  or  center 
witliout  groat  hazard,  for  tho  enemy  anxiously  watclied  in  front  to 
see  which  j)art  of  his  lino  would  bo  weakened.  But  though  unable 
to  send  help  to  McCook,  he  prepared  his  line,  so  as  to  enable  the 
latter  to  get  safely  on  the  right.  Ilis  intention  was  to  halt  the 
rebels  on  tile  defeated  Union  right,  without  exposing  the  left  and 
center  to  imminent  danger.  For  this  purpose  the  artillery  \yas 
massed  and  brought  to  hear  on  the  enemy’s  left,  at  tho  probable 
])oint  of  assault.  Thus  made  ready,  the  center  was  thrown  forward 
a few  hundred  yards ; and  soon  after  tho  foe  appeared  in  force,  pur- 
suing the  right  wing. 

Tho  hour  for  terrible  revenge  had  arrived;  on  came  the  rebels 
flushed  with  recent  success,  their  center  and  right  or  left  wing 
merged  in  overwhelming  masses  in  front  of  tho  masked  batteries. 
The  artillery  opened  upon  them  from  all  directions,  with  terrible 
slaughter.  They  wavered,  fell  back,  attempted  to  rally ; and  another 
volley  came  tearing  through  their  ranks  and  swept  them  hack  in 
wild  confusion. 

An  impressive  lull  followed,  and  a suspension  of  hostilities  for 
three  hours.  Again  the  enemy  rallied  and  burst  with  maddened 
desperation  on  the  Union  center.  It  suddenly  broke  ; — Rousseau’s 
division  instantly  pressed  forward  and  filled  up  the  gap.  The  con- 
flict raged  with  unremitting  fury  for  two  hours.  For  a consider- 
able time  tho  rebels  constantly  gained  ground ; hut  were  finally 
checked  by  tho  combined' firo  oftnu-sketry  and  artillery. 

Between  five  and  si.x  o’clock  tho  enemy,  ap[)arently  exhausted 
with  his  rapid  and  ince.ssant  assaults,  assumed  a ])osition  unassailablo 
without  abundant  artillery ; the  lire  on  both  sides  abated  and  died 
away  as  darkness  closed  on  the  ill-starred  day.  At  tho  conclusion 
of  this  terrific  battle  of  eleven  hours’  duration,  the  advantage  was 
with  the  foe,  and  the  Union  troops  were  greatly  dispirited  by  their 
misfortunes.  The  old  year  departed  in  gloom,  its  shadows  rested 
upon  thousands  of  loyal  hearts ; but  amid  all  the  discouragements, 


Murfreesboro,  Stone  River,  Tenrt. 


195 


their  gallant  commander  never  .desponded.  The  disaster  of  the 
morning  seemed  only  to  nerve  him  with  new  vigor  and  increased 
determination  to  retrieve  his  losses  ; ho]>eful  and  conlident  himself, 
he  strove  to  diffuse  among  his  men  a linn,  unwavering  trust  in 
their  ultimate  success. 

The  new  year  smiled  cheerfully  upon  nature;  the  sun  shone 
brightly,  dispelling  the  fog  which  daily  gathered  over  the  field.  The 
Union  army,  during  the  night  of  the  31st,  took  up  a strongly  in- 
trenched position,  and  crowned  the  hills  with  their  strongest  batte- 
ries. January  1st,  severe  skirmishing  occurred,  but  no  prolonged 
action.  The  second  day  of  the  new  year  was  as  glorious  as  had 
been  the  initial  morning.  Tlie  sun  broke  through  the  cold  gray 
clouds  and  looked  down  upon  the  battle-field,  still  strewn  with 
unburied  dead.  All  was  quiet  if  not  iieaceful ; but  the  calm  of  tlio 
inorning  was  suddenly  broken  by  an  attack  upon  llousseau’s  artil- 
lery. The  Union  pickets  were  driven  in  ; and  two  rebel  batteries 
were  planted  on  cither  side. of  Murfreesboro,  and  opened  briskly  on 
Rousseau's  camp.  The  cannonading  soon  became  terrific.  The 
entire  line  of  both  sides  quickly  flew  to  arms;  but  the  infantry 
were  restrained,  and  the  artillery  left  to  accomplish  its  own  work. 
For  a quarter  of  an  hour  the  ground  trembled  Avith  their  thunder- 
ings,  the  trees  rocked  and  quivered  in  the  blast,  and  the  air  was 
rent  with  fearful  explosion.  Five  pieces  of  a rebel  battery  Avero 
dismounted  and  the  battery  itself  nearly  destroyed;  the  remaining 
guns  limbered  up  and  disappeared.  The  other  battery  was  now 
ordered  to  leave,  and  quickly  fell  back  to  the  right. 

The  smoke  of  battle  died  aAvay,  and  fighting  Avas  not  resumed  till 
late  in  tlie  afternoon.  The  Confederates,  under  General  Breckin- 
ridge, uoAV  assaulted  the  Union  troops  massed  at  a point  near  the 
bend  of  the  river.  A signal  gun  announced  the  opening  of  the 
combat ; the  report  had  scarcely  died  aAA'ay  Avhen  the  rebel  brig- 
ades moved  rapidly  forAvard.  The  Unionists  oi)cned  a sweeping  tiro 
upon  them,  and  a AvhirlAvind  of  Minie  balls  from  tlieir  infantry 
darkened  the  air.  Still  the  enemy  rush  on  Avith  the  impetuosity  of 
a torrent,  and  hurl  forward  infantry  and  artillery  Avith  overwhelm- 
ing power.  Rousseau’s  troops  fall  back  to  and  across  Lytle’s  Creek, 
the  rebels  pursuing  them  to  its  very  banks.  The  enemy’s  artillery 
is  at  once  moved  forward  to  the  abandoned  point.  From  either 
hank  of  the  stream  the  contending  forces  hurled  upon  each  other 
a tonihlc  fire  of  musketry.  At  this  junctiiro  Genoral  liosccran-s 
ordered  up  Negley’s  reserves.  They  advanced  with  gallant  bearing, 


196 


Murfreesboro,  Stone  River,  Tenn. 


Kliouling  cntliusiastioally  as  tlicy  pressed  on  the  left;  and  on  reae.liing 
the  stream,  lired  uiion  the  rebels  beyond  with  terrible  ellbct.  Ncg- 
ley,  now  bringing  bis  batteries  into  position,  sent  a tempest  of  grape 
and  shrapnel  into  the  rebel  lines.  They  wavered  and  fell  slowly 
back.  The  division  now  crossed  the  stream,  wlien  their  comman- 
der suddenly  found  himself  the  senior  division  officer  on  that  part 
of  the  field.  lie  hesitated  a moment,  aud  glancing  over  his  trooi)3, 
placed  his  hat  on  his  sword,  shouted  to  them  to  charge,  and  led  his 
line  to  the  crest  of  the  hill.  The  charge  was  desperate  and  bril- 
liant; the  enemy,  unable  to  resist  it,  broke  and  iled  in  disorder. 

General  liosecrans,  hearing  of  this  success,  ordered  the  entire 
line  to  advance ; a moment  later  it  became  a sheet  of  smoke  and 
flame.  The  resistance  of  the  foe  was  heroic;  but  through  the 
cloud  of  smoke  Negley  was  descried  pressing  upon  their  right  flank, 
and  from  afar  came  the  shouts  of  triumph.  The  Confederate  right 
wing  being  crushed,  all  their  attempts  to  hold  the  position  were 
fruitless,  and  the  Federal  force  pushing  forward  drove  them  vigor- 
ously. 'I'ho  outer  works  were  passed  with  cries  of  Victory  ! sick- 
ening to  the  hearts  of  the  flying  foe.  They  never  paused,  nor  made 
resistance ; but  niglit  came  and  saved  them.  ' 

General  Eosecrans  immediately  ordered  the  intrenchment  of  the 
Union  line.  A heavy  rain  fell  during  the  night,  and  next  morning, 
January  3d,  the  ground  on  the  left  was  impassable  to  artillery; 
consequently  no  pursuit  was  directed,  and  the  day  closed  with- 
out further  hostilities,  save  the  driving  of  the  enemy’s  sharp- 
shooters from  the  front  of  the  Federal  army.  Before  Rousseau’s 
camp  a rebel  redoubt  was  stationed,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  4th 
they  opened  with  artillery.  Rousseau  immediately  asked  permis- 
sion of  the  commander-in-chief  to  ca[)turo  the  works,  expressing 
full  confidence  in  his  ability  to  accomplish  the  undertaking.  The 
request  being  granted,  he  detailed  two  regiments  for  the  duty; 
they  approached  under  a murderous  fire  and  took  the  redoubt  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet.  During  the  night  the  enemy  evacuated 
Jilurfreesboro,  and  at  eleven  o’clock  the  following  morning,  Janu- 
ary 5th,  General  Rosccrans  occupied  the  city. 


Hed  3Iound,  Tenn. 


197 


RED  MOUND,  TENN. 

Ja-nuaut  1,  18C3. 

VnionistSy  under  G^nerttl  KiUedy^d  \ ^roumled  100;  77?^^^9^«(7,  (50. 

DUunionUtSy  binder  General  Forresty  7,000.  KilUdy  100  ; wounded  200  ; 
erSy  400. 

The  last  of  December  closed  an  unparalleled  campaign  under 
file  Icadcrsliip  of  General  Sullivan,  vvlio  with  a few  brigades  of 
infantry  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  against  superior  numbers  of 
cavalry  and  artillery,  succeeded  in  outmaneuvering  and  ultimately 
engaging  and  routing  a force  of  the  enemy  under  oue  of  Bragg’s 
most  dashing  and  eflicient  officers. 

Shortly  after  the  assault  on  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  the  destruction 
of  the  Union  stores  there,  and  the  subsequent  northern  movement 
of  the  forces  participating  in  that  affair,  it  was  believed  tliat  a 
general  movement  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  was  in  progress.  IVliile 
Van  Dorn  was  making  his  way  to  Bolivar,  with  some  intention  of 
reaching  that  place,  information  reached  General  Sullivan  that  the 
rebel  General  Forrest,  with  a body  of  7,000  men,  was  crossing  the 
Tennessee,  at  a village  known  as  Clifton.  At  tlie  time  of  hearing 
this  report,  Sullivan’s  command  was  alarmingly  dispersed ; it  hav- 
ing a railroad,  130  miles  in  length,  under  its  protection.  Sul- 
livan ordered  500  cavalry  under  Colonel  Ingcrsoll  to  reconnoiter 
in  the  direction  of  Le.xington,  thirty  miles  eastward,  with  instruc- 
tions to  fall  back  upon  Jackson  if  he  encountered  the  enemy. 
Upon  reaching  Le.xington,  Colonel  Ingersoll’s  command  was  warmly 
attacked  by  a body  of  eavalry,  under  the  personal  command  of 
Forrest.  The  Colonel  was  taken  prisoner,  and  his  men  skirmished 
back. 

General  Sullivan  now  gathered  his  forces  for  the  purpose  of 
marching  out  to  meet  the  foe,  leaving  the  defenses  of  Jackson  under 
the  direction  of  Major  Smith.  The  I'cbcls  succeeded  in  forcing  the 
Union  cavalry  back,  until  within  three  miles  east  of  the  town; 
where  Sullivan  met  and  rej)ellcd  them.  Meeting  such  obstinate 
resistance.  General  Forrest,  instead  of  marching  upon  the  town, 
made  a detour  northwesterly,  struck  the  railroad  seven  miles  north 
of  this  point,  and  captured  a small  garrisoti  of  soldiers  at  Carroll 
Station. 

The  Union  forces  were  then  withdrawn  into  Jackson,  and  the 
rebels  scattered  along  the  railroad.  Major  Smith  at  once  dis- 
patched  500  infantry  upon  a train,  with  orders  to  advance  to  the 
relief  of  Colonel  Fry,  at  Trenton.  When  but  a short  distance  out. 


198 


Bed  31ound,  Tenn. 


they  foniul  the  road  severed.  The  men  immediately  disembarked, 
leaving  the  train  under  a strong  guard,  Ibuglit  their  way  to  llum- 
holdt,  dislodged  the  enemy,  and  Uiok  possession  of  the  tovvu.  Tid- 
ings now  reached  the  Unionists  of  the  capitulation  of  Colonel  Fry 
and  250  men  at  Trenton.  The  Federal  forces  arrested  their  march 
and  awaited  furtlier  orders. 

General  Sullivan  arriving  at  Jackson  sent  1,500  men  undei*' 
General  Ilaynio  to  ro^tair  the  road  and  if  possible  drive  out  tlio 
enemy ; the  instructions  were  faithfully  carried  out.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief  now  massed  a force — 3,000  infantry,  six  pieces 
of  artillery,  and  eighty  cavalry — at  Trenton,  with  which  he  for- 
ced his  way  to  Huntington.  There  he  met  the  advance  of  For- 
rest’s army,  hastening  along  the  road  to  strike  Lexington,  thence 
pursue  the  route  to  Clifton,  and  re-cross.  The  same  evening  a 
spirited  skiri|jish  occurred  between  the  opposing  forces.  General 
Forrest,  thus  finding  his  retreat  cut  off,  made  a detour  during  the 
night  to  the  west  of  Huntington,  expecting  thus  to  elude  the  pur- 
suers. On  his  arrival  here  another  skirmish  took  place.  Believing 
it  to  he  Forrest’s  plan  to  intersect  the  Lexington  road  at  Clarks- 
burg or  Red  klound.  General  Sullivan,  thinking  to  thwart  them, 
sent  forward  a detachment  of  1,400  infantry  with  four  cannon  to 
overtake  the  enemy  at  one  of  the  above-mentioned  points.  The 
enterprise  was  committed  to  Colonel  Dunham.  At  Clarksburg 
tliey  overtook  the  rebel  pickets.  A skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the 
enemy  met  with  slight  loss. 

The  next  morning  Colonel  Dunham  came  upon  the  entire  rebel 
force  at  Red  kloiind  and  engaged  it.  General  Sullivan  set  out  at 
three  o’clock  with  the  other  brigade.  At  daybreak  the  enemy’s 
rear  was  struck.  The  Union  general  quickly  deployed  his  troops: 
part  of  the  brigade  on  the  left,  under  Major  Smith  ; while  another 
part,  under  Colonel  Fuller,  was  thrown  to  the  right  road.  General 
Sullivan  directed  the  center  in  person. 

Major  Smith  ordered  a charge,  and  after  the  proper  positions 
were  attained,  the  entire  line  advanced  simultaneously.  The  result 
was  as  anticipated.  Forrest  was  outgeneraled,  and  his  command 
dispersed  to  the  tour  winds  of  heaven. 

The  duration  of  the  battle  was  from  seven  until  three;  and  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  the  fighting  was  very  severe.  The 
enemy  had  in  the  engagement  'f.OOO  men,  all  mounted,  and  eleven 
pieces  of  artillery.  The  Union  force  embraced  only  3,000  infan- 
try, six  cannon,  and  the  diminutive  number  of  eighty  cavalry. 


199 


Spi'inQfietd^  3Io. 

General  Sullivan’s  sueeess  resulted  in  the  capture  of  seven  can- 
non, 800  horses,  all  tlie  ammunition  wagons  except  one,  all  the 
caissons,  and  400  prisoners.  Ilis  losses  amounted  to  twentj^  killed, 
100  wounded,  and  sixty  prisoners. 

-♦♦♦ 


SPEINGFIELD,  MO. 

January  7 and  8,  18G3. 

Vnionists,  under  General  E.  B.  Brown,  2,400.  Killed,  17 : oilier  losnes,  not  re- 
ported. 

Bisunionists,  under  Genei  al  3fiitmadnX-e,  0,000.  Killed,  loonnd ed,  and  missing, 
800. 

The  enemy  under  General  Marrnaduke  made  an  attack  on  Spring- 
field,  Missouri,  on  the  morning  of  January  7th,  Tlie  ^action  con- 
tinued thirteen  hours.  The  rebel  force  consisted  of  5,000  mounted 
infantry  and  two  pieces  of  field  artillery  drawn  by  ten  horses  each. 

The  expedition  was  fitted  out  on  the  Arkansas  River,  for  the 
capture  of  Springfield,  with  its  forts  and  large  depots  of  stores.  It 
moved  with  great  rapidity,  skirmishing  with  Union  scouting  parties 
almost  the  entire  distance.  On  reaching  the  town,  the  rebels  open- 
ed a heavy  cannonade,  without  giving  a moment’s  notice  to  remove 
the  helpless  women  and  children.  The  Federal  forces  under  Gen- 
eral Brown, were  of  the  State  militia,  hastily  gathered,  and  at  tho 
outset  did  not  exceed  GOO.  Their  artillery  consisted  of  two  old, 
iron,  twelve-pound  howitzem,  one  iron  six-pounder,  rudely  mount- 
ed on  old  wagon-wheels,  and  no  ordinary  equipments  for  artillery. 

General  Marrnaduke,  after  some  hours’  hard  fighting,  captured 
one  of  the  Union  guns,  but  later  in  the  engagement  he  was  thor- 
oughly repulsed.  Fighting  was  renewed  on  the  8th  and  continued 
throughout  the  day.  At  sundown,  the  Union  army  was  increased 
by  reinforcements  to  about  2,400.  Volleys  of  musketry  were 
poured  into  the  enemy’s  ranks ; till  unable  to  hold  out  any  longer 
they  retired  with  a loss  of  300  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners. 
The  Union  commander  was  severely  wounded^  and  lost  an  arm 
during  the  contest. 


TK, 


200  Arkansas  Post,  Ark. 

ARKANSAS  POST,  ARK. 

January  11,  1863. 

Union  land  forces  under  General  McClernand.^  numhere  not  reported;  naval 
force^under  Admiral  Porter^  comprising  four  iron-clad  gun-boats.  Killed^ 
129;  u'oHnded.,  831 ; missing.^  17. 

PisunionisUy  under  General  Churchill.,  over  6,000.  Killed  and  wounded, 
prisoners,  4,720. 

On  tlie  inoniing  of  January  9tli,  tlie  immense  Union  fleet— in  all 
not  far  from  a luiiRlred  vessels — commenced  its  winding  course  up 
the  Arkansas  lliver.  In  tlie  front  and  rear  lingo  iiillars  of  smoko 
rose  above  tlie  forest  and  mingled  witli  the  clouds.  On  either  side, 
the  barren  cotton-wood,  willow,  and  cane,  still  verdant,  shut  in  the 
banks  like  a vast  stockade.  The  gun-boats  advanced  slowly,  their 
ports  open  and  grim  with  cannon.  The  sharp-shooters  appeared 
upon  the  deck,  and  were  on  the  “ qui  vive."  But  on  shore  scarcely 
a vestige  of  man  could  be  seen  ; here  and  there,  however,  a char- 
acteristic log  hut  and  cornfield  were  visible,  and  at  long  intervals 
the  farm  of  a thrifty  planter.  Thus  the  day  wore  on,  the  dark 
forest  around,  the  dull  murky  sky  above.  About  tive  o’clock  they 
neared  the  shore  and  cast  anchor.  The  troops  debarked,  and  the 
neighboring  cornfields  were  soon  aglow  with  camp-fires. 

Early  the  next  morning,  January  10th,  all  was  in  motion.  Drums 
rolled,  bugles  sounded,  and  regiments  liastened  to  the  ranks  of 
war.  The  gallant  Eighth  Missouri,  with  a body  of  marines,  pushed 
forward  US'  skirmishers  and  maintained  a random  fire.  To  the 
right,  some  Iowa  troops  were  feeling  their  way  into  the  wet  soil 
and  underbrush  of  the  forest.  Steele’s  division  was  preparing  to 
lead  the  advance.  The  main  works  were  not  visible;  but  here  and 
there  a galloping  horseman  and  a gleam  of  bayonets  indicated  the 
presence  of  a large  body  of  rebels.  Thus  matters  progressed 
through  the  day.  The  enemy,  it  plainly  appeared,  were  falling  back  ; 
the  second  lino  of  rifle-pits  had  been  evacuated  in  evident  confusion. 
At  last  the  fort,  gi’im  and  silent,  dawned  upon  the  view.  One  huge 
Dahlgren,  en  Jmrbette  on  the  left,  and  two  twin  monsters,  looking 
out  of  sharply-defined  casemates,  were  threatening  vengeance  upon 
any  approaching  craft. 

The  action  did  not  open  till  nightfall.  The  gun  boats  sent  forth 
peal  after  peal,  rending  the  air  with  their  fearful  thundering.  Now 
ajipcared  a lurid  flash,  and  then  a stream  of  lire,  and  anon  all  was 
lost  in  darkness.  Again  a volley,  echoing  and  re-echoing  down  the 
river  and  through  the  forest,  died  aw.ay  in  prolonged  reverberations. 
Above,  the  evening  star,  cradled  in  the  amber  clouds  of  a dying 


201 


I 


Arlcansas  Post,  Ark. 


eunset,  looked  down  upon  tlio  scene  of  strife.  At  eight  o’clock 
the  firing  ceased,  and  the  niglit  was  spent  in  disposing  the  troops. 

At  daylight  on  the  15th  the  Unionists  had  forced  their  way  into 
the  rear  of  the  fort  and  were  drawn  up  in  battle  array.  They  occu- 
pied an  arc  of  a circle  of  sixty  degrees,  the  right  resting  on  the 
creek,  the  left  on  the  river,  extending  for  nearly  two  miles  and  a 
half,  and  only  a half  mile  distant  from  the  fort.  The  enemy,  liow- 
ever,  held  a position  quite  near  the  Union  army.  A portion  of  Sul- 
livan’s troops  were  peculiarily  exposed,  owing  to  their  being  posted 
in  an  open  field,  only  separated  from  the  enemy  by  a ravine  and  a 
thin  belt  of  timber.  The  position  on  the  river  was  also  much 
exposed,  on  account  of  being  in  full  range  of  the  fort. 

About  one  o’clock  the  gun-boats  began  to  move  up  the  stream  ; 
the  De  Kalb  in  front,  the  Louisville  behind,  the  Cincinnati  bringing 
up  the  rear.  No  sound  could  be  heard  but  the  puffing  of  the 
engines  and  the  slow  revolutions  of  the  paddle-wheels.  The  gath- 
ering groups  on  the  river-side  were  breathless  with  expectation. 
The  minutes  of  painful  suspense  grow  longer ; still  no  sound.  The 
gun-boats  push  forward,  with  streaming  pennons;  while  the  flag  of 
treason  floats  in  languid  folds  above  the  fort. 

At  length  a volume  of  smoke  pours  forth  from  the  De  Kalb.  In 
a moment  the  earth  trembles  with  a heavy  report.  Then  the 
Louisville  opens,  and  quickly  following,  tlie  Cincinnati  rings  out  a 
note  of  defiance.  Now  the  Monarch  and  the  Admiral’s  boat  begin 
at  long  range.  Volley  after  volley  tollows  in  quick  succession,  till 
the  boats  are  enveloped  in  a cloud  of  smoke.  The  embankment 
is  plowed  with  shells,  and  volumes  of  dust  and  fragments  of  timber 
are  thrown  into  the  air.  The  discharges  of  the  immense  harhette 
guns  of  the  fort  mingle  with  the  explosion  of  shells.  But  still 
the  heavy  casemated  guns  are  silent  as  the  grave.  Meantime  the 
land  forces  have  been  brought  into  the  engagement.  The  booming 
of  cannon  and  the  sharp  crack  of  musketry  are  heard  in  the  intervals 
of  firing  on  the  river.  It  soon  becomes  apparent  that  the  monster 
guns  in  the  casemates  were  silenced  in  the  action  of  the  previous 
evening.  After  the  battle  had  progressed  an  hour,  tlie  shrill  demo- 
niac scream  of  the  Dahlgren  also  is  silenced.  The  rebels  then 
directed  their  attention  to  the  Union  right.  Sherman  pressed  on 
their  flank,  and  they  resisted  his  advance.  Thus  the  battle  raged 
till  half-past  four,  when  the  white  flag  w.as  descried  floating  above 
the  earth-works.  The  firing  ceased  and  the  fort  surrendered.  The 
Union  troops  immediately  entered  and  planted  their  flag  upon  the 


202 


Fort  Donelson. — Spring  Jlill^  Fenn. 


walls.  Colonel  Dunnington,  commander  of  the  fort,  surrendered 
Ills  sword  to  Admiral  Porter  in  person.  General  Oliurchilll,  com- 
mander of  the  enemy’s  field-forces,  soon  a[)peared  with  his  statf, 
and  S-.rrendered  himself  and  his  troops  to  General  McClernand.  A 
fortress  mounting  nine  heavy  guns,  with  a garrison  of  about  6,000 
men,  with  all  their  arms,  ammunition,  and  equipments  of  war,  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists. 



FORT  DONELSON,  TENN. 

Februart  4,  1863. 

XJnionistft^  vnder  Colonel  Harding^  800.  Killed  and  wounded^  126. 

DisunioniatSy  under  General  Wheeler^  4,500.  Killed^  140;  wounded^  400;  prison^ 
ers^  130. 

General  WnEELER’s  Confederate  cavalry,  numbering  4,600,  with 
eight  pieces  of  artillery,  attacked  Fort  Donelson  at  two  o’clock 
P.M.,  February  4th.  The  fort  was  garrisoned  by  800  men,  under 
Colonel  Harding.  The  rebels  made  fierce  and  oft-repeated  charges 
upon  the  fortifications,  but  were  repulsed  by  the  combined  artillery 
and  infantry  fire  of  the  Unionists.  The  fighting  was  most  desperate 
in  its  character,  and  of  seven  hours’  duration.  The  enemy  both 
before  and  after  the  contest  demanded  a surrender,  offering  to  spare 
life  if  the  conditions  were  accepted.  The  Union  commander  scorned 
their  overtures  and  declared  himself  “ready  for  all  the  conse- 
quences.” The  rebel  losses  considerably  exceeded  those  of  the 
Unionists:  136  of  their  number  were  buried  by  Harding’s  troops 
at  Fort  Donelson. 


SPRINGHILL,  TENN. 

March  5,  1863. 

Unionists^  under  General  OoiurTi,  2,500.  Killed  and  wounded^  prisoners^ 
1,2(J0. 

Disunioniete^  under  General  Yan  Doniy  20,000.  Killed^  180;  wounded^  450. 

A sniiiTED  engagement  occurred  at  Spring  Hill,  near  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  March  6th.  General  Coburn,  with  three  regiments  of  infan- 
try and  500  cavalry,  advanced  on  Spring  Hill  the  4th  inst.  Several 
brisk  skirmishes  occurred  during  the  day,  the  Unionists  camping 
four  miles  distant.  On  the  6th,  a movement  was  apparent ; and 
during  some  temporary  confusion  on  Coburn’s  left,  the  rebels  sud- 
denly opened  with  three  batteries,  on  dilferent  points,  at  the  same 


203 


Port  Hudson^  La. 

moment  They  also  appeared  on  each  flank,  in  greatly  superior 
force. 

The,  unequal  contest  was  maintained  with  great  obstinacy  and 
heavy  loss  on  both  sides,  but  finally  resulted  disastrously  to  the 
Union  troops.  A large  number  of  prisoners  was  taken  by  the 
enemy ; the  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  also  considcr.ablo.  The 
Federal  troops  exhibited  great  bravery ; but  thoir  ammunition 
failing,  they  wore  overpowered  by  superior  numbers. 


PORT  HUDSON,  LA. 

March  14,  1863. 

Uhionnavat  forcc^  under  Admiral  Farragut^  fifteen  vef^se.U— including  eight  mor* 
tar  vefifiels  under  the  immediate  command  of  Commander  Cakhcell,  Killed^ 
'teounded.,  and  mining.  65. 

DLmnioniaU.,  under  Ceneral  Gardner.,  about  6,000.  not  reported. 

Makoh  14th,  a naval  expedition  under  Admiral  Farragut  moved 
upon  Fort  Hudson  in  order  to  cut  otT  the  rebel  supplies  from  above 
that  point.  Simultaneously  the  Army  of  the  Southwest,  under  Gen- 
eral Banks,  made  a feint  of  a corresponding  movement,  so  as  to 
create  a diversion,  while  the  fleet  forced  its  way  up  the  river. 

The  admiral’s  own  fleet  comprised  the  flag-ship  Hartford,  tlie  Gen- 
esee, Richmond,  Mississippi,  Monongahela,  Albatross,  and  Kineo. 
The  mortar  fleet,  under  Coniniander  Caldwell,  consisted  of  the  iron- 
clad Essex,  the  gun-boot  Sachem,  and  six  schooners.  On  the  night 
of  the  13th  the  mortar  vessels  proceeded  to  within  shelling  dis- 
tance of  the  rebel  batteries,  and  the  Admiral’s  fleet  advanced  for 
action  about  ten  o’clock  r.M.  on  the  14th.  From  the  shore  oppo- 
site Port  Hudson  the  enemy  were  apprised  by  signals  of  the  approach 
of  the  fleet,  and,  as  soon  as  the  Hartford  came  within  range  of  the 
batteries,  they  opened  a rapid  lire  upon  her.  She  res])ondcd  with 
n broadside,  and  kept  up  a tempest  of  shot  and  shell  till  she  was 
beyond  the  range  of  the  batteries.  The  Richmond,  following  next 
m order,  passed  the  batteries;  when  a shot  penetrated  her  steam 
chest,  crippling  her  for  the  time,  and  compelling  her  to  drift  down 
stream.  The  loss  on  board  the  Richmond  was  three  killed  and  ten 
wounded.  The  Genesee,  which  was  lashed  alongside  the  Richmond, 
found  herself  unable  to  stem  the  current  with  her  consort  in  tow,  and 
was  hence  headed  down  stream.  Next  in  lino  of  battle  were  the 
Monongahela  and  Kineo.  Owing  to  the  smoke  that  enveloped  the 
flag-ship,  it  was  found  almost  impossible  to  follow  her  leader- 


204 


JSrentwood^  Tenn. 


sliip;  and  the  Monongaliela  grounded  under  the  hottest  fire  of  the 
rebel  works,  but  through  the  aid  of  the  Kineo  was  ultimately  res- 
cued from  her  dangerous  position.  Again  becoming  slightly  dis- 
abled, she  was  forced  to  retire  to  the  position  of  the  mortar  fleet. 
The  loss  on  the  Monongaliela  was  ten  killed  and  twenty  wounded. 
The  Mississippi  was  the  last  in  the  conflict.  She  arrived  at  a point 
opposite  the  town  ; but  her  oflicers  were  unable  to  see  through  the 
dense  smoke,  and  she  grounded  opposite  the  terminus  of  the  Port 
Hudson  and  Clinton  Railroad.  The  engines  were  immediately 
reversed,  hut  all  efforts  to  set  her  afloat  were  fruitless.  Captain 
Smith,  finding  she  could  not  be  rescued,  ordered  instant  prepara- 
tion to  save  the  crew  and  destroy  the  ship.  The  sick  and  wounded 
were  placed  on  board  the  Essex,  and  tlio  remainder  of  the  crew 
landed  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river.  The  engines  were  demol- 
ished, and  all  combustibles  upon  the  deck  were  fired.  After  the 
flames  had  swept  through  her  for  an  hour,  greatly  lightening  lier, 
she  gradually  slid  off  into  the  current;  and  her  port  battery  becom- 
ing hcai.ed,  the  frigate  fired  the  minute  guns  over  her  own  grave. 
Seven  of  the  crew  were  taken  by  the  enemy ; the  entire  loss  is  not 
accurately  known,  but  about  thirty  are  supposed  to  have  been 
killed  or  wounded.  The  action  lasted  but  three  hours,  and  its  results 
were  all  that  was  anticipated,  save  the  loss  of  one  vessel. 


BRENTWOOD,  TENN. 

Makoii  25, 18G3. 

Unionists,  under  Generals  Bloodgood  and  O.  C.  Smith,  800.  Killed,  1 J wosind- 
ed,  4 ; prisoners,  300. 

Disunionists,  under  Generals  Wheeler,  Forrest,  and  TT/iartow,  6,000.  Killed  and 
wounded,  10. 

A OAVAI.11Y  force  under  Generals  Wheeler,  Forrest,  and  Wharton 
crossed  the  Ilarpeth  River,  March  25th,  and  attacked  300  Union 
troops  at  Brentwood,  Tenn.  Meeting  with  very  feeble  resistance, 
they  captured  the  garrison,  together  with  all  the  United  States 
stores  at  that  point.  General  Green  Clay  Smith  pursued  a force  of 
the  rebels  and  overtook  them  six  miles  west  of  Brentwood,  where 
he  met  the  entire  force  of  the  enemy,  numbering  5,000,  his  own 
force  not  exceeding  one  tenth  of  that  number.  General  Smith 
succeeded  in  re-eapturing  the  wagons  and  ammunition  ; but  being 
attacked  by  vastly  superior  forces  was  compelled  to  destroy  them. 
When  reinforcements  arrived,  the  enemy  had  decamped. 


.'205 


Somerset,  Ky. 

SOMERSET,  KY. 

March  31,  1863. 

VnionisU^  wndfr  General  Gilmore^  1,300.  Killed^  10  ; wounded^  25. 

IHsunionists^  under  General  Pegramy  2,800.  Killed^  woundedy  and prisonerSy  290. 

The  rebels  liaving  made  serious  raids  in  the  vicinity  of  Lexing- 
ton, Ky.,  General  Gillmore  obtained  permission  from  Burnside  to 
move  to  the  “ front.”  Accordingly  ho  left  headquarters  with  a 
portion  of  his  stall’  March  30th,  and  advanced  immediately  to  the 
vicinity  of  Somerset,  where  it  was  stated  that  a rebel  force  was 
encamped.  Gathering  about  him  a few  scattered  troops,  in  all 
amounting  to  1,300,  he  set  out  March  31st — his  brave  little  army 
firmly  resolved  to  conquer  or  die. 

After  eight  miles’  march  they  came  suddenly  upon  the  outposts 
of  the  enemy,  within  two  miles  of  Somerset.  Skirmishing  imme- 
diately ensued.  The  Unionists  witliout  delay  pushed  on,  and  with 
heroic  courage  drove  them  up  a hill  just  skirting  the  woods.  Hero 
the  enemy  made  a stand,  and  prepared  for  action.  General  Gillmore 
hurriedly  issued  his  orders.  Everything  was  done  promptly.  Rush- 
ing to  the  combat,  the  Unionists  fought  earnestly  for  an  hour;  but 
making  no  decided  impression  upon  the  rebels,  with  mounted  horse- 
men, tlioy  brought  forward  their  artillery.  The  enemy  now  fell 
back,  skirmisliing  as  they  retreated ; and  ranging  themselves  on 
the  south  side  of  Pitman’s  Hill,  again  made  a stand. 

It  w.as  norv  apparent  from  the  bustle  and  confusion  in  the  rebel 
lines  that  formidal)le  preparations  were  being  made  for  resistance. 
Their  guns  were  planted  S('  as  to  sweep  the  road,  two  of  the  pieces 
being  long-ranged  Parrotts.  Apprehensive  of  results,  the  Federal 
troops  marched  up  and  engaged  with  their  two  rifled  pieces ; but 
the  Union  howitzers  could  not  possibly  bo  made  to  reach.  Soon 
after  the  opening  of  the  combat,  a heavy  mounted  force  of  the 
enemy  was  di.scovered,  advancing  toward  Gillmore’s  right,  with 
the  intention  of  gaining  his  rear.  Quickly  observing  this  move- 
ment, he  dispatched  a cavalry  force  to  hold  them  in  check.  The 
fire  on  both  sides  increased  with  great  rapidity,  and  it  became  evi- 
dent that  an  issue  one  way  or  the  other  was  close  at  hand.  The 
enemy  were  superior  in  position  and  numbers,  and  quite  equal  in 
arms.  But  the  Kentucky  and  Ohio  troops,  exasperated  by  the 
recent  depredations  of  the  foe,  fought  with  the  most  desperate  vigor 
and  determination. 

The  Union  general  perceiving  the  situation  of  affairs,  sent  word 
to  the  colonel  of  the  Forty-fifth  Ohio  to  know  if  he  could  take 

10 


20G 


Charleston  Harbor^  S.  C. 


the  heiglita  by  a charge.  He  replied  that  ho  would  feel  them  and 
make  the  attempt;  but  the  undertaking  was  so  hazardous  that  tho 
general  directed  him  to  tarry  a while  longer.  At  this  moment  it 
was  found  that  the  rebels  were  preparing  to  charge  upon  tho  Fed- 
eral artillery.  The  word  therefore  was  instantly  given  to  the 
glorious  Forty-fifth  to  charge ; and  on  they  rushed,  yelling  like 
maniacs,  till  they  reached  a rail-fence;  here  they  crouched  to  tho 
earth,  received  the  enemy’s  fire,  and  swept  on  again  like  a rushing 
torrent.  Tho  rebels  instanlly  recoiled  and  lied  precipitately  down 
the  otlier  side  of  tho  hill,  never  jiausing  in  their  retreat  till  mid- 
night, when  they  reached  tho  banks  of  tho  Cumberland.  Before 
daylight  the  following  morning  they  had  crossed  the  stream  and 
gained  a position  of  safety.  The  exhaustion  of  the  Union  army 
was  too  great  to  permit  of  their  following  the  foe.  400  liead  of 
cattle  were  rescued  from  the  invaders,  quite  a number  of  horses 
were  captured,  and  Pegram  and  his  horde  driven  from  Kentucky 
Boil.  Their  loss  was  about  290.  Tho  Union  loss  was  ten  killed, 
fifteen  wounded,  and  tw'clve  missing. 

^ ^ ^ 

CHARLESTON  HARBOR,  S.  C. 

April  7,  1S63. 

Union  naval  forcCy  under  Admiral  Dupont^  compi'islng  nine  iron-dads ; la7hi 
/orc6y  under  General  Hunter^  numhers  not  given.  Killed^  2 ; wonnded.,  13. 
JUisunionistSy  under  General  Beauregard^  45,000,  {total  garrison  of  Charleston'). 

For  many  months  the  Amci'ican  people,  both  loyal  and  disloyal, 
watched  with  intense  interest  the  progress  of  active  preparations 
for  an  attack  on  Charleston,  and  gladly  hailed  the  dawn  of  the  day 
that  witnessed  the  opening  of  the  bombardment. 

On  the  5th  of  April,  the  iron-clad  fleet,  under  command  of  Rear- 
Admiral  Dupont,  having  previously  sailed  from  Port  Royal,  joined 
the  blockading  vessels  outside  of  Charleston  bar  and  six  miles  dis- 
tant from  Fort  Sumter,  the  special  object  of  the  intended  attack.  In 
the  afternoon  of  tho  same  day  the  bar  was  carefully  buoyed  out,  with 
the  intention  of  crossing  immediately;  but  a high  wind  arose  which 
induced  Admiral  Dupont  to  postpone  the  crossing  till  the  next  day. 
During  the  night  he  issued  his  order  of  battle.  It  was  his  plan  to 
move  tho  iron-clad  squadron  up  the  main  ship  channel,  ignoring 
the  fire  of  the  Morris  Island  batteries,  advance  directly  upon  Sum- 
ter and  engage  its  northern  face  at  a distance  of  600  or  800  yards, 
the  fire  to  be  aimed  at  the  center  embrasures.  At  nine  o’clock  the 


I 


Charlest07i  Harbor^  S,  C.  207 

following  morning  tlio  iron-clads  liad  crossed  the  bar  and  taken 
np  their  position  within  a mile  of  Morris  Island.  A heavy  fog 
shrouded  the  shore  lines,  tlie  guidance  of  which  the  pilots  required 
for  safe  steering.  This  rendered  it  impossible  to  move,  and  again 
the  attack  was  deferred.  The  sun  rose  bright  and  clear  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th ; the  sea  was  undisturbed  by  a ripple,  and  mir- 
rored in  its  i)lacid  bosom  the  azure  of  the  sk}'.  The  liquid  surface 
glistened  in  the  golden  sunlight,  and  sea  birds  dip[)cd  their  wings 
in  the  waters  and  broke  the  silence  with  their  shrill  cries  as  they 
swooped  downward  for  their  prey.  The  attacking  ve.ssels  still  lay 
at  anchor,  awaiting  the  ebb  tide,  which  would  enable  them  to  dis- 
cover the  obstructions  in  the  channel.  At  eleven  o’clock  the  tide 
turned,  and  at  mid-day  the  fleet  weighed  anchor.  The  Meehawken 
led  the  van,  followed  by  the  Passaic,  the  Montank,  the  Patap.sco, 
the  Oatskill,  the  Nantucket,  the  Nahant,  and  the  Keokuk.  Hlowly 
they  moved  up  the  ship  channel.  They  passed  in  easy  range  of 
Fort  Wagner,  but  not  a shot  disputed  their  advance;  they  passed 
the  battery  at  Cumming’s  Point,  still  not  a discharge  was  heard: 
nor  was  the  ominous  silence  broken  till  the  vessels  were  rounding 
to  make  their  entrance  into  the  harbor.  Fort  Sumter  then  opened 
with  her  barbette  guns ; Fort  Moultrie  caught  up  the  loud  refrain ; 
various  batteries  joined  in  the  deafening  chorus;  and  the  iron-clads 
were  encircled  by  a concentr.atcd  fire.  Sheets  of  flame  and  volumes 
of  smoke  extending  from  Morris’  to  Sullivan’s  Island  inaugurated 
the  terrific  cannonade.  A perfect  torrent  of  shot  and  shell  wms 
poured  upon  the  Monitors,  and  at  times  the  striking  of  projectiles 
fairly  wrapped  them  in  countless  spouts  of  water.  , 

The  Monitors  continued  their  way,  keeping  up  a*rapid  and 
vigorous  response  to  the  enemy.  They  passed  the  northeast  face 
of  Sumter;  but  when  they  approached  the  northwest  front,  re- 
garded as  the  vulnerable  part  of  the  fort,  they  encountered  new 
difliculties.  From  the  northeast  angle  of  the  fort,  across  the 
channel  to  Fort  Moultrie,  were  suspended  heavy  nets  and  contri- 
vances of  roping,  so  arranged  as  to  entangle  the  propelling  apparatus 
of  the  vessels,  and  also  connected  with  torpedoes.  The  Weehawken 
fell  into  this  snare ; and  for  a long  time  her  machinery  was  totally 
crippled,  and  she  drifted  with  the  current.  At  length,  after  great 
exertions,  she  extricated  herself.  The  other  vessels  changed  their 
course  and  avoided  the  peril.  Ihiflled  in  this  attempt  to  get  past 
Fort  Sumter,  the  Monitors  sought  another  opening ; but  even  the 
shoal  ground  between  the  fort  and  Cumming’s  Point  was  barred 


208 


Charleston  Ilarhor^  S.  C. 


witli  piles.  In  fact,  tlio  object  of  attack  was  found  to  be  the  apex 
of  a triangle,  tbe  two  sides  of  which  were  iinpenetrnblo  to  the 
vessels,  and  at  the  base  of  which  they  were  exposed  to  a conceiitrio 
fire  from  various  forts.  Thus  foiled  in  their  efforts,  the  only 
alternative  remaining  was  to  retire  or  batter  down  Fort  Sum- 
ter. The  iron-clads  went  resolutely  to  their  work.  The  Keokuk 
steamed  up  to  within  500  yards  of  the  fortress,  while  the  other 
vessels  lay  at  intermediate  distances  between  that  and  800  yards. 
The  Ironsides — the  Admiral’s  flag-ship — had  become  entirely  un- 
manageable, on  account  of  the  currents  and  the  inefficiency  of  its 
rudder;  so  that,  with  the  exception  of  a single  broadside  poured 
into  Fort  Moultrie,  sbe  took  no  part  in  the  bombardment.  The 
rebel  gunners,  finding  her  a fixed  mark,  plied  her  freely  with  shot 
and  shell,  but  inflicted  no  serious  damage.  For  a lialf  hour  the 
cannonading  was  fearfully  grand  in  its  character.  No  less  than  300 
guns,  of  the  heaviest  caliber,  directed  their  fire  upon  the  eight 
assailants  that  had  only  sixteen  guns  with  which  to  respond. 

'i'he  striking  of  the  heavy  missiles  hurled  by  the  rebels  against 
the  sides,  decks,  and  turrets  of  the  Monitors;  the  reverberations 
of  their  own  monstrous  guns;  the  mad  plunging  of  projectiles  into 
the  surrounding  waters  ; the  dense  smoke,  now  hiding  the  forts  and 
batteries,  then  broken  by  sheets  of  flame,  all  conspired  to  render 
the  scene  one  of  grandeur  and  intense  interest.  Language  fails  to 
convey  any  idea  of  the  terrific  fire.  The  Monitors  were  struck 
from  twenty  to  sixty  times  each  ; the  Keokuk  alone  (from  Jier  more 
expo.sed  position)  received  ninety  shots.  Her  turrets  were  repeat- 
edly penetrated,  and  her  bull  showed  nineteen  perforations.  She 
was  only  kept  afloat  by  use  of  the  pump  until  the  following  morn- 
ing, when  she  sunk  on  the  bar  in  eighteen  feet  of  water,  her  colors 
proudly  floating  above  the  wreck.  All  on  board  were  saved.  The 
Passaic  and  Patapsco  were  also  severely  injured ; and  night  coming 
on,  the  Admiral  signaled  the  fleet  to  retire.  The  order  to  cease 
firing  was  given  at  five  o’clock.  It  was  promptly  obeyed;  and  the 
vessels  withdrew  to  the  flag-ship,  leaving  their  mark  behind.  Eleven 
largo  holes,  some  of  them  three  feet  wide,  wore  made  on  the  cast 
face  of  Sumter.  The  klouitors  fired  about  150  rounds ; the  esti- 
mate of  the  rebel  fire  was  twenty  shots  to  one  from  the  assailants. 

The  numerical  weakness  of  the  land  force  rendered  their  direct 
co-operation  in  the  attack  impracticable ; and  the  main  share  of  the 
work,  including  all  the  fighting,  was  done  by  the  navy. 


f 


Franklin^  Tenn. — Vicksburg^  Miss.  209 

FEANKLIN,  TENH. 

April  10,  1863. 

Vnionisti,  under  General  Granger,  numbers  jwi  reported.  Total  loss,  tOO. 
Visunionists,  under  Generals  Van  Dorn  and  Forrest,  15,000.  Killed,  300 ; qther 
losses  not  reported. 

Ai'Uir.  lOtli,  Generals  ‘Wliitcfickl’s,  Crosby’s,  anti  Armstrong’s 
rebel  brigades,  0,000  strong,  under  General  Van  Dorn,  attacked 
Franklin.  They  dashed  into  the  town,  and  held  it  fifteen  minutes, 
when  they  were  driven  out  by  the  Union  troops,  coinmanded  by 
General  Granger.  The  ground  was  hotly  contested,  the  fighting 
continuing  two  hours.  The  rebels  left  behind  them  fourteen  pris- 
oners, and  carried  off  a large  number  of  wounded.  The  Union  loss 
was  three  killed  and  w’ounded,  and  eight  missing. 

Later  in  the  day  a flanking  force  of  rebels  under  General  Forrest 
unexpectedly  came  upon  a body  of  Union  cavalry,  four  miles  east 
of  this  place,  and  another  engagement  of  two  hours’  duration  took 
place.  The  losses  were  much  heavier  than  in  the  first  action.  The 
attack  was  general  and  spirited ; the  rebels,  well  punished  for  their 
temerity,  retired  to  Spring  Hill. 


VICKSBUEG,  MISS. 

April  16  to  22,  1863. 

Union  land  force,  under  General  Grant, from  25,000  to  80,000;  nanal  force,,  under 
Admiral  Porter,  comprising  seven  gun-boats,  with  nine  transports,  etc.  Killed, 
0.  wounded,  3;  missing  12. 

Visunionists,  under  General  Pemberton,  about  47,000.  Losses,  not  reported. 

General  Grant  having  assumed  the  immediate  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Mississippi,  which  was  largely  reinforced,  and  being 
satisfied  tb.at  the  northern  defenses  of  Vicksburg  were  too  strong 
to  be  carried  without  heavy  loss,  turned  his  attention  to  various 
projects  for  removing  his  troops  below  the  city,  or  to  a point 
more  favorable  for  offensive  operations.  The  completion  of  the 
canal  across  the  peninsula  opposite  Vicksburg,  which  General  Wil- 
liams had  begun  the  previous  year,  and  the  opening  of  navigable 
routes  by  the  way  of  Lake  Providence,  Yazoo  Pass,  and  Steel’s 
Bayou,  had  been  attempted  one  after  another  without  success. 
Accordingly  he  determined  to  move  his  army,  by  land,  down  the 
west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  some  seventy  miles;  while  the  gun- 
boat fleet  with  transports  for  crossing  the  river  should  run  past 
the  enemy’s  batteries  at  Vicksburg. 


210 


YicTcsburffj  Miss. 


The  danger  of  running  the  batteries  being  very  great,  and  tlio 
roads  on  the  west  side  in  horrible  condition,  this  was  a difficult  and 
hazardous  expedient ; but  it  seemed  to  bo  the  only  possible  solu- 
tion of  the  problem.  The  execution  of  the  plan,  however,  was 
greatly  facilitated  by  Admiral  Farragut,  who  had  run  two  of  his 
vessels  past  the  batteries  at  Port  Hudson  and  Grand  Gulf,  and 
cleared  the  river  of  the  enemy’s  boats  below  Vicksburg;  and 
finally,  through  the  indomitable  energy  of  the  commanding  gen- 
eral and  the  admirable  dispositions  of  Admiral  Porter,  the  attempt 
was  completely  successful. 

Admiral  Porter’s  fleet,  comprising  seven  gun-boats  and  three 
transports,  passed  the  batteries  at  Vicksburg,  April  16th,  with  the 
loss  of  only  one  transport,  which  was  burnt  and  sunk  while  abreast 
of  the  batteries ; no  lives  were  lost,  most  of  the  crew  being  picked 
up,  while  others  escaped  in  the  yawl.  The  vessels  were  all  of  them 
fair  targets  for  the  enemy,  and  were  exposed  to  a heavy  fire  while 
passing  the  batteries.  Several  of  them  were  repeatedly  struck,  yet 
none  seriously  injured.  The  rebel  shot  was  of  the  heaviest  cali- 
ber; but  no  material  damage  was  inflicted  by  their  coming  on 
board,  beyond  the  smashing  of  the  bulwarks.  The  expedition, 
though  encountering  many  difficulties,  was  eminently  successful. 

The  fortunate  issue  of  this  enterprise  induced  General  Grant  to 
send  12  more  transports  down  the  river,  the  fleet  below  being  ready 
to  receive  them.  Volunteers  were  called  for  to  man  the  transports, 
and  large  numbers  of  men  and  officers  responded  to  the  call  with 
j)atriotic  promptness.  The  night  at  first  seemed  inauspicious  for 
the  undertaking ; the  moon  and  stars  shone  with  such  brdliancy  as 
would  reveal  the  vessels  to  the  wily  foe.  As  the  hours  of  darkness 
waned,  the  sky  became  more  propitious,  the  moon  declined,  a light 
mist  bordered  the  river,  and  the  horizon  was  darkened  with 
heavy  gray  clouds. 

'fhe  blockade  runners  had  moved  out  into  the  stream  at  nine 
o’clock,  and  awaited  a favorable  ojjportunity  for  further  progress. 
The  disappearance  of  the  moon  and  the  rising  of  the  fog  was  the 
signal  for  the  advance ; and  about  midnight  the  first  transport 
moved  opposite  the  uppermost  batteries,  her  engines  motionless 
and  her  wheels  silent  until  she  was  discovered.  Then  the  guns 
bellowed  out  upon  the  humid  air,  and  the  stillness  of  night  was 
broken  by  harsh  discords. 

At  the  first  roar  of  the  lieavy  artillery,  two  large  fights  were 
seen  on  the  peninsula  opposite  Vicksburg,  which  were  at  once 


,)  Rcar-Adiiiinil  U.  S.  N.,  horn  in  riiil:iil('l[)lii;i,  nlionL  1811  ; inslnicted  at  ( 
Naval  Scliool,  Annapolis  ; ontorod  navy  as  inidslii|iinan,  ‘1,  1 8211 ; vrnis-  \ 
I)  ed  in  the  jMcditleTi'anoaii  for  several  years ; lieeaine  passcil-inidsliipinan,  July  ( 

) 3d,  183;'),  and  for  some  years  en”;a;^ed  in  llie  tJoast  Survey;  Taent.,  Feh.  27,  ( 

18-11,  and  ordered  to  IMcditterraiiean  and  afterward  Jlrazil  Sipiadron  ; { 

) assigned  (o  duly  at  Ohservafoiy,  AVasliington,  1 84;") ; took  part  in  the  capture  ; 

of  Vera  th'io^,  jMi'xiean  AVar;  was  ordeicd  to  Naval  llimdezvons.  New  { 

Orleans,  and  thence  to  Coast  Knrvey;  eoimnanded  mail  sieamers  I’ana- 
ina  and  (leorgia,  iS-lD-hd;  Lient.-Comnmnder,  1835,  on  sloreshij)  Snp-  ( 

; I 

\ ply,  and  at  rortsmouth  Navy  Yard  ; Commander  in  18()1 , on  the  I’owhatan,  ; 

] IV' est  Gulf  Blockading  Scpiadron  ; commanded  mortar  fleet,  in  18G2,  below  { 

; New  Orleans  ; cruised  on  Mississippi  River  till  Aug.,  18G2;  ordered  to  the  ( 

:■  James  River,  and  on  Oct.  22,  assignol  to  command  U])per  Mississippi  fleet,  ( 

as  Acting  Rear-vVdmirid  ; co-opi'i'ated  in  the  siege'  of  Vicksburg,  sending  ( 

poitionsof  his  llei't  up  the  rivers  Iribntary  to  the  M ississippi,  atlacking  and  { 

running  the  Vick'sbnrg  batteries,  bombaiding  Grand  Gulf,  llaines’  lllnll,  iV-e.  ( 

Made  Rear-Admiral,  .Inly  1,  1 8G3  ; jeatrolled  the  Mississippi;  took  part  in  ; 

Red  River  I'l.xpedition,  May,  18G-1 ; transferri'd  to  North  ^Vtlantic  yepiadron, 
Nov.  1,18G4;  took  part  in  the  two  attacks  on  Fort  Fisher,  Dec.  18-27 
18G4,  and  Jan.  1 0-lG,  18G.0.  { 


213 


Cape  Girardeau^  Mo. 

recognized  as  a conflagration  arising  from  several  old  buildings  on 
the  point,  which  the  Confederates  had  fired  to  light  up  tlie  Missis- 
sippi. This  action  of  the  enemy  was  anticipated  by  General  Sher- 
man, and  he  had  sent  a handful  of  men,  in  the  morning,  to  the 
upper  part  of  the  strip  of  land  to  destroy  the  houses  in  question  ; 
but  the  rebels  had  a number  of  pickets  there,  wlio  fired  upon  tho 
Union  soldiers  on  their  api)roach,  and  compelled  them,  unartned  as 
they  were,  to  retire.  They  took  no  guns,  because  they  did  not  an- 
ticipate resistance,  and  were  obliged  to  wade  through  sloughs, 
nearly  up  to  their  armpits. 

The  transports  started  fifteen  minutes  from  each  other,  each  one 
running  tho  same  fearful  g.auntlet  of  sliot  and  shell.  Tho  batteries 
continued  sending  iron  missiles  after  the  blockade  runners,  till  they 
were  two  miles  below  the  guns,  so  determined  were  the  enemy 
upon  their  annihilation.  Ever  and  anon  there  would  bo  an  impres- 
sive lull ; then  the  roar  wmuld  deepen  and  the  shells  crash  through 
the  air,  till  the  land  and  water  seemed  to  quiver  with  tho  shock. 
So  the  time  passed  till  near  three  o’clock  in  the  morning.  Vicks- 
burg was  quiet  once  more ; the  rebels  appeared  to  have  fallen 
asleep  ; and  only  the  fires  on  the  peninsula  sent  up  now  and  then 
a lurid  flash  into  the  black  smoko  that  spread  like  a vast  cloud  over 
the  face  of  the  sky. 

The  whole  of  the  twelve  transports  arrived  safely  below  tho  bat- 
teries, April  22d.  The  one  lost  on  tho  16th  was  the  Henry  Olay, 
which  w'as  hurned  and  sunk  while  passing;  no  lives  w'erc  lost; 
most  of  tho  crew  were  picked  up,  others  got  aw.ay  in  tho  yawl. 
The  result  was  completely  satisfactory.  No  one  w'as  killed,  only 
two  wounded,  and  there  were  but  twelve  casualties  in  all. 


CAPE  GIRARDEAU,  MO. 

April  2C,  1S68. 

Unionistfi^  under  General  McKeU^  2,000.  Killed^  6;  unounded^  C. 

under  Ginerol  Marmadiike^  8,000.  Killed  and  ^ooundedy  275. 

Apuil  27th,  General  Marrnadukc,  with  a force  of  8,000  men,  ap- 
proached Cape  Girardeau,  an  inii>ortant  military  post  in  Missouri, 
garrisoned  by  a force  of  2,000  men  under  General  McNeil. 

The  contest  opened  at  ten  o’clock  a.ine.,  a mile  and  a half  from 
the  town,  between  Shelby’s  rebel  brigade  and  the  First  Nebraska 
regiment  of  infantry,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  llaumer.  The  latter 
held  three  regiments  of  rebel  infantry  in  cheek  for  an  hour,  when 


214 


Central  Mississippi. 


he  was  obliged  to  retire  to  the  rear  of  his  batteries.  The  Nebraska 
troops,  under  the  management  of  their  distinguished  leader,  dis- 
played marked  bravery  and  the  skill  of  veterans. 

About  eleven  o’clock  tlie  battle  was  renewed  by  the  artillery 
of  the  respective  forces,  and  raged  without  intermission  till  three 
in  the  afternoon.  The  enemy  at  this  time  retreated  from  the  field, 
and  the  battle  ceased.  Their  artillery  was  posted  on  the  edge  of 
the  woods  and  in  the  roads  leading  to  the  town,  one  mile  beyond 
the  outermost  fort.  The  Union  batteries,  on  the  other  hand,  were 
planted  on  hills  about  a half  mile  beyond  the  fort.  Their  firing 
was  admirable ; and  at  almost  every  discharge,  rebel  horse- 
men fell  to  the  ground.  The  enemy’s  repulse  was  attended  with 
fearful  slaughter ; and  much  credit  is  due  the  commander  of  Cape 
Girardeau  for  its  successful  defense.  The  rebels  expected  by  the 
capture  of  this  important  post  not  only  to  secure  abundant  su|)plic3 
of  provisions  for  their  destitute  men,  but  also  to  raise  the  sinking 
hopes  of  the  Confederacy  which  at  tliis  time  were  sadly  depressed. 


CENTRAL  MISSISSIPPI. 

(UlilERSON^S  RAID,) 

April  17  to  Mat  2,  13G3. 

Unionists^  under  Colonel  Grierson.,  about  2,000.  Losses  small — numbers  not  re- 
ported. 

Disunionists,  in  several  bodies,  under  vaHous  leaders.  Killed  and  ucyunded,not 
reported  ; ^)mwiera,  1,000. 

Befoue  General  Grant  left  the  north  side  of  Vicksburg,  to  assume 
the  direction  of  his  army  in  person,  ho  resolved  to  intercept  the 
enemy’s  communications  with  that  city,  in  order  to  secure  his  troops 
against  attack  in  the  rear,  should  investment  of  the  place  become  nec- 
essary. Accordingly  he  detailed  Colonel  Grierson’s  cavalry  brigade 
for  this  duty.  April  lYth,  they  set  out  from  l.a  Grange,  Tcnn.,  and 
reached  Baton  Kouge,  La.,  on  Saturday,  May  2d,  performing  the 
entire  journey  in  fifteen  days.  They  made  a zigzag  course  through 
the  State,  constantly  pushing  southward ; and  as  tliey  advanced 
through  the  heart  of  Mississippi,  burned  bridges,  raili-oad  depots, 
engines,  cars,  and  stores  of  alt  kinds,  in  immense  quantities. 

Their  route  embraced  a breadth  of  more  than  twenty  miles;  and 
everything  available  to  the  enemy,  that  fell  in  their  w.ay,  was  mer- 
cilessly destroyed.  The  telegraph  was  also  repeatedly  cut;  and  so 
rapid  and  mysterious  were  their  movements  that  the  rebels  were 


215 


Grand  Gulf,  Miss. 


still  bewildered  with  surprise  when  an  advance  courier  announced 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Baton  Rouge  that  a brigade  of  cavalry  from 
General  Grant’s  army  had  cut  their  way  through  the  country,  and 
were  witliin  five  miles  of  the  city.  Averaging  over  fifty  miles  a 
day,  a distance  of  800  miles  was  accomplished  in  fifteen  days. 
During  one  part  of  the  march,  tlicy  traveled  eighty  miles  in 
twenty-eight  hours,  three  times  encountered  the  enemy,  burned 
two  bridges,  tore  up  a considerable  length  of  railroad  track,  and 
sw'am  two  streams. 

The  perilous  and  excessively  fatiguing  march  of  this  band  of 
heroes  will  be  remembered  as  a most  remarkable  event  in  human 
warfare.  A number  of  the  enemy  were  killed  and  wounded,  over 
four  million  dollars’  worth  of  property  destroyed,  all  communica- 
tions with  the  rebels  at  Vicksburg  cut  off,  and  1,000  prisoners 
and  1,200  horses  captured.  Besides,  all  railroad  communications 
with  the  enemy’s  strongholds  on  the  Mississippi  were  intercepted, 
and  a large  amount  of  stores,  highly  valuable  to  the  rebels  in  a 
military  point  of  view,  was  destroyed.  The  total  loss  to  the  Con- 
federacy has  been  estimated  as  high  as  six  million  dollars. 

The  expedition,  important  as  it  was  successful,  reflects  great 
credit  on  all  engaged  in  it. 


■ 

GRAND  GULF,  MISS. 

. ArRiL  29,  1803. 

Union  naval  force.,  under  Admiral  Porter.,  comisting  of  seven  gumhoats.  Kill- 
ed., 2G ; icounded.,  54. 

Pisunionisis,  under  Colonel  Wade;  numbers  and  losses,  not  reported. 

Admiual  Poi’.TER,  with  the  same  fleet  that  j)assed  and  shelled 
Vicksburg  a few  days  earlier,  attacked  the  batteries  at  Grand 
Gulf  on  the  29th  of  April,  for  the  purpose  of  m.aking  that  place  a 
base  for  the  movements  of  General  Grant.  On  the  28th  Inst.,  at  ten 
o’clock  in  tlie  morning,  the  flotilla  had  weighed  anchor,  and  with 
seven  transports  and  six  barges  loaded  ahnost  to  the  water’s  edge 
and  swarming  with  soldiers,  moved  slowly  down  the  river.  The 
Forest  Queen  held  its  way  in  front,  the<i  came  the  Harrison,  then 
the  Moderator.  The  rest  of  the  fleet  delayed  a little,  but  shortly 
moved  on.  The  sky  was  cleai'  and  the  sun  shone  brightly  upon  the 
waves  that  sported  in  the  glad  light  of  day.  The  cheers  of  tho 
soldiers  rang  out  upon  the  air,  and  blended  with  tho  national  mel- 
odies that  came  faintly  and  far  across  tho  water. 


216 


Grand  Gulf,  ATiss. 


A trip  of  twenty  miles  brought  them  within  a little  distanee  of 
Grand  Gulf,  and  in  full  view  of  its  grim  front.  Examining  the 
defiant  fortre.ss  with  a glass,  a long  line  of  earth-works  was  dis- 
tinetly  seen  frowning  formidably  upon  the  approaehing  fleet. 

April  29th,  the  gun-boats  were  ready  betimes.  The  Lafayette 
lead  the  van ; tlieu  followed  the  Tuscumbia,  Benton,  and  Louis- 
ville. The  Lafayette  took  position  close  to  the  Louisiana  shore, 
and  began  firing  at  long  range,  kleantime  the  other  boats  pushed 
directly  iiito  the  teeth  of  the  enemy’s  batteries.  The  effect  of  the 
cannonading  was  only  seen  in  the  disturbance  of  the  sand.  Far- 
ther down  the  river  all  was  obscured  in  sulphurous  smoke.  After 
a sharp  encountej-,  all  the  gun-boats  except  the  Lafayette  dropped 
down  beyond  the  point  to  engage  the  lower  batteries.  It  soon  be- 
came evident,  however,  that  the  works  could  not  bo  reduced  by 
the  navy  ; and  as  it  was  im[)ossiblo  for  Grant's  troops  to  be  landed 
above  the  fortification,  it  was  determined  to  march  them  a mile  and 
a half  across  the  j)eninsnla,  to  the  kli.ssissippi,  below  the  enemy, 
and  run  the  blockade  with  the  transports. 

Borne  time  elapsed  before  the  transports  were  under  way,  as  they 
were  obliged  to  proceed  some  distance  up  the  river,  in  order  to  get 
into  position.  The  shadowy  shore  slij)ped  swiftly  by,  and  they  were 
soon  in  full  sweep  of  the  rebel  batteries.  Language  is  inadequate 
to  portray  the  scene  that  followed.  Hillside,  shore,  and  gun-decks 
are  bellowing  and  disgorging  flame.  Above,  around,  everywhere, 
shells  are  crashing,  tearing,  shrieking  like  demons.  The  curtain 
that  vails  the  life  beyond  seemed  rent  in  twain,  as  they  stood  in 
those  rifts  of  death  and  beheld  their  doom.  At  last  the  ordeal  of 
flame  is  past,  and  the  transports  glide  out  of  the  wild  chaos  of 
smoke  and  clamor  into  serene  moonlight.  The  signal-lights  burn- 
ing red,  white,  and  blue  beckon  from  below  and  point  to  the  land- 
ing. Cheer  after  cheer  wpnt  up  from  ten  thousand  voices,  and 
awakened  responsive  echoes  along  the  shore.  The  passage  was 
almost  a comi)!eto  Success.  Not  a man  among  the  transports  was 
injured  under  the  full  fire  of  eighty  guns  and  within  a few  hundred 
yards. 

The  loss  to  the  naval  force  during  the  bombardment  was  twenty- 
six  killed  and  fifty-four  wounded. 


219 


Port  Gibson^  Miss. 


PORT  GIBSON,  MISS. 

Mat  1,  1863. 

UnionifiU.,  under  General  Grant.,  not  far  from  25,000.  Killedy  130  ; woundedy  T18  ; 
mUHng^  5. 

Disunionisis^  under  General  BowcUy  12,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  1,150;  prU^ 
oners,  600. 

April  30tli,  General  Grant  crossed  tlie  Mississippi,  at  Brnins- 
burg,  with  tliree  corps  d'armce  and  moved  directly  niion  Port 
Gibson.  Advancing  to  within  four  miles  of  that  jioint,  he  there 
encountered  a rebel  force,  12,000  strong,  at  two  o’clock  a.m.,  May 
1st.  As  the  advance  of  Grant’s  array  moved  near  the  place,  they 
were  accosted  by  a light  fire  of  rebel  musketry,  followed  at  a short 
interval  by  a brisk  attack  with  field  artillery.  The  Union  troops 
at  once  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  their  batteries  kept  up  a 
vigorous  response  to  the  enemy’s  fire.  After  a brief  but  spirited 
action,  the  guns  of  the  latter  were  silenced.  The  Federal  force  then 
withdrew  beyond  range,  and  awaited  daylight. 

At  dawn,  tlie  contest  was  reopened  by  ordering  the  ninth  divi- 
sion of  Grant’s  army  to  the  road  on  the  lefc.  The  first  brigade, 
while  hurrying  to  obey  the  order,  met  a large  body  of  the  rebels, 
at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  d’he  latter  held  a strong  j)Osition  ; 
but,  after  a severe  struggle,  of  an  hour’s  duration,  were  forced  to 
yield  it. 

The  ninth  division,  embracing  only  two  brigades,  pressed  for- 
ward; but  the  route  was  so  obstructed  that  it  became  ajiparent,  if 
a front  attack  should  be  made,  it  would  terminate  in  disaster  to  the 
Federal  troops.  Accordingly  a flank  movement  was  decided  upon ; 
and  by  a daring  assault  upon  the  right,  the  Unionists  carried  the 
rebel  works  and  completely  routed  their  antagonists. 

The  following  morning,  May  2d,  the  thirteenth  army  corps 
triumphantly  entered  Port  Gibson  ; through  which  place,  and  across 
the  south  branch  of  the  Bayou  Pierre,  the  rebels  had  fled  in  the 
night,  burning  the  bridge  across  that  stream  in  their  rear.  Gene- 
ral Grant  rebuilt  the  bridge  and  pursued  the  retreating  foe. 


220 


Chancellorsville,  etc.^  Fa. 


CHANCELLORSVILLE,  ETC.,  VA. 

May  1 TO  4,  1808. 

Unionists,  und&r  General  /looker,  about y 100,000.  Killedy  xcounded^  and  missinq. 
variously  reported  at  from  10.000  to  15,000  ; the  number  oj  prisonersy  said  to  be 
not  over  1,700. 

Disunion isis.  under  General  Lee.  probably  about  90,000.  Killed  and  wounded 
{as  estimated  by  General  /looker),  18,000  ; prisoners^  6,000. 

On  the  26th  of  January,  1863,  General  Burnside  was  relieved 
of  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  at  his  own  request, 
and  General  Hooker  was  api)ointed  in  his  stead.  Tlie  delay  inci- 
dent to  the  reorganization  of  tlie  army,  and  the  hindrances  occa- 
sioned by  the  impracticable  condition  of  the  roads  during  the  early 
part  of  spring  prevented  the  opening  of  a new  campaign  until 
near  the  close  ot  April.  From  about  the  middle  of  the  month, 
however,  orders  to  advance  had  been  constantly  expected ; but, 
day  after  day,  the  troops  were  kept  waiting  in  their  camps,  until 
the  succession  of  storms  then  prevailing  should  cease,  and  the  seas 
of  mud  which  rendered  the  roads  nearly  impassable  should  be  at 
least  jjartially  dried. 

At  length  the  preliminaries  for  an  immediate  movement  began. 
On  the  20th  inst.,  two  divisions  were  sent  down  the  Ilappahannock 
twenty  miles,  to  Port  Conway,  and  ordered  to  build  an  immense 
number  of  fires  at  night,  to  give  the  idea  that  a large  force  was 
there  for  the  purpose  of  crossing.  The  ruse  succeeded,  and  a great 
part  of  the  rebel  army,  under  Stonewall  Jackson,  burned  down  to 
the  opposite  bank  to  guard  against  the  anticipated  movement.  The 
Lulk  of  the  Union  divisions  was  then  withdrawn  ; but  the  fires  were 
assiduously  kept  up  each  night  by  the  remainder. 

On  Monday,  the  27th,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  the  elev- 
enth, twelfth,  and  fifth  corps,  under  the  command,  respectively, 
of  Generals  Howard,  Slocum,  and  Meade,  struck  their  tents  and 
marched  westward  on  the  several  roads  leading  to  Kelly’s  Ford. 
The  crossing  of  the^river  was  reached  by  the  advance  at  eleven 
o’clock  the  following  day.  Detachments  of  two  regiments  were 
pushed  across  the  stream,  and  the  small  picket  force  of  the  enemy 
on  the  opposite  side  was  quickly  dispersed.  DPoiitoon  bridges  were 
than  laid — General  Hooker  superintending  the  work  in  person; — ■ 
and  early  in  the  evening  the  eleventh  corps  commenced  passing 
over. 

The  same  day,  in  order  to  create  a diversion  in  favor  of  the  troops 
at  Kelly’s  Ford  and  to  aid  in  carrying  out  the  general  plan,  three 


JOSEPH  HOOKER, 


'{  ,A[!ijor-Gcii.  Vols.,  13'vt.  j\htj.-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  born  at  JIadloy,  Jtlass.,  1815,  grail-  ! 
; natcd  at  West  Point  in  18;}7,  28tli  in  a class  of  51 ; Secoiul-Licul.  1st  Artil- 

) lery,  1837  ; Firet-Lieut.,  Nov.,  1838  ; Adjutant  at  Military  Acadciny  and  of  i 

j Ids  Eeg't,  1841-4G  ; in  battles  of  Monterey,  Sept.  21-23,  ’4G  ; Marcli  3d,  1847,  ! 

! Ass’t-Adjt.-Gen. ; brevetted  IMajor  and  Lieut.-Gol.,  for  National  J?ridgc  and  ( 

i Chapultepcc  ; Capt.  1st  Artillery,  LT.  S.  A.,  and  A.  A.  G.,  Oct.  29,  ’48.  In  ( 

j 1853,  resigned.  In  18C1,  came  from  California  ; appointed  ]>rig.-Gcn.  Yols.,  ; 

■|  17tli  Maj', ’Gl.  Commanded  in  Pastern  ^Maryland  ; commanded  a Division  ( 

i atYorklown;  fouglit  at  Williamsburg,  i\Iay  5,  Fair  Oaks,  l\Iay  31 , Gaines’  ( 

) Mill,  June  27,  and  the  subseipient  battles  of  the  Heveii  Days.  Major-<Ien.  } 

■:  Vols.,  July  4,  ’G2  ; in  the  cngsrgcments  before  4Vasliington,  Aug.  27  to  Sept.  ( 

i 1 ; at  South  Mountain,  Sept.  14;  Antietain,  where  ho  was  seriously  wound-  ; 

i cd  Sept.  17.  llrig.-Gcn.  U.  S.  A.,  Sept.  20,  ’C2  ; at  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  ■ 

13,  in  the  last  three  battles  commanding  a corps  ; .fan.  2G,  18G.3,  assigned  to 
command  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  ; fought  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  ; 
i\Iay  2-5, ’G3 ; repulsed;  was  relieved  of  the  command  while  marching  to- 
wards Gettysburg,  June  2G,  ’G3 ; sent  to  reinforce  Posecrans  in  Sept.,  ’G3  ; 

■ fought  the  battle  of  AVauhatchie,  Oct.  28;  battle  “aliove  the  clouds”  on 

Ixjokout  Mt.,  Nov.  25  ; took  part  in  Sherman's  Atlanta  campaign  ; resigned 
his  command  about  July  31  ; apjiointcd  soon  after  to  the  command  of  North-  \ 

; ern  Department,  Ohio,  &c. ; June  27,  ’G5,  appointed  to  Dep't  of  the  Past. 


r; 


Chancellor sville^  etc..,  Va. 


223 


otlicr  army  corps,  tlio  first,  tliiixl,  and  sixth,  commanded  re- 
spectively by  Generals  Reynolds,  Sickles,  and  Sedgwick,  aban- 
doned their  camps  and  marched  to  a point  on  the  Rappahan- 
nock, about  three  miles  below  Fredericksburg.  Here,  favored  by 
the  evening  mist  which  curtained  the  river  like  a thick  pall,  they 
surprised  and  captured  the  enemy’s  pickets  and  reserves  on  tho 
opposite  bank  ; and  at  daylight  on  Wednesday  morning  the  aston- 
ished rebels  posted  a little  distance  off  beheld  two  complete  pon- 
toon bridges  connecting  the  hostile  shores.  A third  bridge  was 
afterward  constructed  near  the  same  point.  Two  miles  farther 
down,  another  bridge,  still,  had  been  thrown  across  the  stream  • 
although  the  first  corps,  in  haying  tho  same,  had  encountered  a 
sharp  but  brief  opposition.  Portions  of  the  first  and  sixth  corps 
immediately  '•rossed  over  and  took  ])osition  on  tho  south  side  of 
the  river ; while  tho  rest  staid  on  tho  north  side,  and  the  third 
corps  remained  a little  distance  back  from  the  river,  behind  tho 
hills,  in  easy  supporting  distance. 

At  this  time  the  second  corps,  under  General  Couch,  took  posi- 
tion at  Banks’  Ford,  five  or  six  miles  above  Fredericksburg,  where 
they  awaited  further  orders.  Here  they  were  subsequently  joined 
by  the  third  corps ; when  both  moved  about  four  miles  farther  up 
the  river  to  Dnited  States  Ford,  and  crossing  over,  proceeded  to 
efl’ect  a Junction  with  the  three  corps  which  had  before  crossed  at 
Kelly’s  Ford.  The  latter,  advancing  in  a southeasterly  direction 
toward  the  Rapid.an,  h.ad  passed  this  stream  at  Germania  and  Ely’s 
fords,  and  continued  their  march  to  the  vicinity  of  CnANCELLons- 
TiLLK,  about  nine  miles  west-southwest  from  Fredericksburg. 

Here,  then,  on  Friday  noon,  klay  1st,  the  entire  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  except  the  two  corps  holding  the  bridges  and  their  ap- 
proaches below  Fredericksburg,  and  a body  of  cavalry  dispatched 
to  cut  tho  enemy’s  communications,  was  at  length  concentrated; 
the  enemy’s  left  had  been  turned  by  a flank  movement  in  force,  and 
an  important  position  gained  in  his  rear — thus  rendering  his  formi- 
dable works  behind  Fredericksburg,  the  assault  of  which  had  cost 
Burnside  so  dearly  in  December,  comparatively  worthless.  More- 
over, the  communication  of  the  rebel  .army  with  Gordonsville  was 
thre.atened — that  being  its  only  line  of  retreat  in  case  the  body  of 
cavalry  sent  out  for  tho  purpose  succeeded  in  destroying  tho  bridges 
over  the  North  Anna  and  South  Anna  rivers — and  it  would  bo 
compelled  to  fight  its  opponents  on  ground  chosen  by  the  Federal 
commander. 


li 


fm„ 

m 


224 


Chancellor sville^  etc.,  T^. 

The  advantage  afforded  by  the  latter  circumstance  was  of  the 
ntmost  importance.  Chancellorsville  stands  upon  high  ground  in 
the  midst  of  a cleared  and  cultivated  plain  about  a mile  square. 
It  is  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  rough  and  broken  land  cut  by 
numerous  deep  ravines  and  covered  for  the  most  part  with  heavy 
timber  and  tangled  undergrowth.  Its  elevation  enabled  its  posses- 
sor to  command  the  country  on  all  sides;  while  no  accessible  point 
was  left,  upon  which  the  enemy  could  bring  artillery  to  bear  on  it. 
It  could  bo  taken  only  by  direct  assault;  and  from  this  species  of 
attack,  General  Hooker  felt  that  he  had  little  to  fear. 

Up  to  this  time  there  had  been  no  fighting,  save  the  slight  skir- 
mishing which  took  place  at  the  seizure  of  the  fords  on  the  Rappa- 
hannock and  Rapidan.  The  enemy  had  not  deigned  to  show  him- 
self in  any  direction,  and  it  was  doubtful  where  and  how  soon  he 
might  be  encountered.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  command- 
ing general  dispatched  reconnoitering  parties  to  ascertain  if  the 
rebels  w'ere  in  force  and  position  anywhere  in  tlie  vicinity.  Strong 
lines  of  picket^  were  also  thrown  out,  completely  encircling  the 
Union  position,  and  every  effort  was  made  to  guard  against  surprise. 

About  two  o’clock,  the  foe  was  discovered  advancing  in  force 
by  the  plank  road  from  the  south  and  the  turnpike  road  from  the 
southeast.  Disposition  was  at  once  made  to  meet  him,  at  what- 
ever point  the  attack  might  fall.  The  foremost  line  of  the  Union 
army,  at  this  time,  was  drawn  up  nearly  in  a semicircle,  with  the 
center  fronting  the  southeast  and  lying  a little  beyond  Chancellors- 
ville (which  consists  merely  of  a single  riansion-house  and  prom- 
ises, with  a few  out-buildings),  where  General  Hooker’s  head- 
quarters were  established. 

The  rebels  were  first  encountered  by  the  skirmishers  of  Sykes’ 
division  of  regulars.  The  main  body  of  the  latter  was  formed  in 
the  open  field  directly  on  the  slope  southeast  of,  and  scarcely  a 
quarter  of  a mile  from,  the  Chancellorsville  mansion  ; and  imme- 
diately behind  them,  on  the  extreihe  elevation  of  the  plain,  were 
three  batteries  of  artillery.  In  compliance  .with  their  orders,  the 
skirmishers  gradually  fell  back  upon  the  main  line.  This  maneuver 
drew  the  enemy  out  of  the  woods,  from  which  they  emerged  close 
after  their  opponents,  yelling  and  shouting  like  a horde  of  savages. 
For  a brief  interval  the  Unionists  remained  inactive,  gazing  calmly 
at  the  approaching  foe.  But  the  charge  they  were  to  meet  was  no 
trifling  onset;  and  as  column  after  column  and  line  after  lino  came 
dashing  out  of  the  woods,  it  seemed  as  if  that  single  division 


Cliancellorsville,  etc.,  Va. 


225 


stationed  there  to  hold  them  in  check  must  inevitably  he  swallowed 
up.  The  movement  was  one  of  those  skillful  maneuvers  for  which 
General  Lee  was  distinguished — the  hurling  of  an  immense  body 
of  troops  against  a small  force  of  his  antagonists.  The  rebel  masses 
outnumbered  their  opponents  three  to  one.  But  the  latter  showed 
no  disposition  to  quail ; and  at  the  word  every  soldier  brought  his 
musket  to  his  shoulder  and  five  thousand  bullets  sped  wdth  the 
wings  of  lightning  into  the  rebel  lines.  The  foo  was  unprepared 
for  such  steadiness.  The  sudden  thinning  of  their  ranks  amazed 
and  alarmed  them?  The  front  ranks  staggered  back,  discharged 
their  pieces  recklessly,  and  broke  in  confusion.  But  flight  was  im- 
possible. The  heavy  columns  that  bore  them  up,  and  before  which 
they  had  formed  but  a sheltering  bulwark,  were  impenetrable. 
Tlicy  opened  only  to  absorb  the  front  rank  in  the  second,  and  still 
pressed  on. 

Meantime  the  Federal  troops  had  reloaded  their  pieces,  and 
simultaneously  a volley  was  fired  by  both  combatants.  Then  from 
the  crest  of  the  slope  beyond,  the  Union  artillery  opened  with  can- 
ister and  grape,  scattering  destruction  and  disorder  through  the 
ranks  of  the  foe.  The  word  was  given  to  the  infantry  on  both 
sides  to  “fire  at  will;”  and  the  continuous  roar  of  musketry  that 
followed  almo.st  deadened  the  re])oi  ts  of  the  cannon.  It  was  the 
first  fight  of  the  great  b.attlo;  and  for  nearly  twenty  minutes  each 
party  stood  firm,  as  if  nothing  should  force  them  to  yield  the  pres- 
tige of  a first  success  to  the  other.  But  although  the  Federal  force 
was  outnumbered,  it  had  the  advantage  in  the  support  of  artillery, 
which,  while  the  infantry  held  the  foe  in  check,  opened  huge  gaps 
in  his  struggling  ranjis.  Still  the  rebels  yelled,  and  shouted  defi- 
ance, and  dashed  ‘^impetuously  forv.’ard.  Bank  after  rank  was 
swept  away,  or  hurled  back  in  confusion ; while  the  officers 
stormed  and  cursed,  in  their  vain  efforts  to  rally  them.  Yet  the 
enemy  fonghtwcll,  fought  as  only  the  most  gallant  can  fight.  But 
with  musketry  alone,  they  could  not  breast  the  storm  that  beat 
against  them.  Ne.arly  half  their  column  had  been  placed  /lors  du 
combat,  and  then  the  order  to  retire  was  reluctantly  given. 

The  heroic  division  of  regulars  was  sadly  thinned  and  broken  ; 
but  an  undaunted  host  was  still  left  to  send  up  a shout  of  triumph 
that  made  the  woods  ring  with  the  echo.  Even  the  wounded 
joined  in  the  glad  cheer,  many  of  them  staggering  into  an  upright 
position  and  throwing  up  their  hats  in  an  excess  of  joy. 

The  enemy  were  flying.  Pursuit  was  now  the  order.  The 


226 


ClLancellorsville,  etc..  Fa, 

Unionists  dashed  forward  cheerfully.  The  enemy  gained  the  cover 
of  the  timber,  and  attempted  to  make  another  stand ; hut  demor- 
alized by  their  repulse,  they  were  unable  to  resist  the  determined 
onset.  At  the  first  volley  they  fled  again  in  dismay.  For  more 
than  a mile  they  were  closely  pursued,  making  frantic  efforts,  at 
intervals,  to  hold  their  ground,  but  as  often  driven  thence  in  utter 
rout.  At  length  as  the  pursuers  were  ascending  a hillside,  a second 
and  most  formidable  line  of  rebels  was  discovered.  Against  this 
fresh  force,  and  at  a distance  from  support,  it  was  madness  to  con- 
tend. The  order  was  therefore  given  to  retire.* 

As  the  brave  column  turned  to  retrace  its  steps,  the  enemy  pre- 
pared to  give  chase.  But  the  Unionists  promptly  faced  about  and 
poured  into  them  a steady  fire.  Such  fortitude  was  unexpected, 
and  the  rebels  wisely  concluded  to  abandon  their  intention. 

Immediately  at  the  close  of  this  affiiir,  it  became‘Tlpparent  that 
Lee  was  arranging  a grand  rcconnoissance  to  ascertain  the  weakest 
point  of  the  Federal  lines.  Approaching  by  an  unexposed  way, 
and  massing  his  troops  in  the  woods  in  front  of  the  right  center, 
where  the  twelfth  corps,  commanded  by  General  Slocum,  was  drawn 
up,  lie  suddenly  came  down  upon  it  like  an  avalanche.  It  was  a 
rapid  and  somewhat  unexpected  movement;  but  the  twelfth  corps 
met  the  shock  firmly,  and  with  a few  volleys  sent  the  rebels  reel- 
ing back  to  the  woods.  Soon  after,  the  eleventh  corps,  forming  the 
right  of  the  semicircle,  became  slightly  engaged ; but  the  affiiir 
terminated  with  mere  picket  skirmishing  and  a little  artillery  firing. 

At  dawn,  on  Saturday  morning,  the  enemy  was  plainly  seen 
moving  his  trains  westward  on  the  road  south  of  Chancellorsville, 
leading  to  Orange  Court  House.  General  Slocum  thereupon 
was  ordered  to  push  his  lino  forward  toward  the  rebel  line  of 
battle  whicllintervened  on  the  plank  road  running  southward  from 
Chancellorsville ; while  General  Sickles,  commanding  the  third 
corps,  stationed  on  Slocum’s  right,  was  directed  to  advance  and 
occupy  the  road  on  which  the  enemy’s  trains  were  passing.  The 
westward  movement  of  the  rebels  had  been  observed  and  reported, 
by  scouts  and  advanced  pickets  as  early  as  midnight,  and  now  that 
it  had  continued  for  some  hours,  it  was  General  Hooker’s  purpose 
to  break  through  the  moving  column,  thus  dividing  the  rebel  line 
and  securing  an  advantage  which  would  probably  give  certain 
victory. 

General  Geary’s  division  of  Slocum’s  corps  moved  down  upon 
the  plank  road,  till  it  came  upon  the  enemy’s  rifle-pits;  fronr 


BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLORSVILLE 


229 


Chancellor sville^  etc.,  Va. 


■which  the  new  regiments  composing  it  were  repulsed,  and  with- 
drawing a short  distance,  in  good  order,  engaged  the  enemy  till 
General  "Williams  moved  his  division  on  the  right  and  outflanked 
the  position.  Meanwhile,  Birney  and  Whipple,  of  Sickles’  corps, 
advanced  on  Slocum’s  right,  and  seized  the  road  to  Orange 
Court  House.  General  Whipple’s  right  being  somewhat  exposed, 
Barlow’s  brigade  of  Howard’s  corj)S  (the  eleventh)  was  pushed 
forward  to  |)rotect  it. 

It  was  now  about  five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  thus  far  all 
the  movements  undertaken  had  been  successfully  executed;  the 
progress  of  the  rebel  trains  had  been  interrupted,  and  the  enemy’s 
line  divided  according  to  General  Hooker's  plan.  Suddenly  a most 
firm  and  heavy  charge  was  made  on  the  right  and  rear  of  Howard’s 
corps,  forming  the  right  wing  of  the  Union  army.  Regiments, 
brigades,  and  divisions  broke  and  fled  in  terrible  confusion  ; one 
brigade  alone  fought  bravely,  until  to  attempt  longer  to  hold  its 
position  would  have  been  madness;  then  it  stubbornly  withdrew. 
The  panic  which  had  now  sjiread  through  nearly  the  entire  corps 
■was  indescribable ; General  Howard  bravely  attempted  to  rally  the 
shattered  divisions;  but  his  efforts  were  futile.  On  one  hand 
w.as  a solid  column  of  infantry  retreating  at  double-quick  from 
the  face  of  the  enemy,  who  were  already  crowding  upon  their  rear ; 
on  the  other,  was  a dense  mass  of  beings  .secmitigly  bereft  of  tlicir 
reason,  and  flying  from  a thousand  fancied  dangers  as  well  as  from 
the  real  terrors  which  closely  beset  them.  U[)on  the  neighboring 
hill  were  ten  thousand  focmen  pouring  murderous  volleys  on  the 
fugitives,  and  yelling  and  hooting  to  increase  their  alarm  and  con- 
fusion. Hundreds  of  cavalry  horses,  left  riderless  at  the  first 
sweeping  discharge  of  the  rebel  musketry,  were  dashing  frantically 
in  all  directions.  A score  of  batteries  of  artillery  were  thrown  into 
disorder  by  the  tumultuous  horde ; and  b.attery  wagons,  ambulances, 
horses,  men,  and  caissons  were  jumbled  together  in  an  apparently 
inextricable  mass.  To  add  to  the  terror  of  the  occ.asion,  there  was 
but  one  means  of  escape  frofn  the  field,  and  that  through  a narrow 
neck  or  ravine  washed  out  by  Scott’s  Creek.  Toward  this  the 
confused  mass  jdunged  headlong.  For  a moment  it  seemed  as  if 
no  power  could  ward  off  the  frightful  calamity  that  threatened  the 
entire  army.  That  neck  passed,  and  this  ])anic-stricken,  disordered 
body  of  men  and  animals  permitted  to  make  their  way  through  the 
other  corps  of  the  army,  its  disorganization  and  ruin  were  inevitable. 

But  the  fatal  disaster  was  averted.  Across  the  neck  there  runs 
11 


230 


Chancellorsville,  etc.,  Va. 


a strong  brick  wall,  bcliind  wliicli  Generals  Williams  and  Berry 
liad  already  thrown  tliemselvcs,  prefiaratory  to  meeting  the  enemy. 
At  one  end  of  the  wall  was  the  deeply  sunken  bed  of  the  creek ; 
at  the  other,  a narrow  gateway,  the  only  opening  to  he  found.  This 
gateway  blocked  up,  the  fleeing  artillery  and  cavalry  were  brought 
to  a halt,  and  a portion  of  the  terror-stricken  foot-soldiers  arrested 
in  their  flight,  and  made  to  comprehend  their  situation.  Here 
General  Sickles,  mounted  on  his  foaming  charger,  had  taken  his 
stand,  and  exerted  his  utmost  efforts  to  check  the  wild  stampede. 
Soon  much  of  tlio  artillery  was  properly  manned  and  began  pour- 
ing grape  and  canister  into  the  woods  that  were  filled  with  the 
rebels.  Every  moment  the  effective  force  was  increased ; so  that 
by  the  time  the  unseemly  rout  was  finally  arrested,  at  least 
twenty-five  cannon  were  bearing  directly  upon  the  enemy,  and  at 
60  close  range  that  every  charge  took  effect,  sweeping  down  whole 
ranks.  The  slaughter  here  must  have  been  almost  beyond  count : 
the  heavy  columns  of  the  enemy  literally  thronged  the  woods;  and 
such  an  incessatit  fire  from  so  many  cannon,  and  into  so  dense  a 
mass,  could  not  have  produced  any  ordinary  amount  of  destruction. 
The  casualties  among  the  Unionists,  notwithstanding  their  disor- 
derly stampede,  were  slight.  Thirteen  pieces  of  artillery,  however, 
were  left  to  tlie  enemy;  but  most  of  them,  fortunately,  were 
spiked. 

In  this  affair  the  rebels  lost  their  famous  leader,  Stonewall  Jack- 
son,  who  lieaded  the  desperate  charge.  He  was  struck  by  three 
halls,  aocidentally  received  from  liis  own  men  ; two  of  them  through 
the  left  arm,  the  other  through  the  riglit  hand.  As  he  was  borne 
from  tlie  field,  one  of  the  litter  bearers  was  shot  down,  and  the 
General,  falling  from  the  shoulders  of  liis  supporters,  received  a 
severe  contusion  which  added  much  to  his  previous  injuries.  His 
wounds  proved  mortal ; and  his  subsequent  death,  while  it  excited 
passionate  expressions  of  grief  throughout  the  South,  called  forth, 
everywhere;  tokens  of  respect-and  admiration  for  his  exalted  hero- 
ism and  tiie  unqtiestioned  purity  of  his  private  character. 

The  giving  way  of  the  eleventli  corps  had  changed  the  character 
of  the  entire  conflict;  for,  although  the  pursuit  had  been  checked 
and  the  enemy  terribly  punished,  an  advantage  of  position  liad 
been  lost  by  the  Unionists,  which  could  hardly  be  Vetrieved.  The 
enemy  had  completely  turned  the  Union  right,  and  remaining  in 
its  rear,  compelled  a change  in  the  Federal  lines  so  as  to  front  the 
foe  in  his  new  position,  and  at  the  same  time  to  guard  against 


233 


I 


I 


Chancellorsville,  etc.,  Va. 


assault  from  the  remainder  of  his  troops  in  their  former  place.  The 
Union  army,  therefore,  was  drawn  up  so  as  to  present  three  sides 
of  a square,  with  the  right  wing  facing  tlie  northwest.  The  change 
of  lino  was  effected  partly  during  the  night,  and  was  completed 
at  dawn.  In  the  absence  of  the  sun,  the  moon  shone  brightly 
from  a clear  sky,  and  men  in  battle  could  see  almost  as  well  as 
during  the  day. 

Three  desperate  attacks  were  made  on  Sickles’  lino  in  the  night- 
time, and  were  resisted  with  a degree  of  calm  determination  that 
added  new  honors  to  this  veteran  corps.  The  second  attack,  at 
midnight,  was  one  of  the  fiercest  charges  ever  made  on  the  con- 
tinent; the  roar  of  artillery  is  said  to  have  exceeded  that  at  the 
battle  of  Antietam.  But  Sickles’  troops  held  their  ground  doggedly, 
without  yielding  a single  inch. 

At  daylight  on  Sunday  morning  the  great  battle  which  had  com- 
menced on  Friday  afternoon,  and  had  continued  irregularly  through 
Saturday  and  Saturday  night,  opened  in  terrible  earnest  along  the 
left  and  center.  At  this  time  Slocum’s  corjjS  occu|)icd  its  original 
position,  changed  only  by  the  reflexion  of  'Williams’  division.  AVil- 
liams  stood  like  a w^all  of  fire  against  the  enemy,  until  every  round 
of  ammunition  had  been  exhausted,  and  then  yielded  only  to  fresh 
troops  that  took  his  place.  AVhipple’s  division  of  new  troops,  join- 
ing Williams  on  his  right,  won  a reputation  that  entitled  them  to 
the  companionship  of  veterans.  In  most  of  the  regiments,  an  un- 
usually large  proportion  of  officers  were  wounded.  The  Twelfth 
New  Hampshire  came  out  with  only  one  commissioned  officer  fit 
for  duty.  Next  to  this  division,  Birney  fought ; and  farther  still, 
where  the  battle  raged  liottest,  noble  Berry  fell,  while  urging  his 
troops  forward  in  steady  fight.  Ilere,  too,  occurred  the  brilliant 
charge  of  Mott’s  brigade — a mortal  encounter  with,  and  severe 
repulse  of,  an  advancing  foe.  The  dead  lay  piled  on  the  ground,  ob- 
structing the  progress  of  the  men,  an^l  the  carn.ago  was  terrible 
even  over  the  heaps  of  slain.  The  enemy  w'as  forced  back  to  his 
rifle-pits,  where  he  rallied  and  fought  with  great  obstinacy.  Weary 
W'ith  many  hours  of  hard  fighting,  exhausted  with  hunger,  and 
with  ammunition  expended.  Sickles’  right  withdrew,  and  were  re- 
lieved by  the  third  division  of  Couch’s  (second)  corps. 

French,  moved  by  the  memory  of  his  late  coniniander,  threw 
himself  at  the  head  of  his  troops  .and  descended  on  the  enemy’s 
rifle-pits,  with  a momentum  that  swept  away  the  rebels  like  chaff. 
Fresh  troops  and  reinforcements  were  massed  against  him,  but  ho 


I 


234 


ChanccllorsviUe,  etc.,  Va. 


persisted  in  liolding  Ids  advantage.  ]Iiiin])liroy’.s  division  of  new 
troops  was  sent  to  liis  relief;  the  men  beliuved  with  becoming  cool- 
ness, and  returned  from  the  field  with  exhausted  cartridge-boxes. 
Hancock’s  division  fought  equally  well,  on  the  left,  with  an  obsti- 
nate foe;  until  a second  charge  was  ordered  by  tl;e  commanding 
general. 

From  sunrise  till  eleven  o’clock  a.m.  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the 
rattle  of  musketry  were  almost  incessant.  At  times  the  thunder, 
flash,  and  smoke  rose  to  a pitch  of  grandeur  that  for  a moment 
forced  tlio  observer  to  forget  the  awfulness  of  the  scene  in  tho 
presence  of  its  wonderful  sublimity. 

During  Saturday,  General  Eeynolds  with  tho  first  corps  having 
been  withdrawn  from  the  vicinity  of  the  pontoon  bridges  below 
Fredericksburg,  had  arrived  and  taken  position  on  tho  road  from 
Ely’s  Ford  to  Chancellorsville.  The  entire  eCTort  of  the  enemy 
after  failing  to  place  himself  in  tho  rear  of  tho  Federal  army  was 
to  turn  its  left  flank  beyond  Chancellorsville.  Ho  fought  despe- 
rately and  at  terrildo  sa(!rifice  to  obtain  this  advantage.  AteloVcn 
o’clock  he  had  advanced  so  far  that  ho  appeared  to  have  accom- 
plished his  purpose;  and  accordingly  prepared  for  a desperate 
assault,  with  a view  to  securing  the  benefit  of  his  supposed  achieve- 
ment. To  his  surprise,  however,  ho  encountered  a new  lino  of 
baU,le,  and  his  men  were  driven  back  sadly  discomfited.  Sickles’ 
and  Slocum’s  corps  had  passed  rapidly  through  the  lines  of  Meade’s 
and  Couch’s  corps,  and  had  drawn  up  their  ranks  in  fonnidablo 
ai'ray,  with  a center  of  massed  artillery  on  the  hill  south  of  tho 
junction  of  tho  Uuited  States  Ford  road  with  tho  road  leading  to 
Ely’s  Ford. 

Finding  that  Hooker  had  fought  him  out  of  an  intrenched  camp, 
and  himself  into  one,  the  enemy  refused  to  continue  the  battle 
longer  at  such  disadvantage.  Another  demoralizing  influence, 
which  doubtless  cooled  his  ardor,  was  tho  booming  in  the  distance 
of  the  guns  of  tho  grand  division  of  General  Sedgwick  that  had 
been  left  below  Fredericksburg,  and  which  now  admonished  tho 
enemy  that  his  right  flaidi  was  exi)osed  to  heavy  assault.  There 
was  therefore  no  fighting  in  the  afternoon,  with  the  exception  of 
now  and  then  a slight  skirmish. 

On  Monday  morning,  at  daylight,  tho  rebels  placed  guns  on  tho 
heights  below  the  dam  on  Scott’s  Creek,  which  commanded  tho 
ground  north  of  United  States  Ford,  and  began  shelling  tho  wagon 
trains  and  hospitals,  causing  a stampede  among  tho  trains.  Their 


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JOHN  SEDGWICK, 


Late  ^lajor-Gcn.  Vols.,  born  in  Litchfield  Co.,  Conn.,  1815  ; killed  near 
Spottsylvania  C.  11.,  Va.,  May  9,  ’G4.  Graduated  at  IVo-st  I’oint,  1897, 
twenty-fourth  in  clas.s  of  fifty  members.  Sccond-Lient.,  1837  ; FirsGl/ient., 
1839.  In  battle.s  of  Contreras,  Churnbusco  and  Chapultepcc,  Mo.vican  AVar  ; 
brevetted  Capt.  and  Major.  Made  fall  Capt.  in  1849  ; Major,  1855  ; Lient.- 
Col.  2d  Cavalry,  March  1C,  18G1 ; Col.  4th  Cavalry,  April  25,  18G1  ; Bri".- 
Gen.  Vols.,  Aiig.  31, 18G1.  Commanded  first  a brigade,  and  then  3d  Bivis- 
ion Second  Army  Corps.  Fought  at  Pair  Oaks,  Savage  Station,  Glendale,  at 
Antietam  (twice  wounded  there),  and  brevetted  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  for  gal- 
lantry ; advanced  to  Major-Gen.  Vols.,  Dec.  23, 18G2.  February,  18C3,  took 
commajid  of  Si.xth  Army  Corps.  In  battles  around  Chancellorsville,  May, 
18G3 ; carried  Marye’s  Heights,  and  fought  battles  at  Salem  Heights  and 
Baidcs’  Ford.  Commanded  left  wing  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  June,  18G3  ; 
made  forced  march  to  Gettysburg,  July  2d  ; fought  in  the  battles  of  July  2d 
and  3d  ; Nov.  7, 18G3,  captured  a Hebei  Bivision  on  the  Rapidan.  In  battles 
of  the  Wilderness,  held  command  of  the  right  wing,  and  fought  desperately 
on  May  5 and  6 ; May  9,  killed  in  front  of  Spottsylvania  C.  H.,  by  a bullet 
from  a Rebel  sharpshooter. 


I 

I 


237 


Chancellorsville,  etc.^  Va. 

guns  were  soon  silenced  by  tlie  twelfth  corps,  which  had  taken  a 
position  on  the  extreme  left  the  night  previous,  relieving  the 
eleventh  corps,  which  moved  to  the  right. 

There  was  no  battle  on  Monday.  The  enemy  continued  to  feci 
the  Union  line  from  extreme  left  to  right,  making  vigorous  feints, 
driving  in  pickets,  etc.  In  one  of  the.so  forays.  General  Whipple 
was  mortally  wounded,  while  standing  against  a tree  in  his  own 
camp,  in  a place  of  apparent  safety.  During  the  entire  day.  Gen- 
eral Hooker  continued  to  strengthen  his  position  with  a second  line 
of  rifle-pits  ; but  contrary  to  expectation,  was  not  attacked. 

It  was  generally  believed  through  the  army  that  after  resting  on 
Sunday  afternoon  and  evening,  a forward  movement  would  be  made 
on  ilonday  morning.  The  eleventh  corps,  which  unfortunately 
broke  and  ran  from  tlio  field  on  Saturday  night,  burned  for  an  op- 
portunity to  wipe  away  the  imputation  of  cowardice  under  which 
they  rested.  They  alleged  that  they  had  been  led  to  believe  from 
information  brought  from  tlie  headquarters  of  the  army,  that 
the  enemy  was  marching  in  a southerly  direction,  and  that  he  was 
therefore  rather  endeavoring  to  escape  than  to  fight.  Tliey  also 
stated  that  their  cavalry  having  been  taken  from  tiiem,  tliey  were 
unable  to  learn  the  true  position  of  the  enemy  in  tlieir  front,  and 
that  he  came  upon  tliem  suddenly  from  an  unexpected  quarter,  their 
first  knowledge  of  his  approach  being  the  driving  in  of  their  skir- 
mishers and  the  capture  of  their  pickets.  But  ten  minutes,  there- 
fore, bad  elapsed  from  their  first  alarm,  before  Von  Gilsa’s  bri- 
gade, which  was  in  position  on  the  road  , along  which  the  enemy 
advanced,  retired  in  great  confusion,  his  artillerj^  running  length- 
wise through  General  Schurz’s  entire  division,  breaking  his  iinos 
and  throwing  his  command  into  such  disorder  that  it  likewise  fled 
in  utter  rout.  Thus  a panic  wa.s  created  which  spread  through 
nearly  tlie  whole  corps.  It  was  tlio  oiiinion  of  many  oflicers  high  in 
command  that  at  some  period  of  the  fighting  General  Hooker  would 
throw  an  unengaged  portion  of  the  army  on  the  right  of  tiie  left 
flank  of  the  enemy,  and  completely  rout  Iiira.  This  movement, 
however,  was  looked  for  in  vain.  Tlie  enemy  failing  to  turn  the 
right  flank  of  the  Federal  army  and  cut  off  its  line  of  communica- 
tion via  Banks’ Ford,  withdrew  to  the  left  flank;  wlieii  Hooker 
moved  his  troops  out  of  tlieir  reach,  beliiiid  the  intrenched  lino. 


AVhile  affairs  were  tlius  progressing  with  the  main  oody  of  the 
Union  army,  General  Sedgwick’s  grand  division,  consisting  of  the 


238'  Chmicellorsville,  etc.,  Vh. 

sixtii  corps  and  a division  of  tlio  second,  were  engaged  in  a series 
of  operations  far  to  tliO  left  in  tlie  vicinity  of  rredericksburg.  At 
tlie  beginning  of  the  conllict,  tlie  enemy  being  threatened  by  Gen- 
eral Hooker  in  bis  rear,  bad  changed  bis  front  and  moved  tbe  great 
bulk  of  bis  army  toward  Chancellorsville.  Tbe  situation  was  thus 
reversed,  and  Sedgwick’s  force  was  now  brought  in  bis  rear.  But 
that  rear  was  covered  vvitb  tbe  intrenchments  behind  Fredericks- 
burg, in  tbe  assault  on  which  tbe  entire  Army  of  the  Potomac  bad 
been  repulsed  a few  months  previous ; and  now  that  tliese  intrench- 
inents  covered  Leo’s  rear,  they  were  of  even  greater  value  to  him 
tbanwlien  they  slieltered  bis  front;  consequently  bo  occupied  them 
with  ten  thousand  of  bis  best  troops. 

Ifetween  four  and  five  o’clock  on  Saturday  afternoon,  General 
Sedgwick  moved  forward  a portion  of  bis  troops  toward  tbe  Bowl- 
ing Green  road,  which  approaches  Fredericksburg  from  tbe  south- 
east. Altbougli  sbar|)ly  received  by  tbe  enemy’s  pickets,  they  soon 
gained  j)Ossession  of  tlio  road  ; whore  they  baited  till  the  remainder 
of  tbe  grand  division,  which  was  mostly  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Rappahannock,  had  been  brought  up.  At  half-past  twelve  o’clock 
on  Sunday  morning,  the  general  advance  toward  Frederick.sburg 
began;  and  for  the  greater  part  of  the  distance,  the  march  was 
unmolested.  Two  or  three  hours  later,  tbe  bead  of  the  column 
entered  tbe  town  ; and  afterward  passed  through  it,  in  a direction 
nearly  north,  as  far  as  to  the  railroad,  and  then  moved  west  and 
northwest.  The  exact  jiosition  of  the  enemy  at  this  time  was  un- 
known. Accordingly  a reconnoissanco  was  ordered,  and  the  rebels 
Avere  discovered  in  dangerous  jiroximity. 

It  Avas  now  the  first  Hush  of  morning.  The  main  body  of  tho 
Unionists  Avere  still  occupying  tbe  town.  Their  skirmishers  held 
tbe  ends  of  tbe  side  streets;  while  the  streets  that  ran  down  to 
the  river  were  enfiladed  by  the  enemy’s  fire.  Just  after  daybreak, 
tho  rebels  opened  a, fierce  fusi'lade  from  their  nearest  rille-pits; 
but  their  musketry  being  silenced  by  the  Federal  balberies,  they 
commenced  shelling  the  town  with  their  artillery,  klovemcnts 
were  then  ordered  to  feel  their  lines  and  ascertain  tlio  weakest 
points.  But  as  they  occupied  tho  arc  of  a smaller  circle  than  that 
in  which  the  Union  forces  were  obliged  to  operate,  they  were  able 
to  transfer  their  troojis  quickly  from  point  to  point,  and  thus  to 
meet  every  attack  with  a strong  force.  Considerable  fighting, 
therefore,  occurred,  in  Avhich  artillery  was  freely  used,  and  many 
Avero  killed  and  wounded,  Avith  little  advantage  to  either  side. 


Chayicellorsville,  etc.,  Va. 


239 


MAKTE  8 IIII.L. 

At  length  it  was  determined  to  make  simultaneous  assaults,  with 
three  columns,  against  the  right,  left,  and  center  of  the  rebel  posi- 
tion. The  princi[)al  assault,  however,  was  directed  against  the 
center,  whicli  occupied  a commanding  elevation  known  as  Mai'vc's 
Hill.  This  hill  W!i3  ill  the  western  outskirts  of  the  town,  less  lhan 
a mile  from  the  main  street.  It  was  a fortress  in  itself.  Along  tho 
base  ran  two  roads,  one  a sunken  way  extending  acro.s3  the  right 
and  front  of  tho  hill,  and  jirotected  on  each  side  hy  solid  stone 
walls,  whicli  in  the  open  field  a little  distance  off  were  unexposed 
to  the  fire  of  artillery.  The  position  was  admirably  available  for 
defensive  imrjioses.  It  was  against  these  same  stone  walls  that 
Burnside’s  troops  had  charged  with  such  desperation,  and  from 
before  which  they  bad  been  hurled  back  with  such  terrible 
slaughter. 

The  troops  moved  to  the  assault  at  about  eleven  a.m.  As  soon 
as  the  heads  of  the  columns  emerged  in  the  open  field,  a terrible 
musketry  fire  was  poured  upon  them,  before  which  they  melted 
away  as  before  a devouring  flame.  Several  of  their  leaders  were 
struck  down  ; and  for  a moment  they  wavered  and  swayed  to  and 
fro,  as  if  uncertain  whether  to  advance  or  retreat.  Rallying,  how- 
ever, they  again  dashed  forward  ; and  although  met  by  the  most 
heroic  resistance,  swept  over  all  obstacles,  nor  stojiped  till  their 
colors  were  planted  U|)on  tho  very  hilltop.  Many  of  the  enemy’s 
men  were  slain  in  tho  rifle-pits,  where  they  stood  till  the  last 
moment,  and  resisted  even  as  the  Federal  trooiis  clambered  over 
the  walls.  But  as  the  latter  gained  tho  hill,  the  rebel  lines  gave 
way  precipitately,  and  fled  in  a disorganized  rout.  In  this  achieve- 
ment eight  pieces  of  artillery  were  captured,  and  from  eight  hun- 
dred to  a thou.sand  prisoners.  The  Union  loss  tvas  probably  about 
a thousand  killed  and  wounded. 

General  Sedgwick’s  forces  now  pressed  forward  in  the  direction 
of  Chanccllorsville,  with  the  double  purpose  of  harassing  the  re- 
treating foe  and  ultimately  effecting  a junction  with  Hooker.  For 
the  first  two  miles  their  march  was  unopposed  by  the  enemy,  into 
whose  ranks  they  oecasionally  directed  a volley  of  musketry.  A 
rebel  battery  then  opened  upon  them,  but  inflicted  little  harm,  and 
was  ipiickly  compelled  to  ictreat. 

6ALEM  llEIOUTS. 

At  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  the  pursuers  had  reached  a point 
four  miles  from  the  city,  on  tho  turnpike  toward  Chanccllorsville. 


240 


CJiancellorsville^  etc.,  Ya. 


Hero  tliey  emerged  from  a wood  into  a broad  open  field  furrowed 
diagonally  by  a ravine,  and  terminaliug  on  the  farther  side  at  the 
foot  of  a gentle  slope  eovered  for  the  most  part  with  a grove  of 
timber.  In  this  grove  and  vicinity  were  a church  and  several  other 
buildings,  forming  the  little  hamlet  known  as  Salem  Heights. 

As  the  Union  troops  entered  the  open  field,  a rebel  battery  opened 
on  them  from  the  heights.  Three  regiments  immediately  pressed 
forward  and  charged  into  the  grove  on  the  right;  while  a brigade 
made  a similar  movement  on  the  left.  A battery  of  artillery  also 
hurried  forward,  and  began  i)laying  upon  the  center,  where  the 
enemy  were  occupying  an  intrenched  position.  The  rebels  were 
driven  through  the  woods  to  the  summit  beyond.  But  the  Union 
ranks  were  fearfully  thinned  by  the  deadly  volleys  of  musketry, 
which  smote  upon  them  like  leaden  hail ; and  exhausted  by  their 
previous  fighting,  their  subsequent  march,  and  their  hurried  charge, 
they  were  obliged  to  fall  back.  They  found  the  enemy  beyond  the 
woods  more  strongly  intrenched  than  in  his  first  line,  and  prepared 
by  the  arrival  of  heavy  reinforcements  to  dispute  a farther 
advance. 

As  they  withdrew  from  the  charge,  the  rebels  pursued.  Again 
the  Union  artillery,  which  liad  been  brought  still  nearer,  dealt 
death  and  destruction  among  tlie  foe ; and  they  retreated  to  tho 
cover  of  the  trees.  But  the  rebels  had  regained  their  first  line  of 
intrenchments,  and  their  reinforcements  i)ressing  forward,  held  tho 
edge  of  the  woods  des|)ite  every  effort  to  dislodge  them.  Begiment 
after  regiment  moved  to  tho  assault,  but  they  wero  swept  down 
like  mown  grass.  Tho  fire  was  terrific,  and  for  a time  it  api)earcd 
as  if  certain  destruction  awaited  tho  entire  Union  force.  One  com- 
pany of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  lost  more  than  two  thirds  of  its 
men,  killed  and  wounded,  in  a single  charge;  and  not  one  escaped 
whose  garments  were  not  torn  by  the  whistling  bullets.  Tho 
elevated  wooded  ground  west  of  tho  ravino  down  which  tho 
Unionists  had  descended  into  the  open  field^beforc  pressing  forward 
upon  the  foe,  afforded  a fine  position  for  artillery.  Accordingly' 
they  wero  withdrawn  hither,  where  they  waited  in  the  vain  hope 
that  the  enemy  would  come  out  of  his  intrenchments  and  meet 
them  in  a fair  field. 

At  dark  the  battle  ended  ; it  had  raged  furiously  for  over  three 
hours.  The  rattle  of,  the  rebel  musketry  was  continuous,  like  tho 
deafening  roar  of  a ponderous  railway  train  rushing  through  a 
rocky  tunnel.  The  Union  dead  lay  in  winrows  across  tho  field. 


( 


241 


Chancdlorsville,  etc.,  Va. 


In  the  etlge  of  tlio  woods  on  the  riglit  the  rebels  had  lighted  fires 
in  order  to  guide  their  musketry,  and  many  of  the  wounded  must 
have  perished  in  the  flames,  which  communicated  to  the  dry  under- 
growth and  burned  over  a large  portion  of  the  timbered  land. 
The  Unionists  were  now  disposed  in  the  best  position  for  defense, 
and  the  weary  troops  flung  themselves  upon  the  ground  and  sought 
rest  beueath  the  open  sky. 

Before  ten  o’clock  the  next  morning  (Monday,  May  4th),  the 
enemy  pressed  forward,  and  succeeded  in  forcing  back  the  left  flank 
and  cutting  off  communication  with  the  city  of  Fredericksburg. 
During  tlie  movement,  however,  the  Federal  troops  captured  a 
battle  flag  and  400  prisoners.  But  since  they  were  now  threatened 
on  both  flanks,  as  well  as  in  front,  and  their  communication  with 
the  city  was  cut  off,  tlieir  jiosition  was  one  of  great  peril.  Only  a 
single  door  of  retreat  was  left  open  to  them,  and  that  was  at  Banks’ 
Ford.  'J'hither,  therefore,  they  moved,  closely  followed  by  the 
enemy ; and  after  a hai-assing  march,  reached  the  vicinity  of  the 
river  shortly 'before  six  o’clock  in  the  evening. 

BA?JKS’  roKD. 

They  were  then  drawn  up  in  the  foi  m of  a semicircle,  with  the 
right  resting  on  the  river  bank  and  the  left  ojiposed  to  the  enemy’s 
approach.  A little  after  six  the  enemy  moved  against  the  center, 
but  were  repulsed  with  very  heavy  losses,  by  a concentrated  artil- 
lery fire.  They  next  essayed  a movement  against  the  left  center 
with  great  force;  but  when  within  close  range  were  slaughtered 
like  a defenseless  herd,  before  the  fire  of  the  Union  batteries.  Fall- 
ing back  in  disorder  they  abandoned  the  attack.  But  other  move- 
ments were  soon  made,  which  like  the  two  former  were  evidently 
intended  as  feints.  Ail  these  attacks  followed  each  other  in  quick 
succession,  and  for  a time  the  entire  lino  was  encircled  by  a cordon 
of  fire. 

Then  the  real  attack  commenced  on  the  extreme  left.  The  troops 
of  General  Ilowe.  who  commanded  the  left,  behaved  admirably,  and 
held  their  ground  against  fearful  odds.  For  more  than  an  hour  the 
unequal  contest  was  maintained.  A brigade  was  disj)atclied  from  the 
right  to  Howe’s  assistance.  The  movement  was  attended  with  un- 
usual peril ; but  being  sk  ilfully  Tiianaged,  was  entirely  successful, 
llowo  persistently  held  his  jx-sition,  while  the  other  lines  were 
withdrawn  and  safely  concentrated  on  the  hills  near  the  ford. 
Darkness  coming  on,  the  firing  ceased,  and  ho  was  enabled  to  fall 
back  unmolested. 


242* 


CJiancellorsville^  etc.,  Va. 


At  two  o’clock  on  llio  following  morning  (Tiiesdn}  ) tho  Union- 
ists were  crossing  tlie  river,  and  at  six  o’clock  were  safely  over. 


Sunday  afternoon  and  Monday  passed  with  Hooker’s  forces 
without  battle.  The  defensive  attitude  began  to  work  its  effect 
upon  the  morale  of  tho  troops,  and  all  thought  of  making  an  ag- 
gressive movement  was  banished  from  their  minds.  Their  conver- 
sation turned  upon  the  safety  of  their  position  and  the  strength  of  tho 
army.  Tlic  advantage  thus  lost  was  felt  by  tho  commanding  gen- 
eral; and  tills,  added  to  tlio  reverse  of  Sedgwick,  and  the  advice 
of  some  of  Ids  corps  commanders,  induced  him  to  recross  the  river, 
with  a view  to  beginning  the  campaign  anew.  Early  on  Tuesday  all 
the  pioneers  and  men  with  extra  tools  were  employed  on  the  roads 
leading  from  the  army  back  to  United  States  Ford.  Old  roads 
were  repaired,  and  new  ones  cut  through  tiio  woods.  Tho  trains 
and  artillery  commenced  moving  toward  the  river  early  in  the  even- 
ing. Haiti  was  falling  rtijiidly  and  it  was  quite  dark.  Tho  crossing 
was  commenced  at  ten  o’clock  a.m.  ; and  at  three  all  tho  wagon 
and  mule  trains  and  the  artillery  had  passed  the  bridges,  and  tho 
crossing  of  the  inlantry  commenced.  The  heavy  rain  on  Tuesday 
afternoon  and  night  had  caused  the  river  to  rise  so  rapidly  that  the 
ends  of  tho  bridges  were  ovcrflow'ed  to  such  .an  extent  as  to  make 
it  impossible  to  cross.  Two  hours  were  consumed  in  laying  addi- 
tional siians,  so  as  to  Icngtlien  the  bridges  and  raise  the  ends  above 
water.  It  fin.ally  became  necessary  to  take  up  one  of  tho  three 
bridges,  in  order  to  piocui-c  materi.al  to  lengthen  the  other  two. 
Notwitlislandiiig  llieso  delays,  good  oi'der  was  preserved  through- 
out. So  carefully  had  affairs  been  managed,  that  the  enemy  was 
not  aware  of  the  movements  of  the  Federal  forces  until  it  w.as  too 
late  to  interfere.  Tho  whole  army,  therefore,  with  all  tho  trains, 
supplies,  hospitals,  and  jirisoners,  crossed  in  safety  and  marched 
away  toward  tlio  Accpiia  Kaih-oad.  So  ended  the  great  campaign. 

Among  the  reasons  assigiied  for  the  fadurc  of  General  Hooker’s 
plans  were:  first,  the  flight  of  the  eleventh  corps,  which  rendered 
General  Sickles’  movement  nugatory,  and  forced  the  army  out  of 
a carefully  selected  field  of  battle,  and  compelled  it  to  receive  the 
attack  of  the  enemy  among  densely  wooded  bilks,  where  less  than 
three  eighths  of  tho  w hole  force  was  engaged,  or  could  be  engaged, 
owing  to  the  ground — comprising  an  extensive  tract  known  as  The 
MTldernes.s — being  covered  with  forest  and  tangled  thicket,  and  be- 
ing without  any  practicable  roaels  ; secondly,  the  rising  of  tho  llapp.a- 


flKORGE  STONEMAN, 


) 

')  Major-Gon.  Vols.,  l)orn  at  Busti,  CliaAitanque  Go.,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  8, 1822  ; grad-  i, 

I uatud  at  West  I’oiiit  in  181(!;  Bnivet  2d-ljiout.  1st  Dragoons,  ISK!;  2(1-  / 

j Lieut.,  1817  ; Ist-Licuit.,  July,  18.')!;  Aide-de-Gamp  to  Gen.  AYool,  185, 5 ; 

) Capt.  2d  Gavalry,  iSfarch  3d,  1855,  and  stationed  in  tlie  S.  W. ; in  1859-Gl, 

) was  at  Palo  Alto,  Texas  ; May  9,  18G1,  Major  of  1th  Gavalry  ; August  13,  ) 

j 18G1,  Brig.-Gen.  Vol.s. ; conunanded  Cavalry  under  McGlGlan  ; juirsued  i 

) Rebels  from  Yorktown  to  Williamsburg  ; brevetted,  for  gallantry,  Lieut.-Gol. 

j U.  S.  A.,  and  Col.  U.  S.  A. ; fought  at  Gaines’  Mill,  June  27,  18G2  ; under 

j McClellan  in  Md.  campaign,  Sept.,  18G2  ; commanded  Third  Army  Corps  at  i 

) Fredericksburg,  Dec.,  18G2  ; Chief  of  Cav.  Corps,  Feb.  5,  18G3  ; Major-Gen.  ) 

) Yols.,  Feb.  12.  Made  a raid  April-l^lay,  18G3,  toward  Richmond  ; guarded  : 

; Hooker’s  lines  in  June,  18G3  ; took  part  at  Gettysburg,  and  in  pursuit  of  ; 

j Rebels  to  the  Potomac  ; ordered  to  the  Mississippi  Division  in  March,  18G4  ; ) 

) took  part  in  Sherman’s  Atlanta  campaign ; taken  ])risoner  on  expedition  S.  ( 

! E.,  July  31st,  18G4;  exchanged  Oct.,  and  resumed  cavalry  command  ; start- 

) ed  for  Knoxville,  Tcnn.,  about  Nov.  1 5,  and  in  Dec.  defeated  Breckinridge, 

; &c.,  in  three  battles  in  S.  W.  Va. ; March  10, 18G5,  left  Knoxville  with  cav- 

j airy  force;  ca])tured  important  points  in  S.  W.  Ya.  and  W.  North  Carolina, 

,)  taking  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  April  12,  and  cutting  oil  Johnston’s  line  of  retreat;  ) 

) June  27,  1865,  was  assigned  to  command  Department  of ’I’enncssee.  ( 


245 


1 


I 


Central  Virginia, 

liannock,  in  coiiscqncnco  of  tho  storm,  wliicli  was  likely  to  enJanger 
the  line  of  communications  between  the  army  and  its  supplies, 
particularly  as  the  railroad  communication  with  Aeejuia  Ci  eek  had 
been  destroyed  by  tho  floods,  for  twelve  hours,  at  Brooks’  Station; 
thirdly^  ignorance  of  the  success  of  tho  cavalry  expedition  which 
had  been  sent  out  to  cut  the  enemy's  communicalions,  and  from 
■which  General  Hooker  did  not  hear  till  ho  had  recrossed. 

The  losses  inflicted  upon  tho  enemy,  however,  were  much  more 
severe  than  those  of  the  Union  army.  The  number  of  tlicir  killed 
and  wounded  was  probably  about  one  half  greater  than  that  on 
tho  Federal  side,  it  being  estimated  by  Genei-al  Hooker  at  18,000. 
This  disparity  resulted  from  tho  fi-equent  attacks  on  Hooker’s 
forces  in  intrenched  positions,  whence  tho  latter  were  able  to  (ire 
with  deliberate  aim.  In  tho  lighting  between  the  ni.ain  armies, 
ai  tillery  was  less  used  than  in  most  battles,  owing  to  tho  unfavor- 
ableness of  tho  ground.  Tho  losses  in  killed  and  wounded  on  tho 
Union  side  were  about  equally  divided  between  Sedgwick’s  forces 
and  those  ui'.dcr  the  immediate  orders  of  tho  commanding  general. 
The  number  of  prisoners  that  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels  was 
about  1,700,  or  but  little  more  than  onosthlrd  as  many  as  were 
taken  by  tho  Fcderals.  Tlic  loss,  however,  wliich  alHictcd  tho 
South  more  than  any  other  was  undoubtedly  tliat  of  their  favorite 
general.  Stonewall  .lackson;  than  wliom  no  other,  with  a single 
exception,  held  so  warm  a place  in  their  atfections. 


CENTRAL  VIRGINIA. 

(stoneman’8  raid.) 

April  2T  to  Mat  18G3. 

Union  carialnj  forcc^  under  General  2,G00.  Losses  small  {yiumbers 

not  stated). 

Visunionisis^  -under  W.  IT.  F.  Lee  and  other  leaders^  in  various  numbers.  Killed 
and  xcounded^  not  reported  ; prisoners.,  over  500. 

Pkior  to  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  General  Hooker,  being 
informed  that  the  only  serviceable  routes  for  tho  transpoilation  of 
troops  and  supplies  to  tho  rebel  army  at  Fredericksburg  were 
tho  railroad  leading  to  Richmond  and  the  Gordonsvillo  Railroad, 
determined  to  break  these  communications  belorc  driving  back  tho 
enemy.  Accordingly  he  dispatched  a cavalry  force  under  General 
Stoneman,  who  were  to  proceed  southward,  by  a circuitous  route, 
and  destroy  tho  bridges  on  tho  roads  over  tho  North  Anna  and 


24Gi 


Central  Virginia. 


South  Anna  rivers,  and  do  such  other  damage  as  would  seriously 
einharrass  the  enemy.  The  bridge  over  the  North  Anna  River, 
being  a work  of  considerable  magnitude,  would,  if  effectually  de- 
stroyed, require  at  least  a fortnight  for  rebuilding — a time  which 
might  bo  employed  to  great  advantage  against  the  enemy. 

General  Stoneman  crossed  the  Rappahannock  at  Kelly’s  Ford, 
on  the  27th  of  April.  His  forces,  numbering  2,000  men,  were 
divided  into  three  columns  and  disi)atched  in  various  directions, 
with  orders  to  break  the  railroads  wherever  practicable,  burn  the 
water-tanks,  depots,  and  railroad  trains,  and  destroy  the  telegraphs. 

General  Buford,  with  one  column,  marched  toward  Gordons- 
ville;  General  Averill,  with  another,  proceeded  directly  to  Cul- 
jiepper;  and  General  Stoneman,  with  the  third  column,  advanced 
to  within  two  miles  of  Richmond.  At  this  point,  General  Stone- 
man detached  Colonel  Kilpatrick,  with  a body  of  cavalry,  which 
were  to  proceed  down  the  peninsula  to  West  Point  and  destroy  all 
the  bridges  it  was  practicable  to  demolish.  Anotlier  party  was 
flcnt  to  destroy  the  bridges  across  tho  South  Anna  River;  a third 
expedition,  to  strike  the  James  River  at  Columbus,  break  the  locks 
of  the  canal  and  burn  the  bridges  as  far  down  as  the  river  extended. 
The  latter  detachment  was  not  wholly  successful;  tho  others 
accomplished  all  they  were  directed  to  perform. 

Gathering  the  rest  of  his  command  together  at  Thompson’s  Cross 
Roads,  General  Stoneman  proceeded  to  return.  At  this  juncture, 
the  rebels  started  in  pursuit  of  tho  audacious  party.  The  Union 
general,  succeeding  in  dividing  their  army,  started  on  his  return 
between  the  two  bodies  of  tho  enemy’s  trooi)S,  returning  over  the 
same  route  by  which  ho  went  out.  Ilis  scouts  encountered  tho 
rebel  pickets ; but  the  troops  succeeded  in  recrossing  the  Rapidan 
and  Rappahannock,  swimming  the  latter,  on  the  8th  of  May. 

The  success  of  tho  expedition  was  mainly  duo  to  their  magnify- 
ing their  force  by  dividing  it  into  different  expeditions.  Over  500 
prisoners  were  captured,  and  the  railroad  communications  between 
Richmond  and  the  Confederate  army  at  Fredericksburg  intercepted 
for  a fortnight.  The  rebels  lost  very  heavily  by  this  destructive 
raid.  Tlie  Union  soldiers  accomplished  the  daring  and  damaging 
exploit  with  but  slight  loss. 


Port  Hudson,  La. 


247 


POET  HUDSON,  LA. 

Mat  8 and  9,  1863. 

Union  naval  force^  under  Captain  Caldxoell^  comprising  several  mortar  boats 
and  two  iron^clads,  Losses  none. 

DisunionistSy  under  General  Gardner^  about  10,000.  Lostesy  not  reported. 

It  having  been  rumored,  for  several  weeks,  that  tlio  rebels  had 
evacuated  their  stronghold  at  Port  Hudson,  and  removed  their  • 
heavy  guns,  a reconnoissance  was  ordered  for  the  purpose  of  deter- 
mining the  situation.  Accordingly,  on  the  7th  of  May,  a portion 
of  the  mortar  fleet,  which  had  been  lying  at  Baton  Rouge,  was 
quietly  towed  up  the  river ; the  next  day  others  followed,  and  all 
were  immediately  placed  in  position  opposite  the  head  of  Prophet 
Island.  The  iron-clad  Essex  was  already  within  close  range  of  tlio 
lower  rebel  batteries ; and  the  mortar  fleet  was  ranged  in  lino  along 
the  shore,  a little  way  to  the  rear. 

About  midnight  on  the  8th  inst.  a red  light  appeared  astern  of 
the  Essex,  signaling  to  the  fleet  to  commence  firing.  Instantly  a 
broad  flash  of  brilliant  flame  shot  forth  into  the  deep  gloom,  and 
thick  clouds  of  smoko  rose  slowly  above  the  vessel,  encircling  it  in 
wreaths.  A small  light  marks  the  path  of  a huge  shell  as  it  mounts 
upward,  courses  far  onward  to  the  enemy’s  works,  and  then  drops 
down  like  a bird  of  prey.  But  while  the  light  of  the  burning  fuse 
seems  poised  in  the  upper  air,  the  deafening  report  of  the  ascend- 
ing missile  reaches  the  Richmond,  which  lies  to  the  left  of  the 
mortar  fleet.  • Then  tile  loud  reverberations  thunder  along  the 
shore,  and  lastly  comes  the  dull  thud  of  the  exploding  shell  as  it 
strikes,  destroying  a casemate,  dismounting  a cannon,  tearing  up 
the  earth,  and  hurling  destruction  among  the  men  at  the  guns. 

For  an  hour  the  mortar  fleet  kept  up  an  incessant  bombardment, 
but  called  forth  no  response  from  the  enemy.  The  next  day  seve- 
ral trials  were  made  to  secure  an  accurate  range ; and  at  ten 
o’olock  at  night  the  guns  again  opened  upon  the  rebel  batteries. 
For  sixty  minutes  they  rained  a tempest  of  huge  shells  upon  the 
lower  earth-works.  On  the  right  and  left  and  far  to  the  rear  they 
constantly  scattered  destruction ; still  the  enemy  reserved  their 
ammunition.  The  firing  continued  till  eleven  o’clock ; but  no  dem- 
onstrations had  been  made  by  the  foe.  As  soon  as  the  mortar  fleet 
suspended  firing,  the  rebels  commenced  dragging  their  flying  artil- 
lery into  position  on  the  lower  earth-works.  Two  guns  of  heavy 
caliber  were  placed  on  a small  elevation  near  the  margin  of  the  river. 


'248 


Port  Hudson,  La. 


where  they  could  rake  an  approaching  craft  fore  and  aft.  To  the 
riglit  of  tills  hill  ten  twenty-jiound  guns  were  mounted. 

At  three  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  10th  the  red  liglit  again 
gleams  in  the  stern  of  the  Essex.  The  first  shell  from  the  mortar 
fleet  was  fired  soon  after  the  appearance  of  the  signal ; then  the 
other  boats  quickly  followed,  sending  forth  huge  volumes  of  smoke, 
as  the  ponderous  missiles  were  hurled  aloft  and  plunged  down  amid 
• the  batteries.  Soon  a flash  was  descried  on  the  crest  of  the  hill, 
and  anon  a huge  shell  came  rushing  over  the  Essex,  touched  the 
levee,  hurst,  and  hurled  its  jagged  fragments  against  her  iron  sides, 
and  then  fell  harmless- into  the  water.  In  rapid  succession  three 
messengers  of  death  came  booming  on,  dropped  into  the  water, 
whirling  up  a splendid d'eau,  and  then  sank  quietly  beneath  the 
surface. 

The  Essex  now  gave  signs  of  life.  Taking  sure  aim,  she  opened 
with  her  nine-inch  guns,  and  maintained  a rapid  fire  to  the  close  of 
the  engagement.  She  was  struck  fairly  but  once  during  the  action, 
the  only  effect  being  a slight  indentation  in  her  plating.  After  the 
rebels  opened  from  their  lower  cailh-works,  the  firing  on  both  sides 
was  unremitting.  The  dawn  of  day  now  fully  revealed  the  enemy’s 
position. 

Suddenly  the  drum  beat  to  quarters  on  board  the  Richmond  ; 
the  crew  leaped  with  marvelous  alacrity  to  their  guns;  orders  were 
i.-^sued  to  slip  the  c.able ; the  engines  began  to  play,  and  the  formi- 
dable vessel  was  headed  for  the  enemy’s  batteries.  Directly  her 
100-pound  rilled  Parrott  sent  a huge  shell  whirling  madly  through 
the  air,  with  a noise  like  the  iniff  of  a locomotive.  The  smaller 
guns  along  the  starboard  side  quickly  folloyved,  tearing  up  the 
breast-works  and  exploding  their  shells  over  the  heads  of  the  rebels 
at  their  cannon.  One  of  their  batteries  near  the  river  now  took 
the  range  of  the  Richmond,  and  a solid  shell  came  ricochetting 
close  by  her  port  side.  Another  passed  near  her  maintop,  through 
the  rigging.  She  continued  to  steam  up  the  stream  till  within 
point  blank  of  range  of  the  enemy’s  position,  and  then  sent  a full 
broadside  into  their  works.  The  effect  was  electrical ; not  a man 
■was  to  be  seen,  not  a report  heard  from  the  hill  afterward.  The 
frightened  foe  betook  themselves  to  the  woods,  and  the  action  of 
three  hours’  duration  came  to  its  close.  Not  a life  was  lost  among 
the  Unionists,  and  only  two  of  the  mortar  boats  were  very  slightly 
injured.  The  purjjose  of  the  reconnoissanco  being  now  fully  accom- 
plished, the  vessels  returned  to  Baton  Rouge. 


JAMES  BIRDSEYE  AmiERSON, 

Late  Maj.-Geii.  Vols.  and  Brig. -Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  born  in  Clyde,  Oliio,  Nov.  II, 
1828  ; killed  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22, 18(J4.  Ifcgraduated  at  West  J’oint, 
June,  1852,  at  the  head  of  his  class.  Brevet  2d -Lieut.  Engineers  and  Ass't 
Iirst.  Pract.  Engineering,  1 853  ; Ass’t  Eng.  N.  Y.  Harbor,  Sept.  1854  to  Dec. 
185G  ; full  2d-Licut.  Eng.,  Dec.  1854  ; Jan.  to  July,  1857,  construetor  Fort 
Delaware;  Dee.  1857  to  Aug.  1861,  construelor  at  Aleatras  Id.,  Cal.,  and 
on  Pacific  Coast  Survey  ; Dec.  1.3,1858,  First-l.ieul. ; Aug.,  1 8(il , ordered 
to  Forts  in  Bo.ston  Harbor;  Aug.  6,  Cajit.  Eng.;  Nov.,  1 8()l , Lieut.-Col. 
Yols.  and  Aid  to  Gen.  Halleek  ; Engineer  in  Mo.,  and  Col.  Vols.  on  Stall  of 
Gen.  Grant,  May  1,  1862,  and  Brevet  Major  and  Lt.-Col.  Eng.;  Ch.-Eng. 
siege  of  Corinth;  Brig.-Gen.  A^ols.,  May  15,  1862;  Gen.  Supt.  U.  S.  Mil. 
llailroads  in  Do])t.  'I'enn.,  .June,  1862;  in  battle  of  luka,  Sept.  1!),  and  iiur- 
suit  at  Corinth,  Oct.  4 ; Maj.-Gun.  Vols.,  Oct.  8 ; Nov.,  18(i2,  routed  Jlebels 
at  Lagrange  and  Holly  Spring's;  commanded  right  wing  Army  of 'J'enn.,  Nov. 
and  Dec.,  1862,  and  17th  Army  Corns,  Jan.,  1863.  In  Yieksburg'  Campaign, 
fought  at  Port  Gibson,  littymonil,  Jackson,  Champion’s  Hill,  and  Big  Black 
Biver  ; assanlts  of  May  TJ  and  22,  and  oxjJoded  a mine  June  25  ; occupied 
Vicksburg  with  his  corps,  .Inly  4;  Hrig.-Gen.  IJ.  S.  A.,  Aug.  1,1863;  in 
Sherman’s  Exjiedition,  February,  1 864 ; March,  1864,  commander  Army  of 
the  'J'ennessee.  In  Atlanta  campaign,  fought  at  Rosaca,  King-ston,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Kulp  House,  battle  of  July  20,  and  atlair  of  21st,  and,  in 
battle  of  J uly  22(1,  was  killed  by  a sharpshooter. 


251 


Raymond,  Miss. — RacJcson,  Miss 

RAYMOND,  MISS. 

Mat  12,  1863. 


XJnioninU,  under  General  McPherson,  6,000.  Killed,  69  ; wounded,  341 ; miss- 
ing, 32. 

Disunionists,  binder  General  Gregg,  T,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  969- 

A CAVAUiT  force  consisting  of  two  companies  left  their  camp 
eleven  miles  distant  from  D.aymond,  Miss.,  May  12t]i,  and  proceeded 
cautiously  toward  that  town.  After  marcliing  about  six  miles, 
they  came  upon  the  enemy’s  mounted  pickets,  who  gradually  fell 
hack,  fighting  the  Union  skirmishers.  The  advance  of  the  Fed- 
eral army,  under  Captain  Foster,  followed  them  two  miles,  ex- 
changing shots  at  short  intervals.  Finally  the  rebels  effected  a 
hasty  retreat;  and  Captain  Foster  returned  on  the  road,  and  met 
Generals  McPherson  and  Logan  advancing  at  tho  licnd  of  the  infan- 
try column.  Tho  former  general  ordered  tho  advance  of  Logan’s 
division  to  dci)loy  and  move  forward  in  lino  of  battle.  Shortly 
afterward  a brig.ado  under  General  Dennis  was  ordered  to  move  in 
a similar  manner.  The  cavalry  was  still  kept  in  front,  and  fought 
the  enemy  as  best  they  could. 

At  ten  o’clock  tho  battle  opened  in  earnest.  General  Dennis’ 
brigade  held  tho  advance  nobly,  througli  the  day.  The  enemy’s 
position  was  an  exceedingly  strong  one,  on  Farden  Hills,  threo 
miles  from  Raymond.  The  battle  was  fought,  on  the  Union  side, 
by  General  Logan’s  division.  General  Crocker’s  came  up  just  as 
the  action  closed.  Tho  entire  Confederate  loss  was  909 ; Union 
loss,  442. 




JACKSON,  MISS. 

May  14,  1S63. 

Unionists,  under  General  Grant,  about  16,0(10,  Killed,  40;  wounded,  240  ; miss- 
ing,  6. 

Pisunionisis,  under  General  Johnston,  10,000-.  Killed  and  wounded,  460. 

MoPhekson’s  command  having  united  with  Sherman’s,  the  com- 
bined force  moved  upon  Jackson  early  on  the  morning  of  May  14th. 
They  marched  fourteen  miles  during  a heavy  storm  which  rendered 
the  roads  almost  impassable,  and  engaged  the  enemy  about  midday. 
The  rebel  press  had  pronounced  Jackson  impregnable,  and  defied 
assault.  "When  General  Johnston,  the  commander  of  the  enemy’s 
forces,  discovered  the  approach  of  Grant’s  troops,  he  decided  to 
meet  them  outside  the  city,  and  delay  their  advance ; in  order  to 


252 


Champion  Jlill,  or  JlaJcer’s  CreeJc,  Miss. 

give  opportunity  for,  tlie  removal  of  rebel  government  property. 
As  tlie  Confederate  army  was  small,  their  leader  ordered  a feign- 
ed resistance  to  bo  made  by  cavalry  sn[)ported  by  a small  infantry 
force,  against  the  approach  of  one  army  corps  by  the  turnpike  road, 
wliile  the  mass  of  his  troops  engaged  tlie  other  army  corps  on  tho 
Clinton  road,  two  miles  from  the  city.  But  the  resolute  advanco 
of  the  skirmishers  on  the  turnpike  drove  tho  force  confronting 
them,  and  the  retreating  foe  sought  refuge  in  their  rille-pits. 

Lleantime  General  McPherson,  at  the  head  of  two  divisions, 
fought  tho  main  army,  without  requiring  farther  aid.  After  five 
hours’  skirmishing,  and  a brilliant  contest  of  an  hour’s  duration, 
Jackson  was  surrendered  to  the  Unionists.  General  Grant  entered 
the  city  the  evening  of  the  14th,  held  possession  three  days,  and 
during  that  time  destroyed  all  the  railroads  concentrating  at  that 
point  and  all  government  and  military  property  belonging  to  the 
enemy.  Guards  were  established,  a provost-marshal  appointed, 
and  martial  law  declared  in  the  city. 

. .<«,« 

CHAMPION  HILL,  OR  BAKER’S  CREEK,  MISS. 

May  1C,  18C3. 

Unionists^  under  General  Grant,  20,000.  Killedy<k2Q\  1,842 ; missing 

289. 

Di>iunionists,  under  General  Pemherton,  25,000,  Killed  and  wounded,  2,500; 
missing,  1,500. 

Immicdiathly  after  tho  capture  of  tho  State  ca|)ital  of  Mississippi, 
General  Grant  ascertained  that  General  Pemberton  had  been  per- 
emptorily ordered  to  move  out  of  Vicksburg,  and  attack  tho  United 
States  forces  in  tho  rear.  Accordingly  he  ordered  the  thirteenth 
army  corps  and  a portion  of  the  fifteenth,  to  direct  their  course  to- 
ward Bolton,  with  a view  of  marcliing  from  thence  to  Edward’s  Sta- 
tion. Tho  seventeenth  army  corps  was  ordered  to  retrace  its  steps 
to  Clinton,  and  commenced  its  movement  to  form  a junction  with 
tho  thirteenth  corps,  early  on  the  morning  of  tho  15th.  Genei-al 
kIcClernand  also  received  orders  to  move  his  command,  on  the 
morning  of  the  16th,  upon  Edwards’  Station,  marching  so  as  to 
feel  the  enemy,  but  not  to  open  battle  unless  confident  of  success. 
On  tho  evening  of  the  15th,  McClernand  was  advised  of  the  ap- 
proach of  tlie  foe  from  Edwards'  Station,  and  quickly  drew  up  his 
troops  to  repel  the  assailants.  Beconnoitering  parties  were  sent 
out,  and  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  only  attempting 
to  learn  tho  strength  and  position  of  their  antagonists. 


/ 


J3ig  Black  liiver.  Miss.  253 

The  morning  of  the  ICtli  witnessed  the  first  demonstration  of  the 
rebels;  an  attempt  was  made  to  turn  the  Union  left  wing,  but  the 
attack  was  gallantly  repulsed.  At  seven  o’clock  the  skirmishers 
were  actively  engaged,  and  soon  the  battle  raged  fearfully  along  the 
entire  line,  the  enemy  making  desperate  efforts  to  hurl  their  forces 
in  mass  upon  Ilovey  on  the  center.  Here  the  contest  was  hottest; 
but  the  seventeenth  corps,  under  AfcPlierson,  came  into  the  field  ; 
and  after  four  hours’  desperate  combat,  the  rebels  were  forced  to 
retire.  Foiled  in  their  movement,  they  assailed  the  left  of  Ilovcy’s 
division.  Gathering  their  strength  at  that  point,  they  hurled  their 
forces  upon  the  opposing  columns  with  such  overwhelming  power 
that  they  were  obliged  to  fall  back — not,  however,  till  largo  num- 
bers of  the  brigade  had  been  killed  or  wounded. 

Assuming  a new  position,  and  being  largely  reinforced,  the 
Unionists  again  met  the  foe ; and  bearing  down  severely  upon 
them,  compelled  a retreat  to  the  forests  in  their  rear.  Following  up 
their  advantage,  the  Federal  soldiers  charged  into  the  forest  with 
fixed  bayonets,  and  the  terror-stricken  rebels  fled  in  wild  confu- 
sion. In  this  desperate  charge,  men  were  slaughtered  mercilessly, 
and  the  ground  was  literally  strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying.  At 
three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  the  contest  was  ended,  the  victory 
won. 

The  Confederates  retired  beyond  the  Big  Black  River,  leaving 
4,000  men  killed,  wounded,  and  i)risoners,  together  with  twenty- 
nine  i)icces  of  artillery.  The  Union  loss  was  42G  killed,  1,842 
wounded,  and  289  missing. 


BIG  BLACK  BIVER,  MISS. 

Mat  it,  18C3. 

under  General  McCUrnand  ^ about  10,000.  Killtdy^^\  ucoundtdyl.\^\ 

nufi^ing^  2. 

DUunioniidf*.  under  General  Pemberton.  Force  engaged  said  to  be  dfjout  8,70(X 
Killed  and  wounded^  about  COO ; prisoners^  2,000. 

The  repulse  of  the  enemy  at  Champion  Hill,  ifay  16th,  opened 
an  undisputed  way  to  their  earth- works  on  Big  Black  River.  The 
Union  troops,  closely  pursuing  the  retreating  foe,  bivouacked  in 
front  of  their  position  to  aw.ait  daylight  the  following  morning. 

At  sunrise  on  the  17th,  the  Unionists  advanced  and  opened  an 
artillery  fire  from  their  center.  The  rebel  position  was  well  chosen 
for  defense,  and  afforded  a most  decided  advantage.  Seventeen 

12 


254  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

light  field-pieces  quickly  responded  to  the  artillery  fire,  but  with 
little  effect  on  the  approaching  columns.  While  the  center  engaged 
the  enemy,  tlio  commander  on  the  right  defiled  his  troops  through 
a road,  and  dei)loying  into  line,  made  a direct  assault  upon  the 
rebel  position,  carrying  it  with  a trifling  loss  in  wounded. 

In  this  attack  the  enemy  lost  all  their  artillery  and  2,000  prison- 
ers. In  their  retreat  they  destroyed  the  bridge  and  trestle-work 
across  the  river,  in  order  to  stay  the  pursuit  of  their  antagonists. 


VICKSBURG,  MISS, 

May  13  to  22,  1863. 

Union  land  force,  under  General  Grants  about  30,000 ; naval  force,  under  AdmU 
ral  Porter,  compt'ising five  or  six  gim-boats.  Losses^  about  2,500. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Pemberton,  about  37,000.  Losses,  not  reported. 

At  eight  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  May  18th,  the  thirteenth  and 
seventeenth  corps  of  General  Grant’s  army  crossed  the  Big  Black 
River  by  means  of  floating  bridges.  The  fifteenth  corps,  under  Gene- 
ral Sherman,  had  already  crossed,  and  at  this  time  was  ready  for  the 
onward  march  to  Vicksburg.  It  was  now  ordered  in  the  advance,  and 
commenced  moving  along  tlio  Bridgeport  and  Vicksburg  road  at  a 
very  early  hour.  Having  arrived  within  three  and  a half  miles  of  the 
city,  the  troops  turned  to  the  right,  to  open  communication  with 
the  fleet  in  Yazoo  River;  which  maneuver  was  successfully  accom- 
plished by  evening  of  the  18th.  The  seventeenth  corps  followed  on 
the  Jackson  road  until  it  connected  with  the  route  previously  taken 
by  the  fifteenth.  The  former  then  took  up  the  line  of  march  to  the 
rear  of  the  latter,  and  about  nightfall  arrived  at  the  point  of  the  road 
whore  General  Sheiinan  had  turned  olT  toward  the  Yazoo  River. 
The  thirteenth  corps  had  moved  by  the  Jackson  and  Vicksburg 
road  to  klount  Albans,  whence  it  turned  to  the  left,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  striking  the  Baldwin’s  Ferry  road.  By  this  disposition  of 
the  forces  the  investment  of  Vicksburg  was  made  complete  by 
the  morning  of  klay  19th. 

General  Grant  immediately  began  operating  upon  the  enemy’s 
works — a series  of  redoubts  arranged  with  great  skill,  extending  a 
distance  of  from  eight  to  ten  miles,  and  so  placed  as  to  sweep 
every  neighboring  cre.st  and  enfilade  every  approach.  The  action 
opened  with  a slow  fire  from  the  Union  artillery,  along  the  whole  line, 
the  guns  having  a long  range,  but  eliciting  only  a feeble  reply  from 
the  enemy.  About  noon,  a division  on  the  left  advanced  to  within 


257 


Vicksburg^  Miss. 


600  yards  of  the  rebel  lines;  and  found  themselves  confronted 
by  fifteen  redoubts,  with  their  rifle-pits,  which  opened  fire  when- 
ever the  assailants  appeared  on  a crest  or  through  a hollow. 

At  two  o’clock  the  order  was  issued  for  a general  advance  npon 
the  enemy’s  works.  General  A.  L.  Lee,  commanding  the  assaulting 
column,  addressed  a few  words  of  cheer  to  his  men  ; and  j)lacing 
himself  in  front  of  the  center  of  his  brigade,  led  them  forward  in 
lino  of  battle,  and  was  the  first  man  to  gain  the  crest  of  the  hill 
which  he  was  attempting.  Reaching  the  summit,  ho  finind  several 
ridges  intervening,  the  ravines  between  which  were  swept  by  the 
guns  of  the  enemy’s  redoubts.  Still  he  advanced  in  the  face  of 
flying  shot  and  shell,  his  bravo  men  following,  till  ho  fell  to  the 
ground  severely  wounded.  Ilis  brigade  tvithdrew  a few  feet  only, 
behind  the  summit  of  the  hill  they  had  just  gained,  and  maintained 
their  position.  A decided  want  oftsuccess  attended  the  movement 
along  the  entire  lino.  The  Union  forces  moved  very  close  to  the 
works,  and  there  awaited  the  artillery.  At  nightfall  they  retired 
a short  distance,  and  went  into  camp.  During  the  night  heavy 
siege  guns- ■were  planted  for  future  use,  the  light  artillery  came  up, 
and  a slight  earth-work  was  constructed  for  their  protection. 

For  the  two  days  following,  the  army  was  kept  in  a state  of 
comparative  inactivity,  although  brisk  skirmishing  occurred  along 
the  whole  line.  General  Gi'ant  meantime  perfected  his  communi- 
cation with  his  base  of  supplies  north  of  the  invested  city. 

On  the  evening  of  the  21st,  it  was  announced  tliat  the  following 
morning  a simultaneous  attack  would  bo  made  by  all  the  army 
corps,  and  everything  was  done  as  far  as  possible  to  insure  success 
to  the  grand  movement. 

The  order  contemplated  a fierce  cannonade  from  daylight  till  ten 
o’clock,  the  hour  for  the  opening  of  the  assault;  but  for  some  rea- 
son it  was  delayed  till  eight.  During  the  night,  the  gun-boats  and 
mortars  lying  in  front  of  Vicksburg  kept  up  a continual  fire  and 
dropped  their  deadly  missiles  into  the  devoted  city.  At  seven 
o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the  Mound  City  made  an  attack 
on  the  hill  batteries  opposite  the  canal;  an  hour  later,  three  more 
gun-boats  joined  in  the  attack,  and  finally  silenced  them.  The 
water  batteries  then  opened  furiously  upon  the  gun-boats.  The 
latter  approached  to  within  440  yards;  and  returned  the  enemy’s 
fire,  for  two  hours,  without  cessation. 

At  eight  o’clock  the  cannonading  began  and  continued  unremit- 
tingly till  ten.  Cannon  were  placed  on  every  hilltop  in  front  of 


I 


258 


Port  Hudson,  La. 


the  enemy’s  works,  and  the  fiery  tempest  raged  fearfully.  The 
enemy  could  make  no  response;  for  the  Union  line  of  skirmishers 
Wfis  ])ushed  up  close  to  the  rebel  fortifications  and  unerringly  pieked 
off  the  gunners  wherever  they  attempted  to  work  the  guns.  This 
lieavy  cannonade  continued  till  tea  o’clock;  when  the  general 
charge  was  made.  The  preliminary  work  had  been  done  by  the 
artillery,  and  the  fortifications  were  breached  in  several  places. 
Under  cover  of  this  fire,  the  infantry  rushed  to  the  charge  all  along 
the  line.  Brigade  after  brigade  pushed  forward  with  fixed  bayo- 
nets, atid  carried  the  slope  and  ditch.  The  national  flag  was  planted 
in  front  of  the  fort,  and  maintained  in  that  position  till  night.  The 
assault  was  brilliant:  the  troops  fought  gallantly,  until  their 
depleted  ranks  could  no  longer  stand  ; when  sullenly  they  with- 
drew under  cover  of  a hill  near  at  hand.  In  addition  to  the  heavy 
musketry  fire  which  repelled  the  assault,  artillery  played  with  fear- 
ful havoc  upon  the  fading  ranks,  which,  after  every  effort  to  win 
the  goal,  were  obliged  to  yield  to  impregnability  of  position.  The 
Union  losses  during  the  day’s  engagement  were  fearful. 

After  the  failure  of  this  assault  uj)on  the  works  of  Vicksburg, 
General  Grant  determined  to  resort  to  the  slow  but  certain  method 
of  a regular  siege. 

Note. — See  account  of  the  siege  and  surrender  of  Vicksburg  on 
page  187. 


POET  HUDSON,  LA. 

May  ar,  1863. 

Union  land  force,  under  General  Banka,  25,000 ; naval  force,  commanded  hy  Ad- 
miral Farragut.  Killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  about  900. 

Jkisunionists,  under  General  Gardner,  10,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and  missing, 
{according  to  rebel  authorities),  600. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  four  days  after  the  investment  of  Vicksburg, 
General  Banks,  with  an  army  of  25,000,  arrived  at  Port  Hudson. 
Ilis  forces  were  formed  in  lines  drawn  closely  around  the  rebel 
position,  and  proceeded  to  cut  off  the  water  communication  by 
destroying  two  boats  moored  just  above  the  town.  General  Grover 
commanded  the  right  wing  of  the  army.  General  Augur  the  center, 
and  General  T.  W.  Sherman  the  left — the  lino  of  investment  ex- 
tending several  miles. 

Port  Hudson  is  an  exceedingly  strong  position.  Its  defenses  on 
tlie  land  face  consist  of  several  lines  of  intrenchments  and  rifle- 
pits,  with  an  abattis  of  felled  trees  in  every  direction.  At  dawn. 


259 


Port  Hudson,  La. 


May  27th,  the  guns  along  the  entire  lino  opened  upon  the  devoted 
place.  The  cannonade  continued  unremittingly  till  one  o’clock; 
■when  orders  were  given  to  cease  firing ; as  Weitzel  was  about  to 
make  an  assault  on  the  rebel  left.  The  sharp  crack  of  musketry 
and  steady  roar  of  artillery  soon  announced  his  work  begun ; for 
two  hours  his  troops  struggled  desperately,  facing  shot,  shell,  and 
grape,  as  they  advanced  through  the  interlaced  branches  of  felled 
trees.  With  most  determined  effort  they  succeeded  in  capturing  a 
six-gun  battery,  and  were  then  withdrawn. 

General  Sherman  followed  this  attack,  by  assailing  the  enemy’s 
right ; his  troops  pushed  steadily  forward,  undaunted  at  the  mur- 
derous storm  of  shot,  grape,  and  canister  that  was  rained  upon 
their  devoted  heads.  With  impetuous  charge  they  carried  the 
enemy’s  works,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet : but  they  were  com- 
pelled to  give  way  ; for  the  foe,  massing  his  troops  at  this  point, 
swept  them  back  with  overwhelming  numbers.  The  Union  attack- 
ing party  included  a regiment  of  negro  troo[is;  they  entered  the 
fight  with  900  men,  and  came  out  with  300.  They  fought  like  tigers, 
and  answered  every  expectation.  Although  the  Unionists  gained 
much  ground,  the  principal  object  of  the  att.ack  was  not  accom- 
plished— namely,  obtaining  possession  of,  and  holding,  the  rebel 
batteries  on  the  right. 

The  forces  of  Augur  and  Grover  were  now  hurled  upon  the  cen- 
ter. They  fought  desperately,  keeping  every  foot  of  ground  they 
gained  ; the  enemy  were  driven,  incli  by  inch,  out  of  their  rille- 
pits  and  intrenchments  into  their  main  works. 

While  the  land  force  was  waging  this  sanguinary  warfare,  the 
gallant  Admiral  Farragut  was  at  work  Avith  his  entire  squadron 
above  and  below  ; its  fire  was  delivered  with  the  greatest  delibera- 
tion, inflicting  heavy  damage,  and  continuing  its  well-begun  work, 
until  it  was  signaled  to  desist,  on  account  of  the  shells  passing 
over  and  exploding  among  the  Federal  troops. 

On  the  following  day.  May  28th,  General  Banks  sent  a flag  of 
truce,  asking  a cessation  of  hostilities  that  he  might  bury  his  dead  ; 
the  request  was  readily  granted.  The  Union  loss  in  this  fearful 
assault  was  very  heavy.  The  rebels  acknowledged  a loss  of  600. 


260  MiUi7cen'‘s  Hend^  Xia. 

MILLIKEH’S  BEND,  LA. 

j JlTNK  8,  18C3. 

UnionistHf  nnder  General  Dennis^  1,500.  Killed^  127  ; u'ounded^2,Vl ; missing-y  13T. 
DinunionintHy  under  General  McCullO'UQhy  2,500.  KiUedy  200;  wounded  and 

mUeingy  about  5U0. 

A itEPORT  being  received,  June  8th,  that  a rebel  force,  4,000  strong, 
was  threatening  Milliken’s  Bend,  where  a quantity  of  army  stores 
was  guarded  by  two  black  regiments  and  a part  of  an  Iowa  regi- 
ment, the  gun-boats  Lexington  and  Choctaw  were  disi)atched  to 
tliat  point  to  protect  tho^arrison.  The  Union  troops  bad  thrown 
up  some  extra  intrenchments  near  the  levee ; and  prepared  to  re- 
ceive the  attack,  with  some  doubt  as  to  the  issue. 

Soon  after  the  report  was  received,  the  commander.  General 
Dennis,  sent  out  his  cavalry,  retaining  the  colored  troops  as  re- 
serves in  case  the  advance  was  driven  in.  Subsequently  the  cav- 
alry, finding  they  were  likely  to  be  overpowered,  fell  back  and 
joined  the  colored  infantry. 

A battle  then  ensued,  which  was  waged  on  both  sides  with 
terrihe  fury  ; the  rebels  pressed  forward  on  the  white  and  colored 
troops  opposed  to  them,  with  all  their  strength.  The  negroes  broke, 
after  a brief  resistance,  and  fled  in  confusion  ; but  finding  their 
captured  companions  were  mercilessly  slaughtered,  they  rallied 
'with  great  desperation  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field.  The 
Union  forces  then  fell  back  to  their  works,  and  made  further  prep- 
arations for  defense. 

The  next  day,  Juno  8Lh,  the  gun-boats  arrived  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  found  the  rebels  had  returned.  During  the  night,  they 
had  employed  themselves  in  gathering  a largo  number  of  mules: 
and  at  daybreak  started  them  forward,  using  them  as  a means  of 
protection ; while  they  followed  close  in  the  rear.  They  were 
promptly  met  by  the  Union  troops,  under  shelter  of  their  breast- 
works. 

Gradually  the  enemy  neared  tbeir  line,  sacrificing  their  mules  to 
the  rille  shots;  and  opened  upon  the  works,  with  musketry  and 
artillery.  Their  strategy,  however,  was  of  little  avail.  When  the 
conflict  was  fairly  begun,  the  gun-boat  Choctaw  approached  with 
her  heavy  guns  charged  with  shell ; her  range  was  at  first  too  low, 
and  an  unfortunate  discharge  killed  several  members  of  the  negro 
regiment.  The  fight  raged  fearfully.  At  length  the  Choctaw, 
having  elevated  lier  guns,  rained  such  a tempest  of  shot  and  shell 
into  the  rebel  ranks,  that  after  being  once  or  twice  rallied,  they 


261 


Beverly  Ford,  Vd. 


retreated  in  disorder.  The  Union  blacks  suffered  severely;  100 
were  killed  in  the  fight,  the  Confederates  I'efusing  to  lake  any  of 
them  jmsoners  of  war.  The  enemy’s  loss  was  also  heavy. 


BEVERLY  FORD,  VA. 

June  9,  1S63. 

Unionists^  under  Generals  Buford  and  Gregg^  three  cavalry  brigades  and  2,000 
infantnj ; force  engaged^  9,000.  Kilhd,  uounded^  and  mUsing^  380. 

Disunion isU^  binder  Generals  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  and  Eitz-ITugh  Lee^  12,000  cavalry 
and  sixteen  pieces  of  artillery.  Killed^  wounded^  and  missing^  700. 

General  Pleasonton,  having  learned  that  the  rebel  General 
Leo  had  assembled  his  cavalry,  supported  by  artillery  and  infantry, 
between  Culpepper  Court  House  and  Beverly’s  Ford,  with  tho 
intention  of  making  a raid,  dispatched  a cavalry  force  under  Gen- 
erals Buford  and  Gregg  to  defeat  his  purpose.  The  troops  of 
General  Buford  met  the  enemy’s  pickets  half  a mile  south  of  tho 
ford,  when  a severe  engagement  opened — the  rebels  being  in  heavy 
force,  and  resisting  the  advance  of  tho  Unionists  with  continuous 
hand-to-hand  fighting-  Upon  the  arrival  of  Gregg,  the  combined 
force  was  burled  upon  the  enemy;  and  they  gradually  gave  way, 
disputing  desperately  every  inch  of  ground  as  they  retired. 

In  this  way,  the  Union  troops  made  more  than  a dozen  charges 
into  the  midst  of  the  rebel  ranks,  relying  almost  entirely  upon  tho 
saber,  which  they  used  with  terrible  effect.  Tho  enemy,  on  tho 
other  hand,  charged  repeatedly,  relying  for  the  most  j)art  upon 
their  revolvers.  Both  sides  were  driven  back  several  times  during 
the  action ; although  the  foe  was  ultimately  compelled  to  retreat 
to  a point  about  six  miles  distant  from  where  their  pickets  wero 
first  encountered.  Here  Pleasonton  found  the  rebels  so  heavily  re- 
inforced with  infantry  and  artillery,  that  he  deemed  it  prudent  to 
recross  the  Rappahannock.  This  he  accomplished  in  good  order, 
taking  with  him  200  prisoners, 

Tho  proportion  of  horses  killed  on  both  sides  w'as  very  large. 
The  field,  from  the  point  where  Bul'oid  av.d  Gregg  first  met  tho  foe, 
throughout  the  entire  distance  of  five  miles  over  which  tlie  enemy 
were  driven  before  reaching  their  reinforcements,  was  thickly 
strewn  with  dead  horses  and  -wounded  rebels. 

This  sudden  and  brilliant  dash  of  the  Union  cavalry  .frustrated 
tho  enemy’s  plans,  and  iirevcntcd  the  raid  of  Stuart’s  forces.  Tlio 
battle  was  one  of  the  finest  cavalry  achievements  of  tho  war ; and 


262 


Winchester,  Va. — lirashcar  City,  Jm. 


for  a time  cffecinally  cliecked  tlio  advance  of  the  Confederates  into 
Maryland  and  rennsylvania. 


WINCHESTER,  VA. 

June  14,  18K3. 

JJr.ionifitSy  under  General  Milroy^  6,500.  Killed^  wounded^  and  1,^00. 

Dia^iniohi.stH^  under  Gen<,ral  Excel! ^ IS, 000.  Entireforce  25,000.  KUUd^  woundedy 
and  minii'iitQy  850. 

A LAUGK  force  of  tlio  enemy,  under  General  Ewell,  marched 
upon  Wincliester,  June  13th,  with  the  intention  of  surrounding  and 
besieging  General  Jlilroy’s  forces  at  tliat  point.  The  position  had 
been  strongly  fortified,  under  the  direction  of  the  acting  comman- 
der, and  the  assailants  were  for  some  time  hehl  at  bay.  But  finding 
that  tlie  enemy  were  rapidly  reinforcing  and  manifested  a resolute 
jiurpose  to  invest  the  j)laco,  General  ililroy  determined,  while  it 
was  in  his  power,  to  cutliis  way  out  and  join  the  forces  atllai'per’s 
Eerry.  Preparing  for  tlie  movement  during  tlie  niglit,  the  troo[)s 
moved  out  at  three  o’clock  in  the  morning,  Juno  1-lth,  toward 
Harper’s  Feri-y. 

The  rebels  discovered  the  movement,  and  immediately  followed. 
A running  fight  ensued  all  the  way  fi'om  Winchester  to  within  a 
few  miles  of  the  ferry.  The  attacks  of  the  enemy  were  bravely 
repulsed;  though  not  without  heavy  losses  on  both  sides.  Tho 
sound  of  the  artillery  fire  during  the  rnoining  indicated  tliatMilroy 
was  falling  back,  and  an  intense  interest  was  immediately  excited. 
About  noon  the  liead  of  tho  retreating  column  reached  llalltown, 
three  miles  from  tho  ferry  ; and  couriers  .soon  after  announced  that 
tho  Union  troops  had  reached  Harper’s  Ferry,  and  nearly  all  of 
their  guns  and  trains  were  safe.  Tho  gnns  in  the  work  which  they 
•were  cmnpelled  to  abandon  were  all  disabled.  Tho  rebels,  finding 
themselves. foiled,  gave  u;)  tho  imrsuit. 


BRASHEAR  CITY,  LA. 

June  22,  1863. 

Vnion  garrison  numhering  about  2,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  not  reported^ 
prisoners^  1,S0U. 

KicunionUU^  under  General  Dick.  Taylor^  15,000.  Losses^  not  reported. 

WuiLE  General  Banks  was  besieging  Port  Hudson,  a considerable 
portion  of  Louisiana  west  of  tho  Mississippi,  which  had  previously 


263 


mm 


Shelbyville  and  Tullahoma^  Tenn. 


fallen  into  Union  hands,  was  retaken  by  the  enemy.  The  rebel 
General  Diek  Taylor,  operating  with  a strong  cavalry  force,  had 
gained  possession  of  Butte’s  Station,  on  the  Opelousas  Railroad,  by 
whieh  movement  Brashear  City,  held  by  a small  body  of  Unionists, 
was  cut  oli'  from  friendly  communication.  Thus  circumstanced, 
the  latter  was  attacked  on  the  22d  of  July  by  about  15,000  of  the 
enemy,  under  Generals  Taylor,  Mouton,  and  Greene. 

In  the  outset  a body  of  rebels  at  Berwick  City  opened  fire  with 
two  small  pieces  of  artillery.  The  attention  of  the  gunners  at  Fort 
Buchanan  was  thus  drawn  toward  them,  and  after  a few  shots 
they  were  apparently  dispersed.  This,  however,  was  a mere  ruse 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy ; for  scarcely  had  the  Federal  troops  been 
placed  in  position  to  resist  an  advance  from  that  quarter,  when 
they  were  suddenly  surprised  by  a large  force  which  during  the 
night  had  crossed  Lake  I’elouid  and  came  ui)on  their  rear,  'i'ho 
latter  entered  the  town,  and  the  Unionists  surrendered  after  a 
brief  resistance. 

The  Federal  loss  on  this  occasion  was  large,  including  a camp  of 
about  COO  convalescent  soldiers.  The  whole  numbers  of  prisoners 
taken  by  the  enemy  was  1,800.  They  also  gained  j)ossession  of 
many  guns  of  heavy  caliber;  seven  thousand  stands  of  small-arms; 
and  stores,  munitions,  and  equipments,  to  the  value  of  nearly  five 
million  dollars.  Tliis  disaster  c.xtinguishcd,  for  the  tinio,  the  Union 
])ossession  of  this  quarter  of  Louisiana;  but  the  rebel  gain  proved 
of  but  little  permanent  advantage. 


SHELBYVILLE  AND  TULLAHOMA,  TENN. 

^ JoRE  26,  1S63. 

Ujtioni.sU,  riniJer  General  Hosecrans,  88,000.  Killed,  65;  wounded,  462;  mUe- 
ing,  13. 

Kieunionisie,  under  General  Bragg,  86,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  not  reported ; 
prisoners,  1,634. 

June  25th,  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  commenced  a forward 
movement  iiixm  the  enemy  well  intrenched  at  Tullahoina.  The 
three  corps  forming  the  wings  and  center  of  the  army  advanced 
by  different  routes,  driving  the  enemy  Irom  his  strongholds  before 
them.  The  center  moved  to  Slielby ville,  as  Bragg  was  then  con- 
centrating his  troops  to  meet  the  anticipated  march  on  that  place. 
The  enemy  were  deceived  by  a threatened  advance  in  force  on 
their  left  at  that  point ; while  the  mass  of  the  Union  troops  in 


264 


Donaldsonville,  ha. 


reality  seized  IToover’s,  Liberty,  and  other  gaps,  hy  Lard  fighting, 
and  moved  on  Mancliester,  tlins  turning  the  right  of  the  rebel 
defenses,  and  directly  threatening  IJragg,  who  was  coiniielled  to 
retire  to  Tullahoina,  hotly  jnirsned  by  General  Granger.  The  latter 
general  arrived  at  Shelbyville  at  six  o’clock  at  night,  Juno  26th. 
Tlio  Confederates  after  a slight  resistance  evacuated  the  place. 
Three  pieces  of  artillery  and  300  prisoners  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Unionists.  Dispositions  were  immediately  made  to  turn  Tul- 
lahoma,  and  fall  upon  tlie  enemy’s  rear ; bat  Bragg  abandoned 
his  intrenched  camp,  and  fell  back  rapidly  toward  Bridgeport. 
Alabama. 

The  movement  was  conducted  in  one  of  the  most  extraordinary 
rains  ever  known  in  Tennessee,  over  a soil  that  became  almost  a 
quicksand.  Operations  were  retarded  thirty-six  hours  at  Hoover’s 
Gap  and  sixty  horn  s at  Winchester,  which  alone  prevented  the  Fed- 
eral troops  from  getting  possession  of  the  rebel  communications  and 
bringing  on  an  engagement  that  would  have  been  moat  disastrous 
to  the  foe.  Success  to  the  Union  arms  was  only  obtained  by  a 
surprise  as  to  the  direction  and  force  of  their  movements. 

The  killed  and  wounded  of  the  enemy  are  not  known ; but 
1,634  prisoners  were  captured,  69  of  which  were  commissioned 
officers.  They  also  lost  six  pieces  of  artillery,  many  small-arms, 
considerable  camp  equipage,  and  large  quantities  of  commissary  and 
quartermaster’s  stores.  Tlie  total  loss  of  the  Union  army  was  660. 

— 


DONALDSOI’IVILLE,  LA. 

Ju.VE  2S,  1SC3. 

Union  land force^  under  Major ; naval force^under  Commander  ^yoolsey» 

I.oHseSy  not  reported.  '' 

DisunionhiH.^  under  General  Greeiiy  8,000.  Killed^  C4;  woundel^  IG  \ prison^ 
ers^  170, 

JiiNic  2Yth,  Admiral  Farragut,  learning  that  General  Green,  of 
Texas,  had  notified  the  women  and  children  to  remove  from  Donald- 
sonville, preparatory  to  an  attack  upon  the  town,  oidered  the 
Kineo  to  the  assistance  of  tlie  Princess  Royal  already  at  that 
point ; and  the  commander  of  the  Winona  also  hastened  forward, 
and  arrived  in  time  to  engage  in  the  repulse  of  the  assailants. 

June  8th,  at  one  o’clock  in  the  morning,  Genei'al  Green  led  the 
attack  against  the  fort;  the  storming  parly  succeeded  in  entering; 
but  were  hardly  within  the  work,  when  the  gun-boats  opened  a 


VicJcshurg,  Miss. 


267 


flanking  fire  above  and  below,  scattering  fearful  destruction  tlirough 
the  rebel  ranks,  and  driving  back  tTio  assailants,  so  tliat  they  broke 
and  fled.  The  party  which  entered  the  fort  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  Confederate  loss  was  sixty-four  killed,  sixteen  wounded,  and 
170  prisoners. 


VICKSBURG,  MISS. 

Mat  23  to  July  4,  18C3. 

Vnion  land  force^  7tnder  General  Grant,  mtmhera  not  reported.  Naval  force^ 
under  Rear-Admirtil  Porter.  Lof(f}ea,from  May  23</  to  July  ^th,  about  2,000. 
Losses  during  the  entire  siege,  from  May  \Wi : killed,  245;  scounded,  3,633; 
missmg,  303.  Total,  4,236. 

Disunioniats,  stnder  Generitl  Pemberton,  about  36,000.  Lcsfie^,from  May  23f/  to 
July  4th : killed  and  icoundcd.  or  sirk  in  hospitals,  nearly  9,000;  ahlcJtodicil 
oi-*cr  27,000 ; total  loss,  about  36,000.  Losses  during  the  ciitire  siege, 
from  May  \Wi,  aboxit  37,000. 

Aftkis  the  assault  of  May  22d,  Gcner.al  Ci'atit,  having  detcr- 
inined  upon  the  regular  siege  of  Vicksburg,  began  a system  of 
gradual  approaches  to  the  enemy’s  works.  In  the  outset,  how- 
ever, his  army  was  too  small  to  guard  the  approaches  to  the  city 
at  all  points,  and  cut  off  the  rebel  communications.  15ut  soon  ho 
was  reinforced  by  General  Herron’s  command,  which  had  been 
withdrawn  from  northwestern  Arkansas,  and  the  investment  of 
•le  city  was  complete. 

By  the  end  of  May  he  wms  well  up  to  the  rebel  fortifications, 
his  lines  of  ciremn vallation  were  carefully  drawn,  and  numerous 
batteries  of  heavy  siege  guns  were  planted  so  as  to  command  Iho 
enemy’s  redoubts.  At  this  time  General  Blair  held  the  country 
between  the  Yazoo  aud  Big  Bl.ack  River,  with  instructions  to  guard 
against  the  approach  of  the  rebel  army  under  General  Johnston, 
and  to  ])rotect  the  Union  rear. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  a bearer  of  dispatches  from  General  Pem- 
berton, the  commandant  of  Vicksburg,  to  General  Johnston  deserted 
from  the  enemy;  and  coming  within  the  Union  lines,  delivered  his 
message  to  General  Grant.  From  this  report  it  was  ascertained 
that  the  enemy  were  supplied  with  rations  for  only  thii'ty  days, 
allowing  but  one  meal  a day,  and  wore  much  in  want  of  ammuni- 
tion, particularly  percussion-caps.  The  bearer  of  the  message  also 
gave  other  information  which  was  of  much  service.  It  was  jdain 
if  the  Vicksburg  garrison  were  closely  hemmed  in  aud  urgently 
besieged,  they  wmuld  soon  bo  compelled  to  surrender. 

In  order  to  guard  more  effectually  against  Johnston’s  approach. 


268 


Vicksburg,  Miss. 


General  Osterliaus’  division  was  sent  to  tlie  Big  Black  River,  to 
watch  tlie  crossings  and  to  resist  any  attempt  to  force  a passage; 
while  General  Blair  was  ordered  to  reconuoiter  and  ascertain  John- 
ston’s position.  The  latter  advanced  without  heavy  opposition  to 
within  twenty  miles  of  Yazoo  City,  and  learned  that  the  serviceable 
force  of  his  opponent  did  not  numher  more  than  15,000,  and  could 
be  easily  held  in  check.  During  the  expedition  important  captures 
were  made  of  cattle,  horses,  mules,  and  various  supidies;  numer- 
ous bridges  were  burned  or  demolished,  and  immense  quantities  of 
forage  destroyed.  In  a word,  the  country  was  divested  of  every- 
thing useful  to  the  enemy. 

During  this  time  General  Grant  had  selected  a skillful  company 
of  sappers  and  miners,  who  were  set  at  work  upon  the  most  eligi- 
ble sites  for  operation  against  the  enemy’s  redoubts.  A regular 
bombardment  of  the  I'cbel  works  was  maintained  at  intervals  both 
of  the  day  and  night,  first  by  the  fleet  and  then  by  the  land  batte- 
ric.s,  each  alternating  with  the  other. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  General  Grant  was  further  reinforced 
by  the  ninth  army  corps,  under  General  Parke,  and  a part  of  the 
sixteenth  army  corps,  under  General  Washburn.  These  troops 
were  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Big  Black,  to  aid  in  resisting 
the  anticipated  movements  of  Johnston,  and  if  necessary,  to  attack 
and  drive  him  back.  Soon  after  this,.an  expedition  under  Gencrah 
Sherman  was  organized  to  meet  Johnslon’s  advance,  the  result  ot 
which  probably  satisfied  the  latter  that  Grant’s  position  was  as 
strong  in  the  rear  as  in  front,  and  that  Vicksburg  was  beyond 
hope  of  relief. 

The  sappers  and  miners,  in  the  mean  time,  pushed  on  their  work 
with  steady  perseverance ; until,  on  June  25th,  the  mines  were 
ready  to  be  sprung.  The  utmost  secrecy  had  been  observed  con- 
cerning them  ; and  though  some  knew  the  intention  to  blow  up  the 
enemy’s  works,  yet  how  or  where  was  a matter  of  doubt.  The 
guards  at  the  head  of  the  saps  were  instructed  to  allow  no  one 
under  the  rank  of  a general  to  pass,  except  engineers  and  workmen 
immediately  in  charge.  The  principal  niino  waa  carried  beneath 
the  enemy’s  .strongest  redoubt;  and  consisted  of  several  galleries 
diverging  in  different  directions,  with  suitable  chambers  for  receiv- 
ing the  powder.  The  amount  of  ])owdor  used  was  2,200  pounds. 
From  each  of  the  chambers  a fuse  was  i-un  out  to  the  mouth  of  the 
shaft,  where,  at  the  a[ipointed  time,  the  match  was  to  bo  applied. 

At  three  o’clock  in  the  aftei-noon  of  the  25th,  a messenger  arrived 


Vicksburg,  ^fiss.  269 

from  the  mine,  with  information  that  all  was  in  readiness.  The 
troops  in  the  outer  works  were  withdrawn,  with  the  exception  of 
a few  sharp-shooters  who  were  retained  to  keep  up  a demonstration 
till  the  fuse  was  ignited,  w’hen  they  were  to  retire  under  cover  of 
one  of  the  neighboring  parallels.  A strong  force  was  ordered  to 
bo  in  readiness,  as  soon  as  the  explosion  occurred,  for  an  assault  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  breach;  while  a forlorn  hope,  consisting  of  200 
men  from  the  Forty-fifth  Illinois  and  Twenty-third  Indiana  regi- 
ments, were  to  rush  into  the  fearful  chasm  itself.  Simultaneous 
co-operation  was  directed  along  the  whole  line  from  right  to  left. 

All  was  now  in  waiting  for  the  final  scene  ; the  kindling  spark 
had  already  taken  effect  upon  the  quick  combustibles,  and  harmless 
flashes  went  hurrying  to  the  center.  The  forlorn  hope  stood  out 
in  plain  view,  boldly  awmiting  the  uncertainties  of  their  jirecarious 
task.  A chilling  sensation  ran  through  the  frame,  as  the  observer 
looked  dowm  upon  this  devoted  band,  about  to  hurl  itself  into  the 
breach,  perchance  into  the  very  jaws  of  death.  Thousands  of  men 
in  arms  flashed  on  every  hillside.  All  were  speechless.  Even 
veterans,  insensible  to  the  shock  of  contending  battalions,  or  nerved 
to  the  shrieks  of  comrades  suffering  under  fatal  agonies,  stood  mo- 
tionless as  they  directed  their  eyes  upon  the  spot  where  soon  the 
terror  of  the  buried  agency  would  discover  itself  in  wild  concus- 
sions, carrying  annihilation  to  all  within  the  scope  of  its  tremendous 
power.  It  was  tho  scorning  torpor  which  precedes  the  antagonism 
of  powerful  bodies ; yet  amid  all  this  painful  expectancy,  many 
minutes  passed  as  tho  fire  was  burning  its  way  through  the  long 
train,  and  approaching  the  terrible  mine.  A small  pall  of  smoko 
at  length  burst  forth  ; every  one  thought  the  crisis  had  come,  and 
almost  saw  in  imagination  the  terrific  scene  which  was  about  to 
follow.  But  not  yet ! All  eyes  now  centered  upon  tho  smoke, 
momentarily  growing  greater  and  greater.  A few  minutes  more 
elapsed,  and  then  came  the  explosion.  An  enormous  column  of 
earth,  timbers,  and  projectiles  was  lifted  high  in  tho  air;  the 
ground  rocked  and  trembled  for  miles  around ; and  an  unearthly 
sound,  as  if  a thousand  thunderbolts  had  been  launched  from  on 
high  and  burled  themselves  in  the  quaking  earth,  fell  convulsively 
upon  the  ear.  One  entire  face  of  the  fort  was  disembodied  and 
scattered  in  particles  over  the  surrounding  surface.  Tho  right  and 
left  faces  were  also  much  damaged  ; but  fortunately  enough  of  them 
remained  to  afford  excellent  protection  to  the  flanks  of  tho 
assailants. 


2*70  VlcTcshurg^  Miss. 

No  sooner  had  tlie  explosion  taken  placo  than  the  forlorn  hope 
daslied  forward,  and  plunged  unhesitatingly  into  the  smoking  pit 
of  ruin.  A tierce  musketry  fire  was  poured  upon  them  ; but  was 
met  with  unshrinking  heroism ; additional  troops  rushed  to  their 
support  and  an  obstinate  contest  ensued.  The  firearms  of  the 
combatants  flashed  almost  in  each  others’  faces.  At  length,  after  a 
half  hour  of  severe  fighting,  the  flag  of  the  Forty- fifth  Illinois  ap- 
peared upon  the  summit  of  the  work : the  position  was  gained ; 
cheer  after  cheer  broke  through  the  confusion  and  uproar  of  the 
conflict,  assuring  the  troops  everywhere  along  the  line  that  the 
main  purpose  was  accomplished.  Relief  was  now  demanded  for 
the  heroic  regiment ; and  another  Illinois  regiment  was  ordered  to 
take  its  j>lace. 

While  the  Forty-fifth  had  been  so  hotly  engaged  in  the  fort,  the 
Twenty-third  Indiana  had  followed  its  first  detachment  into  the 
sap,  from  which  they  were  to  hold  the  enemy  at  hay  during  the 
contest  for  the  fort.  The  rebels  fought  desperately  at  this  point  as 
well  as  the  other ; but  the  character  of  the  engagement  was  dif- 
ferent, the  troops  firing  at  each  other  over  breast-works  of  earth. 
This  regiment,  like  its  associate,  displayed  great  gallantry. 

The  action  was  kept  up  briskly  until  dusk.  In  consequence  of 
the  limited  space  in  which  to  fight,  not  more  than  one  regiment  at 
a time  could  act  in  either  place.  Accordingly  regiments  were 
relieved  by  regiments  as  rapidly  as  the  occasion  demanded. 

During  the  hottest  of  the  engagement.  General  Leggett  was  in 
the  fort  in  the  midst  of  his  troops,  sharing  their  dangers  and  par- 
taking of  their  glory.  While  here  a shell  from  one  of  the  enemy's 
guns  exploded  upon  a timber  lying  on  the  parapet,  scattering  splin- 
ters in  all  directions,  one  of  which  struck  the  General  on  the  breast. 
Though  bruised  and  stunned,  he  soon  recovered  himself  and  reso- 
lutely sat  in  one  of  the  trenches  near  the  fort  where  he  could  still 
be  seen  by  his  men. 

The  explosion  of  the  mine  had  been  the  signal  for  the  opening  of 
artillery  along  tho  entire  line.  The  sound  of  the  heavy  ordnanco 
fell  upon  tho  ear  from  afar  like  tho  mutterings  of  distant  thunder. 
On  some  parts  of  the  line  every  shell  struck  the  enemy’s  parapet, 
and  bounding  over,  exploded  in  their  midst.  The  scene  at  this 
time  was  one  of  the  utmost  sublimity.  The  heavy  columns  of 
troops  advancing  to  the  assault,  the  rapid  movements  of  the  com- 
batants, the  flashes  of  light,  and  the  wreaths  of  pale  blue  smoke 
rising  over  difierent  parts  of  the  field,  presented  an  ever- changing 

•» 


Vicksburg^  Miss.  2Yl 

panorama  of  the  most  imposing  character ; while  the  roar  of  artil- 
lery, the  rattle  of  small-arms,  the  cheers  of  the  men,  the  bursting 
of  shell,  the  fierce  whistle  of  solid  shot,  the  deep  boom  of  the 
mortars,  the  broadsides  of  the  ships  of  war,  and,  added  to  all,  the 
vigorous  replies  of  the  enemy,  commingled  in  q|^ightful  chaos  of 
sound  which  baffles  description. 

Miraculous  ns  it  may  seem,  through  all  this  fiery  ordeal,  the  Union 
loss  in  the  afternoon’s  engagement  was  not  more  than  100  killed 
and  200  wounded.  The  bombardment  of  the  enemy’s  forts  was 
kept  up,  without  intermission,  by  the  gun-boat  fleet  until  midnight; 
when  it  slackened  to  desultory  shots.  The  fuses  of  the  shells  as 
they  ascended  in  the  air  were  plainly  distinguishable,  and  flamed 
along  their  course  like  blazing  meteors.  Some  of  the  shells  ex- 
ploded high  in  the  air,  and  shed  a ghastly  glare  over  the  doomed 
city. 

After  the  struggle  of  the  25th,  and  the  occupation  of  the  captured 
fort.  General  Grant  resumed  the  construction  of  parallels,  so  as  to 
approach  the  rebel  fortifications  near  enough  to  take  them  by  a 
sudden  dash.  As  the  Unionists  advanced,  the  rebels  retired,  con- 
structing inner  lines  of  defense  as  the  outer  ones  were  taken.  On 
the  28th  inst.,  the  Federal  lines  were  1,300  yards  nearer  the 
city  than  at  the  outset.  At  length  it  was  whispered  about  among 
the  troops  that  on  the  following  anniversary  of  the  national  inde- 
pendence a grand  assault  was  to  be  made  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
Vicksburg  by  storm. 

The  rebels  doubtless  suspected  this;  for  on  the  morning  of  July 
Sd,  a flag  of  truce  left  their  lines,  with  a sealed  communication  for 
General  Grant.  This  communication  proposed  an  armistice  for  a 
certain  number  of  hours,  with  a view  to  arranging  terms  of  capit- 
ulation, and  suggested  the  appointment  of  three  commissioners  on 
each  side,  to  negotiate  such  terms.  General  Grant  in  reply  stated, 
that  the  effusion  of  blood  which  the  Confederate  general  proposed 
to  arrest,  through  the  acceptance  of  certain  terms,  could  be  ended 
at  any  time  by  an  unconditional  surrender  of  the  city  and  garri- 
son, and  that  he  did  not  favor  the  appointing  of  commissioners  to 
arrange  terms  of  capitulation,  because  he  had  no  other  terms  to  offer 
than  those  indicated  above.  General  Bowen,  the  principal  bearer 
of  Pemberton’s  communication,  expressed  a wish  to  converse  on 
the  subject  with  General  Grant;  but  the  latter  immediately  de- 
clined to  grant  a favor  inconsistent  with  his  rank.  General  Bowen 
then  requested  that  he  would  meet  General  Pemberton  on  neutral 


272 


Vicksburg,  3Iiss. 


gronntl ; n9  terms  cojild  V)e  more  easily  arranged  by  a personal 
interview  than  by  disputebes.  To  tliis  request  General  Grant 
readily  acceded,  offering  to  meet  tlie  Confederate  leader  at  three 
o’clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day. 

With  the  return  of  the  flag  of  truce,  the  artillery  reopened,  and 
the  siege  went  on  as  before.  By  noon,  however,  General  Grant 
ordered  a temporary  cessation  of  hostilities.  At  three  o'clock  pre- 
cisely, a signal  gun  was  fired,  and  immediately  replied  to  by  the 
enemy.  General  Pemberton  than  made  his  appearance  under  a 
white  flag,  and  General  Grant  rode  forward  to  meet  him.  Dis- 
mounting, he  approached  and  familiarly  greeted  the  Confederate 
leader.  It  was  beneath  the  spreading  branches  of  a gigantic  oak, 
overshadowing  an  undisturbed  grass  plot,  that  the  conference  of  the 
generals  took  place.  It  lasted  for  some  time,  but  at  length  they 
separated  without  positive  agreement.  It  was  arranged,  however, 
that  the  terms  which  General  Grant  would  allow  should  be  sub- 
mitted to  a council  of  Confederate  officers,  and  in  case  of  their 
assent,  the  surrender  of  the  eity  should  bo  made  in  the  morning. 
General  Grant  afterward  addressed  a note  to  General  Pemberton 
re-stating  his  terms,  and  tendering  some  additional  courtesie.s. 
Other  notes  passed  between  them  on  the  following  morning.  At 
ten  o’clock  a.m.,  on  the  fourth  of  July,  the  final  dispatch  was  re- 
ceived from  General  Pemberton,  stating  that  he  was  ready  to  capit- 
ulate. Shortly  after,  in  token  of  surrender,  the  rebel  works  were 
surmounted  by  a large  number  of  white  flags  extending  along  the 
entire  lines.  Soon  tlio  enemy  marched  out  by  regiments,  staeked 
their  arms  and  returned  within  the  city  ; where  they  were  parolled 
in  a body,  prior  to  the  separate  parole  of  each  man. 

The  whole  number  of  prisoners  was  31,277,  including  nineteen 
major  and  brigadier  generals  and  over  4,000  field,  line,  and  staff 
officers.  Upward  of  0,000  of  the  prisoners  were  in  hospitals. 
Among  the  captures  of  arms  and  munitions  were  ninety  siege  guns, 
128  field  pieces,  35,000  muskets  and  rifles — principally  Enfield,  and 
in  good  order, — an  abundant  supply  of  powder  and  shells  for 
ordnance  of  different  caliber,  besides  largo  quantities  of  miscellane- 
ous matter. 

Thus  fell  the  city  of  Vicksburg — the  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi 
— after  the  severest  and  most  protracted  struggle  that  had  ever 
occurred  for  the  possession  of  any  city  on  the  continent.  The  news 
of  its  surrender  was  sounded  throughout  the  land,  together  with 
that  of  the  great  victory  at  Gettysburg;  and  caused  the  national 


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GEORGE  GOllDON  MEADE. 


j ]\rajor-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  comniander  of  the  “ Military  I)ivision  of  tlie  Atlantic, 'j 

i l)oni  at  Cadiz,  Spain,  in  ISlfi  ; graduated  at  West  Point,  1835.'  Prevct  2d- 

} Lieut.  3(1  Artillery,  1 83() ; full  ‘id-T.icut.  same  year  ; re.signed  2()tli  Oct.,  183() ; 

; re-en(ered  S(!rvice  as  2d-ljieut.  'I’opograpliical  Pngincers,  Dili  May,  1812  ; 

{ served  in  Mexican  IVar;  lirevetted,  for  bravery,  Ist-Tiieut.,  Aug.,  1851; 

: Capt.  of  Engineere,  IMay,  185G  ; Colonel  of  a Micliigaji  Volunteer  Ib^ginicnt, 

Jlay,  18G1  ; I>rig.-(len.  of  Volunteers  in  Pa.  Reserve  Corps,  Aug.  31,  18G1  ; 
; (iMajor  Top.  Engineers,  18tli  June,  18G2,  and  Brevet  Lieut.-Col.  soon  after ;) 

{ commanded  Penn.  Reserves  from  June  30  ; ■wounded  tliat  day;  commanded 

) 2d  Div.  1st  Army  Corps  at  Fredericksburg,  and,  Pec.  15,  promoted  to  IMajor- 

j Gen.  Vols.,  and  command  of  5tli  vVrmy  Corps;  fongbt  at  Cliancellorsville ; 

j made  commander  Army  of  the  Potomac  on  27tli  June,  18G3,  and  directed 

) battle  of  Gettysburg ; followed  Lee  to  tlic  Rapidan  ; ordered  advance  to 

) Mine  Run.  In  May,  18G4,  under  tlie  direction  of  Lieut.-Gen.  Grant,  led  the 

I Army  of  the  Potomac  in  battles  of  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Coal  Harbor, 

) Chickahominy  ; crossed  the  James,  and  commanded  at  Petersburg  Mine, 

j Hatcher’s  Run  (three  battles),  and  the  final  battles  for  possession  of  South- 

j Side  Railroad ; pursued  Lee  to  Hcatonville,  Parmville,  and  Appomattox 

} Station.  Appointed  ]Major-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Felj.,  18G5  : 27th  June,  18G5, 

) appointed  commander  Military  Division  of  Atlantic. 

) 


275 


Gettysburg,  Penn. 

heart  to  throb  with  exultation.  The  fall  of  Port  Hudson,  the  onlj 
^■^’.naining  stronghold  of  the  rebels  on  the  river,  was  at  once  fore- 
seen as  a military  necessity  ; the  power  of  the  Confederacy  west  of, 
the  “ Father  of  Waters”  was  evidently  broken ; and  the  resump- 
tion of  commerce  on  the  great  highway  of  the  West  was  looked 
forward  to  with  joyful  anticipation. 


■ ♦»« 

GETTYSBURG,  PENN. 

July  1 to  3, 18C3. 

VhionistSy  under  General  ahmii  9T,000.  {including  general  qffl^ 

cfr.?),  killedy  2,S37  ; wounded,,  13,718  ; mUeing,,  6,6-43.  Total  23,198. 
Dieunioni^U,^  under  General  Lee,,  about  120,000.  Killed^  wounded  not  taken  prie^ 
oners^  and  missing  {according  to  careful  estimate),,  about  23,000;  prisoners 
{below  the  rank  of  general,^  including  many  wounded)^  13,021.  Total  loss,  not 
far  from  37,000. 

Duking  the  early  part  of  June,  the  rebel  army  under  General  Leo 
moved  up  the  south  bank  of  the  Rappdhannock,  occupied  the  gaps 
of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  threatened  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah. 
General  Hooker  followed  on  an  interior  line,  by  Warrenton  Junc- 
tion, Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  Leesburg.  Winchester  and  Martins- 
burg  were  then  occupied  by  the  Union  forces,  simply  as  outposts, 
neither  place  being  susceptible  of  a good  defense.  Directions  wero 
given  therefore,  on  the  11th  of  Juno,  to  withdraw  their  garrisons  to 
Harper’s  Ferry.  But  com[)lianco  with  these  orders  was  neglected; 
and  on  the  13th,  Winchester  was  attacked,  and  its  armament  and  a 
part  of  the  garrisoi!  captured.  Leo  then  crossed  the  Potomac  near 
Williamsport,  and  directed  his  march  upon  Harrisburg.  General 
Hooker  immediately  followed  on  his  right  flank,  covering  Washing- 
ton and  Baltimore.  On  reaching  Frederick,  Maryland,  on  the  28th 
of  June,  he  was  relieved  from  the  command,  at  his  own  request, 
and  Major-General  Meade  was  appointed  in  his  stead. 

When  General  Meade,  under  order  of  the  President,  took  com- 
mand of  the  Army  ol  the  Potomac,  on  the  28th  of  Juno,  it  was 
mainly  concentrated  at  Frederick.  Lee’s  army  w-as  supposed  to  bo 
advancing  against  Harrisburg ; which  was  garrisoned  by  raw 
militia.  General  Meade  therefore  directed  his  left  wing,  under 
Reynolds,  upon  Emmettsburg,  and  his  right  upon  New  Windsor, 
leaving  General  French  with  11,000  men  to  protect  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  convey  the  public  property  from  Harper’s 
Ferry  to  Washington.  Buford’s  cavalry  was  then  at  Gettysburg, 

13 


276  Gettysburg,  Penn. 

anil  Kilpatrick’s  at  ITanover,  -wliere  the  latter  encountere*^  *^^(1 
ilefeated  the  rear  of  Stuart’s  rebel  cavalry  which  was  roving 
country  in  search  of  the  main  army  of  Lee.  The  greater  part  of 
the  rebel  army  was  near  at  hand.  Hill  had  reached  Fayetteville 
on  the  Cashtown  road  on  the  28th;  and  was  followed  on  the  same 
road  by  Longstreet,  on  the  29th.  The  eastern  side  of  South  Moun- 
tain as  seen  from  Gettysburg  was  lighted  up  at  night  by  the  camp- 
fires of  the  enemy’s  advance,  and  the  country  swarmed  with  his 
foraging  parties.  It  was  now  too  evident  tliat  the  thunder-cloud 
long  gathering  blackness,  would  soon  burst  on  some  part  of  the 
devoted  city  of  Gettysburg. 

The  30tli  of  June  was  a day  of  important  preparation.  At  half- 
past eleven  in  the  morning,  General  Buford  passed  through  Gettys- 
burg, on  a reconnoissauce  in  force  with  his  cavalry  upon  tlie  Chani- 
bersburg  road.  The  information  obtained  by  him  was  immediately 
communicated  to  General  Keynolds,  who  was  in  consequence 
ordered  to  occupy  Gettysburg. 

In  tliis  connection,  a few* words  respecting  the  principal  points 
of  strategic  imjxjrtance  around  Gettysburg  may  ho  aiipropriato. 
The  village  itself  stands  on  somewhat  elevated  ground  between 
Rock  Creek  on  the  east  and  Marsh  Creek  on  the  west.  About  eight 
or  ten  miles  off  to  the  northwest  is  the  range  known  as  South 
kfountain.  In  the  intervening  space  there  are  several  ridges  run- 
ning nearly  parallel  to  it,  and  giving  a pleasing  variety  to  the  land- 
scape. The  nearest  of  these  ridges — in  the  line  of  which  stands 
the  Lutheran  Theological  Seminary — is  called  Seminary  Ridge;  the 
next — embraced  wholly  or  partly  in  the  farm  of  Mr.  Edward  Mc- 
Pherson—is  termed  McPherson’s  Ridge.  Beyond  flows  the  little 
stream  of  Willoughby’s  Run  ; and  still  /arther  on  is  a third  ridge. 
A tract  of  considerable  area  extending  from  the  third  ridge,  across 
the  run  and  over  kfePherson’s  Ridge,  was  the  field  of  the  first  day’s 
engagement  or  battle  of  Wednesday,  which  will  soon  bo  described, 
and  which  is  sometimes  designated,  in  reference  to  the  central  lino 
of  conflict,  as  the  battle  of  Willoughby’s  Run. 

Seminary  Ridge  with  the  high  ground  extending  thence  east- 
ward forms  a somewhat  semicircular  sweep  around  the  north  side 
of  Gettysburg,  affording  admirable  positions  for  the  placing  of  artil- 
lery so  as  to  command  the  town  and  the  approaches  from  the  south- 
ward. These  commanding  positions  were  occupied  by  the  rebels 
during  the  great  struggle  of  Thursday  and  Friday,  following  the 
first  day’s  engagement. 


Gettysburg,  Pemu 


279 


On  the  opposite  or  south  side  of  Gettysburg  stands  an  ahr.u(>t 
eminence  called  Cemetery  Hill,  thrust  boldly  forward  as  if  in  deli- 
ance  of  the  broader  sweep  at  the  north.  On  each  side  of  this  emi- 
nence, receding  from  it  to  the  southeast  and  southwest,  as  from 
the  vertex  of  a triangle,  is  an  irregular  broken  line  of  hills  includ- 
ing the  peaks  known  as  Great  and  Little  Round  Top,  Cul|)’s  Hill, 
and  Wolf  Hill.  Through  the  soft  shales  which  compose  the  hulk 
of  these  elevations,  project  masses  and  seams  of  trap-rock  forming 
the  axes  and  crests  of  the  hills,  and  affording  loose  fragments  from 
which  various  stone  fences  liave  been  built  that  are  readily  avail- 
able for  temporary  breast-works. 

The  reader  will  form  a tolerable  conception  of  thp  heights 
around  Gettysburg,  viewed  as  a whole,  by  picturing  in  tlie  mind’s 
eye  a semicircular  lino  of  elevations  on  the  north,  half  embracing 
the  neighboring  outskirts,  and  a sim[>lc  triangle  on  the  south,  with 
its  vertex — fortned  by  Cemetery  Hill — turned  toward  the  town, 
and  its  open  base  lying  in  the  opposite  direction.  The  Emmetts- 
burg  road  approaches  the  town  along  the  west  side  of  this  triangle ; 
and  the  Baltimore  turni)ike,  along  the  east  side.  The  Fairfield 
road  comes  in  from  the  west;  and  the  Caslitown  or  Cbambersburg 
road,  from  the  northwest,  across  Seminary  Ridge. 

General  Reynolds,  in  obedience  to  his  order,  marched,  with  the 
first  corps,  from  Emmettsburg  to  within  six  or  seven  miles  of  Get- 
tysburg, and  encamped  on  the  southwest  bank  of  Marsh’s  Creek. 
The  right  wing  of  the  Union  army  meantime  was  moved  to  Man- 
chester. On  the  same  daj',  the  corps  of  the  rebel  Generals  Jlill 
and  Longstreet  were  pushed  still  fartljer  forward  on  the  Chambers- 
burg  road,  and  distributed  in  the  vicinity  of  Marsh's  Creek,  some 
miles  to  the  northward ; while  a reconnoissance  was  made  by  the 
Confederate  General  Pettigrew  up  to  a very  short  distance  from 
Gettysburg.  Thus,  at  nightfall  on  the  30th  of  June,  the  greater 
l)art  of  the  rebel  force  was  concentrated  in  the  vicinity  of  two 
corps  of  the  Union  army,  the  former  refreshed  by  two  days  passed 
in  comparative  repose  and  deliberate  preparation  for  the  encounter, 
the  latter  separated  by  a march  of  one  or  two  days  from  their  sup- 
porting corps,  and  doubtful  at  what  precise  point  they  were  to 
exjiect  an  attack. 

During  the  forenoon  of  "Wednesday,  July  1st,  General  Reynolds 
pushed  forward  to  Gettysbuig,  and  found  Buford  with  his  cavalry 
warmly  engaged  with  the  enemy.  Being  anxious  to  hold  the 
rebels  in  check  till  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  might  arrive,  Rey- 


280 


Gettysburg^  Penn. 


Holds  Imrried  forward  tlio  first  corps  to  llic  support  of  Buford  who 
was  alone  occupying  the  attention  of  the  foe,  and  ordered  General 
Howard,  coniiuauding  the  eleventh  corps,  to  bring  up  his  men  as 
rapidly  as  possible.  Apprised  early  in  the  morning  of  the  advan- 
tage of  holding  Cemetery  Hill,  he  determined  to  prevent  the  rebels 
from  gaining  possession  of  it,  intending  to  dispute  their  progress 
step  by  step,  and  to  fight  from  liouse  to  house,  if  they  should  ad- 
vance upon  the  town.  Aware  also  of  the  probable  disparity  in 
tlie  number  of  Ids  troops  and  of  the  enemy's,  and  providing 
against  the  possibility  of  being  pressed  by  an  overwhelming  force, 
he  ordered  General  Howard  to  occupy  Cemetery  Hill  with  one 
division  of  the  eleventh  corps;  while  the  other  two  should  come 
to  the  support  of  the  first  corps,  holding  them  at  bay  as  long  as  pos- 
sible, if  they  could  not  succeed  in  driving  them  back.  This  order 
was  complied  with,  by  sending  the  second  division,  under  Steinwehr, 
to  the  liill ; while  the  others  were  sent  to  the  right  of  the  first  corps. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  fight,  the  rebels  had  opened  upon  Bu- 
ford’s men  from  the  ridge  beyond  'Willoughby’s  Run,  while  the 
latter  were  stationed  on  McPlierson’s  Ridge,  near  the  house  of  the 
proprietor.  The  fij’st  division  of  the  first  corps,  under  General 
AVadsworth,  who  led  the  advance,  immediately  on  its  arrival  joined 
in  the  conllict.  The  battle  was  now  fairly  begun ; and  backward 
and  forward  over  the  run  and  across  the  neighboring  hills  it  raged 
with  alternate  success  for  a\)out  six  hours. 

The  opening  of  the  struggle  was  generally  favorable  to  the  Union 
side.  The  rebel  General  Archer  tried  to  drive  out  of  McPherson’s 
woods  the  left  of  the  second  brigade  of  the  first  division  which  had 
just  won  that  position ; but  as  he  moved  up,  the  first  brigade  of  the 
same  division  swung  round  so  as  to  bring  Archer  between  the 
Federal  lines  and  temporarily  surround  him.  Thus  hemmed  in,  he 
was  compelled  to  surrender,  with  about  1,500  of  his  men. 

Almost  at  the  same  moment,  General  Reynolds  had  gone  into  the 
woods  to  urge  on  his  troops  who  were  driving  back  the  rebel  lines ; 
and  when  he  saw  that  the  men  there  were  successful,  he  turned  to 
come  out  again.  Conspicuous  by  his  soldierly  bearing  as  well  as 
by  his  rich  uniform,  bo  was  doubtless  recognized  by  the  enemy  as 
an  oflicer  of  high  rank,  and  was  fired  upon  when  near  the  edge  of 
the  wood,  by  a body  of  sharp-shooters  posted  in  a neighboring 
thicket.  His  horse  became  unmanageable,  wheeled  and  reared ; 
when  a ball  struck  the  General  in  the  back  of  the  neck,  severing 
the  spine,  and  killing  him  instantly.  Thus  fell  one  of  the  most 


K'-  I Vfi 


OLIVER  OTLS  HOWARD, 

Major-Gen.  Vo!s.,  born  in  Leeds,  Me.,  Nov.  8, 1830  ; entered  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege, 1847,  West  Point,  1850;  graduated  June,  1854,  fourth  in  his  class. 
Brevet  2d-Lieut.  Ordnance ; served  in  Texas,  Florida,  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  Me. 
Ist-Lieut.,  July  1, 1857,  and  Acting  Assistant  Prof,  of  Mathematics,  West 
Point;  M.  A.,  Bowdoin ; May  28,  18G1,  Col.  3d  lleg't  Me.  Vols.  resigned 
from  Army,  June  7,1861 ; in  battle  of  Bull  Run  ; Brig.-Gen.  Vols.,  Sept.  3, 
1861 ; in  battle  of  Williamsburg,  May  5,  and  Fair  Oaks,  May  31, 1862,  lost 
his  arm  ; in  battle  of  Antietam ; commanded  1st  Div.  2d  Army  Corps  at 
Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862;  Major-Gen.  Vols.,  Nov.  29,  1862;  com- 
manded 2d  Div.  2J  Army  Corps,  Dec.,  1862-April,  1863;  then  Eleventh 
Army  Corps.  In  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  May  1-4, 1863,  his  corps  were 
panic-stricken,  but  rallied  by  him ; distinguished  in  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
J uly  1-3,  1863 ; temporarily  in  command  of  2d  Corps,  but,  in  Sept.,  left 
with  his  corps  for  the  West,  to  reinforce  Rosecrans.  In  battle  of  Wauhatchie, 
Oct.  28  ; Lookout  Mountain,  Nov.  24,1863.  In  Atlanta  campaign,  com- 
manded 4th  Corps  ; took  part  in  all  battles.  July  26,  commanded  Army  of 
'i’ennessee  in  battle  of  Jonesboro’.  In  Savannah  campaign  and  in  campaign 
of  Carolinas,  commanded  right  wing  of  Sherman’s  army  ; in  battles  of  Averys- 
boro’  and  Bentonville,  and  subsequent  campaign.  May,  1865,  appointed 
Commissioner  of  Bureau  of  Frecdmen  and  Abandoned  Lands. 


Gettysburg,  Penn.  283 

gallant  officers  in  tlio  Union  service,  one  to  whose  forethought  and 
intrepid  daring  the  success  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  is  largely 
due.  Several  of  his  escort  tvere  wounded  at  the  same  time. 

Major-General  Doubled.ay  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  first 
corps,  and  vigorously  continued  the  operations  commenced  by  Rey- 
nolds. For  a time  he  pressed  forward  successfully  ; but  soon  solid 
lu.asses  of  rebel  troo[)3  were  seen  coming  up  and  taking  position  on 
the  right  and  left  flanks,  and  it  was  evident  that  hot  work  w'as  at 
h;md.  The  General  .so  distributed  his  forces  as  to  hold  a neck  of 
woods  on  an  eminence  which  was  the  key  to  the  j)osition.  Ho 
continued  with  desperate  fighting  to  maintain  his  ground  until  the 
eleventh  corps  arrived  and  came  to  his  relief. 

Majoi’-Gencral  Howard  then  assumed  command  of  the  forces. 
The  divisions  under  Schurz  and  Barlow  were  sent  up  to  the  imme- 
diate sup[)ort  of  the  fujst  corps.  They  were  led  forward  with  the 
meinoiy  of  Chancellorsville  before  them,  and  with  a determination 
to  retrieve  their  lost  honor.  The  two  divisions  moved  through  the 
town,  took  a position  on  the  right  of  the  first  cor[)s,  and  fought 
desperately  .against  Ewell’s  cor[)s,  which  outnumbered  them  three 
to  one.  The  first  and  second  charges  on  the  right  were  stoutly  re- 
sisted by  the  eleventh,  but  on  came  a third  charge  with  four  regu- 
lar lines  overlai)ifing  the  force  on  both  flanks.  The  men,  still 
undaunted,  fought  till  both  flanks  were  turned  nearly  half  a mile. 

The  force  now  opposed  to  the  first  and  eleventh  comprised  the 
corps  of  Hill  and  Ewell,  numberiugabout50,000  men;  yet  against 
this  fearful  odds  the  gallant  band  fought  for  hogrs,  inflicting  great 
slaughter  upon  the  enemy.  The  casualties  on  the  Union  side  how- 
ever were  terrible.  Four  general  officers  were  lost — Reynolds  and 
Zook  were  dead  ; Paul  and  Barlow  wounded,  and  Schimmelfennig 
a prisoner.  Many  field  and  lino  officers  had  also  been  lost,  and 
nearly  half  the  men,  before  the  order  was  given  to  retire  to  the 
heights  held  by  Steinwehr.  The  troops  fell  back  in  the  face  of  an 
overwhelming  foe  with  commendable' steadiness ; at  times  there 
was  a little  wavering,  but  nothing  approaching  a panic.  The 
eleventh,  by  their  conduct  on  Wednesday,  were  entitled  to  great 
commendation,  and  the  Chancellorsville  disgrace  was  obliterated  by 
their  achievements  at  Gettysburg. 

About  the  time  of  the  witbdraw.al  of  the  trooi)3  to  Cemetery 
Hill,  General  Hancock  arrived,  having  been  sent  by  General  kleade, 
on  learning  the  death  of  Reynolds,  to  assume  the  command  of  tlio 
field  till  he  himself  could  reach  the  front.  In  conjunction  with 


I 


284 


Gettysburg,  Penn. 

General  IlowarJ,  General  Hancock  immediately  proceeded  to  post 
troops,  arid  to  repel  an  attack  on  the  right  flank.  The  attack,  how- 
ever, was  feebly  made  and  promptly  rejinlsed.  At  nightfall  tho 
little  army  on  the  hill,  that  had  so  gallantly  sustained  itself  during 
the  toil  and  peiil  of  the  day,  was  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  Gene- 
ral Slocum  with  the  twelfth  corps  and  General  Sickles  with  a part 
of  the  third. 

Such  was  the  fortune  of  the  first  day,  commencing  with  decided 
success  to  tho  Union  arms,  followed  by  a check,  but  ending  in  tho 
occupation  of  this  all-im[)ortant  position. 

Long  before  the  dawn  of  Thursday,  July  2d, -the  new  coinman- 
der-in-chief  had  arrived  at  the  front.  Having  received  intelligence 
of  the  events  in  progres.s,  and  being  informed  by  the  reports  of 
Generals  Hancock  and  Howard  of  the  favorable  character  of  tho 
position,  ho  determined  to  give  battle  to  t|jO  enemy  at  this  point. 
Aceordingly  he  directed  the  remaining  cori)s  of  tho  army  to  con- 
centrate at  Gettysburg  with  all  possible  expedition  ; and  breaking 
up  his  head<iuarters  at  Taneytown  at  ten  he  arrived  on  tho 
field  at  one  o’clock,  Thursday  morning.  Few  were  the  moments 
given  to  sleep  during  the  rapid  watches  of  that  brief  midsummer’s 
night,  by  officers  or  men;  though  half  of  tho  Union  troops  were 
exhausted  by  tbe  conflict  of  tho  day,  and  tho  l esidue  wearied  by 
the  forced  marches  that  had  brought  them  to  the  rescue.  The  full 
moon,  vailed  by  tbick  clouds,  shone  down  on  a strangely  unwonted 
scene.  The  silence  of  the  graveyard  on  Cemetery  Hill  was  broken 
by  tho  heavy  tramp  of  armed  men,  by  the  neigh  of  tho  war-horse, 
tho  harsh  rattle  of  the  wheels  of  artillery  hurrying  to  their  stations, 
tho  voice  of  the  bugle,  tho  roll  of  the  drum,  and  all  tho  indescrib- 
able tumult  of  preparation.  The  various  cor[)S  of  tho  army  as  they 
arrived  were  moved  to  their  positions  on  Cemetery  Hill  and  tho 
ridges  that  extend  southeast  and  southwest;  batteries  were  planted 
and  breast-works  thrown  up.  Tho  second  and  fifth  corps  with  tho 
rest  of  tho  third  had  reached  tho  ground  by  seven  o’clock  a.m.  ; 
but  it  was  not  till  two  o’clock  in  tho  afternoon  that  ISedgwick 
arrived  with  the  sixth  cor[)S.  Ho  had  marched  thirty-two  miles 
since  nine  o’clock  in  the  morning  of  the  day  before.  It  was  only 
on  his  arrival  that  the  Union  army  attained  an  erpiality  of  numbers 
with  that  of  the  rebels  posted  on  the  ojjposite  ridge  north  of  tho 
town,  distant  I'rom  a mile  to  a mile  and  a half  and  overlapping  tho 
Federal  position  on  each  wing. 

The  roads  on  which  tho  enemy  would  desire  to  march  across  tho 


Gettysburg^  Penn. 


285 


valley  were  commanded  by  Meade’s  guns ; and  hence  Lee  must 
fight  with  the  hills  against  him.  Tiiero  was  no  conceivable  ap- 
proach that  could  not  be  raked  and  cro.ssed  by  the  fire  of  the 
Union  cannon.  Tlie  reserve  artillery  and  all  the  essentials  to 
insure  victory  were  in  position  at  the  right  time.  The  immense 
cavalry  force,  too,  for  once,  was  present,  covering  both  flanks  of  the 
army,  and  ready  for  constantly  harassing  the  enemy.  The  latter 
was  a new  and  encouraging  circumstance  which  gave  confidence  to 
tlie  men,  while  it  afforded  security  to  the  trains.  The  southern 
ends  of  the  two  diverging  ridges  or  lines  of  hills  on  which  the 
Federal  army  \^s  diawn  up  terminated,  each,  in  a steep,  sugar- 
loaf  peak  which  thoroughly  protected  the  flanks.  To  attempt  to 
inarch  along  the  sides  of  these  ridges  and  around  these  terminal 
peaks,  would  have  c.vposed  the  rebels  to  the  danger  of  weakening 
their  front  so  greatly  as  to  make  it  easy  for  (Jencral  Meade  to  cut 
ofl’tho  flanking  force.'  Ilcncc,  a b.attlc  being  determined  on,  there 
was  no  alternative  but  to  attack  the  Union  [xisition  directly  in  fi-ont. 
For  once,  then,  in  the  history  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the 
enemy  in  accepting  the  gage  of  combat  was  compelled  to  fight  at  a 
disadvantage. 

Skirmishing  began  early  on  Thursday  morning,  but  continued 
without  severe  conflict  till  the  latter  part  of  the  day.  The  inaction 
of  the  rebel  army  seemed  ])i'ovidential.  Had  the  contest  been  re- 
newed in  earnest  at  daylight,  with  the  first  and  eleventh  cor[)3 
exhausted  by  tbe  battle  and  the  subse(iuent  retreat,  the  third  and 
twelfth  weary  from  their  forced  march,  and  the  second,  fifth,  and 
sixth  not  yet  arrived,  nothing  but  a miracle  could  have  saved  the 
army  from  destruction.  Instead  of  this,  the  day  dawned,  the  sun 
rose,  the  cool  hours  of  morning  passed,  and  the  forenoon  wore 
away,  with  no  seriously  aggressive  movement  .on  the  part  of  the 
enemy.  Thus  time  was  given  for  the  absent  half  of  the  Union 
army  to  arrive  and  take  their  place  in  the  line.s,  while  the  rest  of 
troops  enjoyed  a much  needed  half  day’s  repose. 

At  length,  between  three  and  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
work  of  death  began.  The  Federal  batteries  in  front  of  the  rebel 
line  of  fire  replied  vigoi’ously  ; and  for  two  hours  the  roar  and 
thunder,  and  flame,  and  smoko  of  ai'tillery  so  completely  filled  the 
heavens  that  all  else  seemed  forgotten.  At  length  through  the 
woods  on  the  left,  black  masses  wcie  seen  moving — larger,  more 
frequent,  and  nearer!  Skirmishing  in  that  part  of  the  field  became 
sharper.  General  Sickles  moved  forward  to  develop  the  enemy’s 


280 


Gettysburg,  Penn. 


intentions  anil  to  gain  a commanding  position  from  which  to  repel 
the  rebel  attack,  lint,  having  misinter|)reted  his  orders,  his  corps 
was  placed  too  far  in  advance  of  tlie  second — an  error  which  nearly 
piroved  fatal  in  the  battle.  Suddenly  tlie  black  columns  came  out 
of  the  wood ; the  thunder  of  artillery  ceased ; and  with  cheers 
and  yells,  amid  the  roar  of  musketry  and  Hash  of  bayonets,  full 
50,000  men  from  Longstreet’s  and  Hill’s  corps  came  rushing  against 
the  Federal  lines.  The  third  cor[)s  .stood  firm  for  awhile;  but  at 
length  gave  way  beneath  the  irresistible  weight  of  the  attacking 
column  ; and  on  came  the  rebel  legions  ten  times  more  furious  than 
before. 

Sickles  fell  severely  wounded  in  tlie  leg ; anS  his  corps  was 
terribly  shattered.  It  was  the  critical  moment  of  the  day  ; but  the 
second  corps  was  thrown  into  the  breach  from  the  right  and  the 
fifth  from  the  left.  The  former  suffered  fearfully.  General  Han- 
cock was  iiainfully  wounded,  but  refused  to  be  led  from  the  field 
while  the  engagement  continued.  General  Gibbon  also  was  wound- 
ed. The  terrible  charge  and  I'earfid  .^laughter  raged  with  unabated 
fury.  The  fifth  corps,  including  tlie  I'cgidars  and  Pennsylvania 
I'cserves,  struggled  in  the  herculean  combat  with  the  desperation 
of  men  born  to  conquer.  The  aid  of  the  twelfth  corps,  from  the 
extreme  right,  was  called  for;  and  a division  was  ordered  up. 
About  the  same  time.  General  Sedgwick  arrived  with  the  sixth 
corps,  after  a march  of  thirty-six  consecutive  hours.  His  men 
were  foot-sore,  many  without  shoes,  hungry  and  weary,  ready  to 
drop  on  the  ground  from  exhaustion.  But  wlien  the  situation 
Hashed  upon  them,  their  lire  and  zeal  knew  no  bounds.  They 
awaited  but  the  order;  and  then,  as  if  fresh  from  the  camp,  they 
swept  down  upon  the  haughty  foe  like  an  avalanche.  The  rebel 
column  staggered,  reeled,  and  fell  b.ack  in  confusion,  leaving  its 
dead  and  wounded  promiscuously  heaped  upon  the  field  of  slaughter. 

The  sun  went  down.  Suddenly,  as  the  western  hills  eclipsed  his 
rays,  the  battle  c.arnage  ceased  on  the  left.  With  equal  suddenness 
a fierce  charge  dashed  upon  the  weakened  lines  of  the  right  wing. 
The  quickness  of  the  onset  and  the  weight  of  Ewell’s  column  gave 
some  advantage  to  the  enemy.  Reinforcements,  however,  were 
pu'omptly  brought  flirward  and  the  enemy  checked. 

The  rebel  general  was  determined  to  break  through  tlie  right, 
and  gain  the  central  one  of  the  valley  roads.  The  failure  of  his 
troops  to  turn  the  left ; the  snatching  of  the  victory  as  it  were 
from  their  very  clutches,  and  the  liurliug  back  of  their  broken 


j WINFIELD  SCOTT  HANCOCK, 

^[ajor-Cjen.  V^ols.,  Brig.-Geii.  TT.  S.  A.,  born  in  Montgoniciy  C!o.,  Ponn.,  Fel). 

( 11,1821;  grailnutod  at  West  Point,  Jane,  18-11.  Brevet  2(1-Lient.  Itli  In- 

) I'aniry,  1811 ; fnll  2(1-1  dent.,  .June,  18-1(! ; served  in  Mexico;  brovetted  Ksl- 
■;  Lieut.,  Ang.,  1 817,  for  gallantry  al  Contreras  and  Clnirnbusco  ; Peg.  M.,  i 

I 18-18-<t9;  Adjutant  Gth  U.  S.  Inf.,  1849-53;  Ist-Tdeut.,  Jan.,  1853;  Ass't  ; 

jj  Q.  M.  and  Capt.,  Nov.  7,  1855;  Sept.  23,  18G1,  made  Brig.-Gen.  Vols. ; 

')  brevetted  iMajor,  Lieut.-Col.,  and  Col.  11.  S.  A.,  for  services  at  Yorktown, 

I-  Williamsburg  and  White  Oak  Swamp,  May  4 and  5,  and  June  27,1862; 

|i  took  part  in  battle  of  Antietam  ; commanded  a Division  of  2d  Corps  at  Frcd- 

■;  ericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862  ; Major-Gen.  from  Nov.  29,  18G2  ; commanded  his 

; Division  in  battle  of  Chanccllorsville,  and  the  Corps  from  June,  18G3;  at  ; 

j Gettysburg,  severely  wounded  ; on  recovery,  recruited  his  Corps  to  nearly* 

j 50,000  men,  and  in  18(i  l,  took  a leading  part  in  the  battles  in  Va. ; at  Spott-  ; 

i sylvania.  May  9-12,  won  a high  reputation  for  bravery,  skill  and  endurance  ; 

j May  18th  and  30th,  he  also  fought  severe  battles,  and  was  active  through  the 

) campaign  till  November,  18G4.  Ills  wounds  received  at  Gettysburg  breaking  f 

: out  afresh,  he  asked  to  be  relieved,  and  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  j' 

Veteran  Corps,  and,  on  Sheridan’s  withdrawing  from  the  Shenandoah,  to  the 
j Middle  Department,  in  March,  18G5  ; June  27,  18G5,  la;  was  assigned  to  the 

! permanent  command  of  that  Department. 


Gettysburg,  Penn. 


289 


columns  defeated  and  in  confusion  made  the  case  more  desperate  ; 
and  tlie  attack  on  Slocum  was  furious  even  to  madness.  But  the 
first  and  sixtii  corps  came  up  promptly  to  the  support  of  the 
twelfth,  and  sustained  it  in  an  unyielding  combat.  Until  half-past 
nine  o’clock,  the  battle  raged  with  unmitigated  fierceness.  The 
lines  moved  to  and  fro,  each  in  turn  advancing  and  falling  hack. 
At  this  liour  of  the  night  the  enemy  made  his  final  charge  on  the 
left  of  the  right  wing,  held  by  General  Geary’s  division.  lie  was 
repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter  and  refused  to  i-enew  the  attack. 
At  ten  o’clock  the  battle  ceased,  and  peaceful  quiet  reigned  over 
the  field  of  carnage. 

Ewell,  operating  against  the  extreme  Federal  right,  which  had 
been  weakened  by  the  withdrawal  of  troops  sent  over  to  support 
the  left,  had  succeeded  in  gaining  a foothold  wilhin  a portion  of 
the  Union  lines  near  Spangler’s  S[)ring.  This  was  the  only  advan- 
tage obtained  by  the  rebels  to  compen.satc  them  for  the  disasters  of 
the  day,  and  of  this  they  were  destined  to  bo  soon  deprived. 

During  the  night.  General  Meade  determined  to  dislodge  Ewell 
from  his  position,  and  as  a matter  of  personal  honor  assigned  the 
task  to  General  Slocum  who  had  previously  held  the  same  place. 
A division  of  the  sixth  corps  was  stationed  on  the  right  of  the 
twelfth  (Slocum’s),  thus  forming  the  extreme  outpost  of  the  right 
wing.  'I'hc  fifth  cori)s  was  sent  over  as  a reserve,  and  General 
’\Va<isworth’s  division  of  the  fir.st  corjjs  took  i)Ositiou  to  strengthen 
Howard's  right  where  it  joined  Slocum’s  left.  These  tvero  the 
preliminaries.  The  men  well  knew  the  fearful  character  of  the 
work  they  were  called  to  perform,  and  nerved  their  hearts  to 
the  ])crilous  task. 

On  Friday  morning,  at  four  o’clock,  Slocum’s  line  opened  a ter- 
rific fire  on  Ewell’s  men.  The  enemy  responded  in  a furious  charge, 
for  which  mode  of  fighting  they  were  justly  celebrated.  The  com- 
h.at  of  the  day  before,  on  the  left,  where  Longstrect  and  Hill 
fought  with  most  terrible  desi)eration  for  thi-ee  hours,  and  the  suc- 
ceeding battle  on  the  right  by  Ewell,  were  regarded  by  the  oldest 
ofiicers  as  the  most  obstinate  and  sanguinary  conllicts  of  the  war. 
Officers  and  men  had  been  slain  in  fearful  numbers.  But  the  enemy’s 
present  charge  in  response  to  Shjcum’s  fire  seemed  far  more 
fui  ioiis.  "With  fiendish  yells  and  seeming  contemiit  of  death,  dur- 
ing six  full  hoiii's,  they  Inu'led  their  solid  masses  .'ig.ainst  the  wcll- 
ded'ended  lines.  Tho  National  troops  .stood  like  a wall  (d'  fire, 
whose  llaniing  tongues  iuwrapped  in  death  whatever  came  near. 


290 


Oettyshwg,  Penn. 


whose  foundations  were  as  firm  as  if  one  witli  the  primal  rock  on 
which  they  rested.  Notliing  during  the  war  liad  equaled  this  six 
lioiirs  of  carnage.  In  front  of  Geary’s  position  were  more  rebel 
dead  than  the  number  of  the  entire  list  of  casualties  in  the  twelfth 
corps.  They  lay  in  bloody  mounds,  some  juerced  with  a single 
bullet-wound,  others  torn  and  mangled  in  the  most  frightfid  , 
manner. 

At  ten  o’clock,  Slocum  had  repulsed  and  driven  back  the  foe  at 
every  point,  and  reoccupied  his  original  position.  Sucli  was  the 
cheering  coinincncement  of  the  third  day’s  work,  and  with  it 
ended  all  serious  atteinjits  of  the  enemy  on  the  Union  right.  As 
on  the  pi’eccding  day,  Ids  efforts  were  now  mainly  directed  against 
the  left  center  and  left  wing. 

From  eleven  till  half-past  one  o’clock  all  was  still.  It  was  a 
solemn  pause  of  preparation,  as  if  both  parties  were  nerving  them- 
selves for  the  supreme  effort.  At  length  the  awful  silence,  more 
terrible  than  the  wildest  tumult  of  battle,  was  broken  by  the  roar 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty  pieces  of  artillery  from  the  opposite 
ridges,  joining  in  a cannonade  of  unsurpassed  violence — the  rebel 
batteries  along  two  thirds  of  their  line  pouring  their  fire  upon 
Cemetery  Hill  and  the  center  and  left  wing  of  the  Union  army. 
The  sight  and  sound  were  awfully  sublime.  The  hills  trembled 
with  the  concussion.  Tlie  deafening  thunder  filled  the  heavens; 
and  nature,  as  it  were,  stood  still  to  contemplate  the  scene.  Horses 
were  shot  down  by  scores,  gun  carriages  were  demolished,  pieces 
dismounted,  caissons  exploded,  whole  batteries  were  swept  away, 
and  cannouiers  and  officers  killed  and  wounded  in  numbers  almost 
incredible.  No  less  than  fifteen  caissons  were  exploded  on  the 
heights,  and  two  regular  batteries  on  the  right  of  the  cemetery 
were  completely  demolished. 

General  Howard’s  headquarters  were  in  the  grave-yard  from 
which  Cemetery  Hill  takes  its  name,  and  were  raked  in  a fearful 
manner ; men  fell  all  around  him,  hut  him.self  and  staff  escaped. 
The  silent  abodes  of  the  dead  were  shaken  by  the  tumult  of  buttle. 
Tombstones  and  beautiful  monuments  were  demolished  ; groat 
holes  were  torn  in  the  earth  by  the  explosion  of  shells;  and  the 
surface  was  checkered  with  ghastly  furrows. 

The  enemy, .having  in  this  way  attempted  unsuccessfully  to  shake 
the  Union  lines,  rallied  their  fi)rces  for  a last  grand  assault.  Their 
attack  was  princiiially,  directed  against  the  position  of  the  second 
corps.  Successive  lines  of  rebel  infantry  moved  forward  with 


Geityshw'g,  P&nn. 


293 


equal  spirit  and  steadiness  from  tlieir  cover  on  tlio  wooded  summit 
of  Seminary  Ridge,  crossing  tlie  intervening  plain,  supported  right 
and  left  by  their  choicest  brigades ; and  charged  furiously  up  to 
the  Federal  batteries.  The  bravo  troops  of  the  second  corps,  sup- 
ported by  Doubleday’s  division  and  Stannard’s  brigade  of  tlio  first, 
received  the  shock  with  firmness.  Tlie  ground  on  both  sides  was 
long  and  fiercely  contested  and  covered  with  the  killed  and  wound- 
ed ; till  after  “ a determined  and  gallant  struggle,”  as  it  was  pro- 
nounced by  General  Lee,  the  rebel  .advance  ednsisting  of  two  thirds 
of  Hill’s  corps  and  the  whole  of  Longstreet’s,  including  Ricketts’ 
division — the  Hite  of  his  corps  which  h.ad  not  yet  been  under  fire, 
and  w.as  now  de]>cndcd  u[)on  to  decide  the  fortunes  of  this  hast 
eventful  day — was  driven  back  with  f)rodigious  slaughter,  discom- 
fited and  broken.  "While  these  events  were  in  progre.ss  on  the  left 
center,  the  enemy  was  driven  by  the  I’ennsylvania  reserves  from  a 
strong  position  on  the  extremo  left,  from  which  he  was  annoying 
the  force  on  Little  Round  Top;  his  batteiy  was  taken,  and  300 
prisoners  were  captured.  In  the  terrific  assault  on  the  Union  cen- 
ter, Generals  Hancock  and  Gibbon  were  wounded.  In  the  rebel 
army,  Armistead,  Kemper,  Pettigrew,  and  Trimble  were  wounded — 
the  first-named  mortally,  the  latter  .also  made  prisoner;  while  Gen- 
eral Gaiaiett  w.as  killed  and  3,,')00  officers  and  men  were  c.aj)turcd. 

These  were  the  cx[)iring  ngonic.s  of  the  three  days’  conflict,  and 
with  them  the  b.attle  ceased.  It  had  been  fought  by  the  Union 
army  with  courage  and  skill,  from  the  first  cavalry  skirmish  on 
Wednesday  morning,  to  the  fearful  rout  of  the  enemy  on  Frid.ay 
afternoon.  Every  arm  of  the  service  and  eveiy  rank  had  distin- 
guished itself  alike— cavalry,  artillery,  and  infantty,  officers  and 
men.  The  two  armies  after  the  first  day  were  numerically  equal ; 
if  the  Union  force  had  the  advantage  of  a strong  position,  the  Con- 
federates, on  the  other  hand,  had  that  of  choosing  time  and  place, 
besides  the  prestige  of  former  victories  over  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, and  of  the  success  of  the  first  day’s  battle. 

All  hojie  of  defeating  his  op|)onent  having  now  vanished.  Gene- 
ral Lee  tb.ought  only  of  rescuing  the  remainder  of  his  shattered 
forces  from  destruction.  In  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  he  had, 
as  far  as  can  bo  ascertained,  suffered  a loss  of  about  37,000  men,  or 
rather  more  than  a third  of  the  army  with  which  bo  is  supposed  to 
have  entered  Pennsylvania.  Perceiving  that  his  only  safety  was 
in  rapid  retreat,  ho  commenced  withdrawing  his  troo[)S  at  day- 
break on  the  4th,  throwing  up  field-works  in  front  of  the  Union 


294 


Gettyshurj,  Pc7in. 


left,  wliich,  assuming  tlic  ai)i)earanco  of  a new  position,  were  in- 
tended iirobably  to  protect  tlio  rear  of  liis  army  wliilo  retiring. 
That  day  was  spent  in  hurrying  ofTliis  trains.  Tlie  main  army  was 
in  full  retreat  at  nightfall,  on  the  Caslitown  and  Fairfield  roads; 
and  moved  with  such  precipitation  that,  short  as  the  nights  were, 
the  rear-guard,  notwithstanding  a heavy  rain,  had  left  its  position 
by  daylight  the  following  morning. 

The  struggle  of  the  two  last  days  resembled  in  many  respects 
the  battle  of  AVaterloo;  and  if,  on  the  evening  of  the  third  day, 
General  ileade  had  been  favored  with  the  assistance  of  a powerful 
auxiliai-y  ai  iny  to  take  u[)  the  pursuit,  the  rout  of  the  rebels  would 
have  been  as  complete  as  that  of  Napoleon’s  forces.  Owing  to  the 
circumstances  above  named,  however,  the  intentions  of  the  enemy 
were  not  a[)parent  on  the  4th.  lJut  the  moment  his  retreat  was 
discovei'ed  the  following  morning,  he  was  pursued  by  the  Federal 
cavah-y,  on  the  Cashtown  road  and  in  the  Einmettsburg  and  Mon- 
terey passes,  and  by  Sedgwick’s  corps,  on  the  Fairfield  road.  Ilis 
rear-guard  was  briskly  attacked  at  Fairfield  ; a great  number  of 
wagons  and  ambulances  were  captured  in  the  passes  of  the  moun- 
tains; the  country  swarmed  with  his  stragglers;  and  his  wounded 
were  literally  emptied  from  the  vehicles  containing  them  into  the 
farm-houses  along  the  road.  Seven  thon.^and  five  hundred  wretched 
sufferers  were  thus  left  to  the  care  of  the  victors. 

Under  the  protection  of  the  mountain  ridge,  whoso  narrow 
passes  arc  easily  h-eld  by  a retreating  army.  General  Leo  reached 
AVilliamsi)ort  in  safety;  and  before  the  Union  army,  which  was 
compelled  to  advance  by  a flank  movement  through  kliddletown, 
could  overtake  and  force  him  to  a second  engagement,  ho  had 
escaped  across  the  Potomac  River. 

Such  is  the  history  of  the  ever-memorable  three  days  and  tho 
events  immediately  preceding  and  following.  Few  of  tho  great 
conflicts  of  modern  times  have  cost  victors  and  vaiKpii-shed  so  vast 
a sacrifice.  On  the  Union  side  there  fell  in  tho  whole  campaign  : 
of  generals  killed,  Reynolds,  AVecd,  and  Zook ; and  wounded. 
Generals  Harlow,  Uarnes,  Ihitterlleld,  Doubleday,  Gibbon,  Gra- 
ham, Hancock,  Sickles,  and  AV'arren  ; while  of  men  and  ofiicers 
below  the  rank  of  general,  there  were  2,834  killed,  18,709  wound- 
ed, and  0,(543  missing.  On  the  Confedei-ato  side  there  were  killed 
on  the  field  or  mortally  wounded,  Geuer.als  Armistead,  Barksdale, 
Garnett,  Finder,  Pettigrew,  and  Semmes  ; and  wounded,  lleth, 
Uood,  Johnson,  Kemper,  Kimball,  and  Trinible.  Of  men  and  offi- 


Helena^  Ark.  295 

cer3  below  the  rank  of  general,  there  were  taken  prisoners,  includ- 
ing the  wounded,  13,021,  an  amount  ascertained  officially.  The 
killed,  the  W'ounded  in  a condition  to  ho  removed,  and  the 
missing  have  been  estimated,  from  the  best  data  which  the  nature 
of  the  case  admits,  at  23,000.  It  has  been  pretended,  in  order  to 
diminish  the  magnitude  of  this  disaster  to  the  rebel  cause,  that  it 
was  merely  the  repulse  of  an  attack  on  a strongly  defended  posi- 
tion. But  the  tremendous  losses  on  both  sides  are  a sufficient 
answer  to  this  misrepresentation,  and  attest  the.unsurpassed  courage 
and  obstinacy  with  which  the  three  days’  battle  was  waged, 

■■  ■ ■■  - 

HELENA,  ARK. 

July  4, 18G3. 

VnionUtHy  under  General  Prenii^fi.^  4,000  to  5,000.  Killed,  ucounded,  and 
ing,  250. 

Diaunionista,  under  General  ITolniea,  Pi-ice,  and  ^[armaduke,  15,000.  Killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners,  2,500. 

July  4th,  a rebel  force,  15,000  strong,  marched  upon  Helena, 
Ark.,  for  the  two-fold  purpose  of  getting  possession  of  stores  of 
various  kinds,  and  intercepting,  for  a time  at  least,  all  communica- 
tions between  Grant’s  army  and  the  north.  Their  troops  were 
under  command  of  General  Holmes,  with  divisions  under  Generals 
Parsons  and  McCray,  a brigade  under  Shelby,  and  some  artillery. 
Marmaduke  was  also  there  with  his  cavalry. 

Generals  Parsons  and  McCray  were  ordered  to  advance  on  the 
center,  where  -were  rifle-pits  and  three  redoubts  near  the  cemetery 
in  the  rear  of  the  town.  They  seized  the  rifle-pits  and  carried  two 
redoubts  containing  three  guns.  Several  regiments  were  then 
directed  to  march  on  Helena.  As  they  advanced  they  had  to  de- 
scend a very  steep  hill  into  a valley  below.  On  the  crest  and  down 
the  slope  they  were  swept  aw.ay  by  hundreds.  With  a storm  of 
missiles  still  falling  upon  them,  they  entered  the  valley,  and  there 
were  compelled  to  surrender  at  mid-day.  They  expected  reinforce- 
ments to  come  to  their  relief;  but  assistance  failing  to  arrive,  human 
endurance  could  no  longer  hold  out  against  the  fearful  assault. 

The  rebels  had  marched  more  than  eight  miles  that  morning, 
over  extremely  rough  ground  ; and  many  of  them  w'ero  overcome 
with  fatigue  when  they  entered  the  action ; their  losses  were  heavy. 


296 


Monterey^  Va. — Port  Hudson,  La. 


MONTEREY,  VA. 

ilui.Y  6,  18C3. 

Unionists^  under  General  Kilpatrick^  one  divUion.  Lossen  none. 

DisuniimistSy  under  General  JoneSy  one  brigade.  KilUdy  not  reported;  prison^ 
evSy  000,  200  of  which  were  wounded. 

July  5tli,  a brigade  of  rebel  cavalry  advanced  upon  a reconnois- 
sance  to  Mecbanicstown,  fifteen  miles  from  Frederick.  General 
Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  attacked  them  vigorously  ; when  they  retired, 
after  a feeble  resistance. 

The  same  day  Kilpatrick  intercepted  a retreating  train  of  rebel 
wagons,  guarded  by  Jones’  brigade  of  cavalry,  infantry,  and  artil- 
lery, near  ilontercy,  on  tlie  Hagerstown  and  Gettysburg  road.  The 
enemy  were  completely  taken  by  surprise;  and,  unable  to  make  any 
serious  resistance,  they  almost  instantly  gave  way,  and  fled  in  dis- 
may, leaving  behind  them  900  prisoners,  200  of  which  were  dis- 
abled officers.  The  Union  troops  also  captured  150  wagons  and 
two  guns. 


PORT  HUDSON,  LA. 

July  8,  1863. 

Unionists,  under  General  Banks,  42,000.  Casualties  none. 

Disunionisls,  under  General  Gardner,  6,500.  Killed,  0;  wounded,  0;  prison- 
ers, 5,500. 

'While  the  national  heart  yet  throbbed  exultantly  over  the  fall 
of  Vicksburg — the  rebel  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi — the  news 
of  the  surrender  of  Port  Hudson  flew  on  swift  wings  over  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  Again  loyal  hearts  were  quick- 
ened in  their  pulsation,  and  moved  to  grateful  thanksgivings  for 
the  repeated  blessing  of  Providence  upon  the  Union  arms.* 

As  the  “ Stars  and  Stripes”  were  unfurled,  and  floated  proudly 
over  Port  Hudson,  the  effect  upon  the  Union  forces  was  electrical. 
Joyful  salutes  were  quickly  fired  on  land  and  water ; the  various 
regimental  bands  broke  forth  in  soul-stirring  airs;  while  soldiers 
and  sailors  caught  up  the  refrain,  and  glad  acclamations  resounded 
on  every  side. 

The  formal  surrender  of  this  rebel  stronghold  occurred  July  8th. 
The  previous  day  General  Gardner,  after  pondering  the  dispatch 
from  General  Grant  announcing  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  (a  copy  of 
which  was  passed  to  him  over  the  parapets),  dispatched  an  officer 
asking  on  what  terms  the  surrender  would  be  accepted.  The 


297 


Yazoo  City,  3Iiss. 

message  was  immediately  forwarded  to  General  Banks’  headquar- 
ters ; an  answer  was  returned,  declaring  that  the  surrender  must 
be  without  reserve.  The  terms  were  acceded  to ; and  a short 
time  was  allowed  for  compliance.  Twenty-four  hours  were 
granted ; hut  General  Gardner  had  completed  arrangements  be- 
fore the  time  expired.  At  twelve  o’clock  on  the  8th  of  tTuly 
the  Union  forces  entered  Port  Hudson.  The  victors  found 
the  enemy,  to  the  number  of  4,000,  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle, 
W'ith  arras  stacked  in  front  of  them.  In  addition  to  this  number 
there  were  1,500  sick  and  wounded.  The  wounds  had  been  inflicted 
by  the  Union  sharp  shooters,  and  were  generally  very  severe.  Dis- 
ease had  made  fearful  ravages  in  the  garrison  ; as  they  were  almost 
totally  destitute  of  medicines.  Their  last  crust  was  gone,  and  for 
some  daj’s  they  had  subsisted  on  small  rations  of  mule  meat.  Six 
thousand  rations  were  at  once  drawn  from  the  commissariat  of  the 
Union  army,  and  the  hunger  of  the  famishing  soldiers  was  appeased. 

The  c.ampaign  against  Port  Hudson  was  an  exceedingly  laborious 
one,  and  inwrought  with  many  events  of  touching  sadness  and 
solemnity.  The  heroism  of  the  Federal  soldiers  will  embalm  the 
memory  of  the  fallen,  and  gild  the  fame  of  the  surviving.  Their 
leader  has  engraven  his  name  in  living  characters  on  a glowing  page 
of  his  country’s  history. 

General  Banks  reported  to  General  Hallcck  the  capture  of  6,600 
prisoners,  twenty  pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  thirty-one  pieces  of  field 
artillery,  44,800  pounds  of  cannon  powder,  5,000  stands  of  arms, 
and  150,000  rounds  of  small-arra  ammunition,  also  two  steamers. 


YAZOO  CITY,  MISS. 

July  13,  1863. 

Union  land  force^  under  General  TTerroH,  5,000  ; naval  force^  under  Lieutenant 
^Valker^  confuting  of  four  gjin^-hoaie.  Loesea^  not  reported. 

Lieunioni^te.,  under  General  Johnston^  800.  Killed  and  icounded,  not  reported  ; 
prisoners^  260. 

It  being  reported  that  General  Johnston  ivas  fortifying  Yazoo 
City  with  heavy  guns,  and  assembling  troops  there  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  supplies  for  his  army  from  the  Yazoo  country,  Major- 
General  Grant  and  Admii-al  Porter  conferred  together,  and  deter- 
mined to  send  a naval  .and  military  cx])cdition  to  that  point. 

The  De  Kalb,  New  N.ational,  Kenwood,  and  Signal  were  dis- 
p.atched,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Walker,  with  a military 


force  nuinbering  5,000,  under  General  ITerron.  Tlie  De  Kalb 
first  advanced  to  tbe  city  and  engaged  the  batteries,  which  were 
prepared  to  give  her  a warm  rece[)tion.  After  ascertaining  their 
strength,  she  dropped  back,  to  notify  the  commander  of  the  mili- 
tary force.  lie  immediately  landed  his  men;  and  the  army  and 
navy  made  a combined  attack  on  the  enemy’s  works.  The  rebels 
soon  fled,  abandoning  everything  to  the  Unionists,  and  set  fire  to 
four  of  their  finest  transports. 

The  army  pursued  the  retreating  foe,  and  captured  their  rear- 
guard of  260  men.  Six  heavy  guns,  one  vessel — formerly  a gun- 
boat,— and  all  the  munitions  of  war  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
pursuers. 

The  Do  Kalb  was  unfortunately  lost ; she  was  blown  up  by  a tor- 
pedo, and  sunk  in  shallow  water:  none  of  the  crew  perished. 


ELK  CREEK,  ARK. 

July  1G,  1363. 

UnionisUy  under  General  2,400.  Killed^  10  ; woitnded^  30 ; priaonerSy  0. 

DisunionisUy  under  General  Coopery  5,000.  Killedy  60;  woandedy  2i‘y  priaon- 

ei'Sy  100. 

July  IGth  a sharply  contested  fight  occurred  between  the  forces 
under  General  Blunt  and  General  Cooper’s  rebel  troops,  which 
resulted  in  the  complete  rout  of  the  latter. 

Ascertaining  that  the  enemy  had  fallen  back  from  Fort  Gibson, 
General  Blunt,  with  2,400  men  and  twelve  guns,  started  in  pursuit. 
After  a march  of  fifty  miles,  accomplished  in  twenty-four  hours, 
he  found  the  rebels,  6,000  strong,  in  position  on  Elk  Creek,  and 
immediately  opened  an  attack.  Ilis  artillery  dismounted  two 
rebel  guns,  which  were  afterward  captured.  The  enemy  made 
strong  resistance  and  evinced  much  heroism,  but  were  finally  put 
to  flight  by  a desperate  charge  of  the  Union  cavalry.  They  lost 
100  prisoners,  and  eighty-four  killed  and  wounded. 


299 


I 


I 


I 

I 


Jackson,  Miss. 

JACKSON,  MISS. 

JCLY  16,  1803. 

VnionUt^y  under  General  Sherman.,  numbers  not  reported.  Killed^  xoounded^  and 
missing  (duHng  the  entire  expedition).,  1,000. 

Disunionisis,  under  General  Johnston.,  numbers  not  stated.  Killed,  xcounded, 
and  prisoners,  400, 

As  soon  as  Vicksburg  capitulated,  General  Sherman  was  sent  in 
pursuit  of  Johnston’s  forces,  who  had  retired  to  Jackson,  Miss.  On 
the  15th  of  July,  portions  of  the  Union  forces,  under  General 
Parke,  made  an  attack  on  Jackson,  and  met  a legion  of  new  recruits 
from  South  Carolina,  who  after  an  engagement  of  half  an  hour, 
retreated  with  a loss  of  300  men.  The  Unionists  oceupied  their 
position  till  the  next  morning ; when  they  made  a second  advance, 
and  discovered  to  their  astonishment  that  the  enemy  had  evacuated 
the  city,  setting  fire  to  a number  of  houses  containing  commissary 
and  quartermaster’s  stores,  which  were  totally  consumed,  with  the 
addition  of  forty  other  buildings,  ignited  from  the  buildings  fired  by 
the  flying  foe. 

The  news  of  the  evacuation  spread  among  the  camps  with  tele- 
gr.aphic  speed.  Notwithstanding  orders  were  issued  by  the  general 
officer,  for  the  Union  soldiers  to  remain  in  their  camps,  some  of  the 
men  pushed  through  the  line  across  the  fields,  into  the  rebel  works, 
and  thei’co  into  Jackson.  For  a short  lime,  acts  of  unmitigated 
plunder  followed,  and  on  every  hand  wild  confusion  reigned 
triumphant.  But  the  arrival  of  General  Blair  soon  restored  order. 
Establishing  bis  headquarters  at  the  Governor’s  mansion,  he  sent 
out  p.atrol  guards  to  arrest  stragglers,  and  afford  protection  to  the 
few  inhabitants  remaining  in  the  place. 

The  rebel  fortifications  at  Jackson  were  of  great  strength  and 
extent.  For  two  months  the  enemy  had  been  employed  day  and 
night  in  strengthening  the  position.  Every  convergent  road  to  the 
city  w.as  covered  by  artillery.  In  the  immediate  front  of  their 
works  was  a strong  and  impassable  ahattis  of  fallen  trees.  The 
principal  line  of  fortifications  was  made  of  bales  of  cotton,  and  two 
thousand  bales  had  been  employed  in  its  construction.  The  cotton 
was  among  the  most  valuable  booty  that  fell  into  the  liands  of  the 
Unionists.  Some  miscellaneous  lots  of  the  precious  staple  in  and 
about  the  city  increased  the  amount  to  threo  thousand  hales.  In 
addition  to  the  cotton,  largo  quantities  of  artillery  and  musketry 
ammunition  were  obtained.  They  also  captured  some  twenty  or 
tliirty  railroad  cars  and  other  railroad  equipments.  The  enemy 

14 


300 


Fort  Wagner,  S.  C. 


retreated  toward  tlio  Alabama  lino,  and  General  Slierman  returned 
to  Vicksburg  to  recui)erato  bis  forces. 


FORT  WAGNER,  S.  C. 

July  10  to  IS,  1S63. 

Union  land  force^  under  General  Gilniore;  naval  force^  under  Admiral  DahU 

<jren.  Total  1,000, 

J}Uunioniiitf{^  under  General  Beauregard,  Killed^  500 ; wounded^  231. 

The  land  and  naval  forces  operating  in  front  of  Charleston  harbor, 
under  General  Gilmore,  made  an  attack  on  the  enemy’s  fortified 
position  at  the  south  end  of  Morris  Island  at  five  o’clock  on  the 
morning  of  July  10th.  After  an  engagement  of  three  hours  and  a 
quarter,  the  Unionists  captured  all  the  rebel  strongholds  on  that 
part  of  the  island,  and  pushed  forward  their  infantry  to  within  600 
yards  of  Fort  Wagner. 

The  assaulting  column,  commanded  by  General  Strong,  was 
landed  in  small  boats,  under  cover  of  the  Union  batteries  and  of 
four  Monitors — led  by  Admiral  Dahlgreu— which  entered  the  main 
channel  abreast  of  Morris  Island  soon  after  the  batteries  opened. 
The  iron-clads  continued  their  destructive  fire  upon  Fort  Wagner 
during  the  day,  doing  fearful  execution  among  the  men,  guns,  and 
the  nicely  sodded  bastions  and  angles. 

On  the  morning  of  the  11th,  at  daybreak,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  carry  the  fort  by  assault.  The  parapet  was  gained ; but  the 
supporting  party  recoiled  under  the  galling  fire  to  which  they  were 
exposed,  and  could  not  be  brought  up ; the  assaulting  force  were 
consequently  driven  from  the  fort  with  a loss  of  100  men.  The 
Union  losses  in  both  actions  did  not  exceed  150  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing.  The  enemy  lost  eleven  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  and 
a large  quantity  of  camp  equipage ; their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 
was  about  200. 

The  Union  troops  continued  to  plant  batteries  privately  close  up 
to  Fort  Wagner,  and  made  extensive  preparations  for  a renewed 
assault  on  the  18th  of  July.  The  morning  dawned  inauspiciously ; 
it  having  rained  the  previous  night,  the  sky  was  overcast  with 
heavy  clouds.  The  first  gun  from  the  Union  batteries  was  fired  at 
nine  o’clock ; the  shell  burst  in  the  air,  just  over  the  fort,  announc- 
ing the  opening  of  the  attack.  A large  number  of  guns  and  mor- 
tars now  opened  upon  the  rebel  stronghold,  firing  shells  exclusively, 
and  with  great  precision.  AVagner  and  Sumter  soon  began  a heavy 


; M:ijor-(Jeii.  ^"oIs.,  horn  in  Hlnck  llivcr,  Lorain  Co.,  Ohio,  in  1828,  grarlnalcd  i 

at  West  Point  in  1849,  fn-st  in  his  class.  Brevet  2d-Liout.  Engincei-s,  1849  ; \ 

; Engineer  on  fortifications  in  Hampton  Roads,  1849-52  ; from  1852  to  185G,  { 

' Ass't  In.structor  in  Pract.  Engineering  at  West  Point ; Ist-Lieut.  Engineers, 

) July,  1856  ; Quartermaster  and  Treasurer  at  West  Point,  1856  ; from  1856 

) to  1861,  in  N.  Y.  City,  selecting,  purchasing  and  forwarding  materials  for 

; fortifications,  and  constructing  fort  at  Sandy  Hook;  Aug.  6,  1861,  Capt.  of 

: Engineers  ; Oct.,  1861,  on  Gen.  T.  AV.  .Sherman’s  Staff  in  S.  C.  E.xpcdition  ; ■■ 

April  28, 1862,  Brig.-Gen.  A'’ols. ; in  Feb.,  1862,  began  the  Siege  of  Fort  ; 

: Pulaski;  captured  it  April  11, 1862  ; Sept.,  1862,  commanded  Dist.  AA^.  A’^a., 

} and  soon  after  a Division  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  ; March  30,  1863,  defeat-  | 

■;  cd  Pegram  at  Somerset,  Xy. ; June  12,  1863,  appointed  to  Dep’t  of  South  ; 

( captured  Morris  Island;  reduced  Forts  AVagner  and  Gregg,  and  battered 

} down  Fort  Sumter;  in  April,  1864,  called,  with  the  10th  and  18th  Corps, 

} to  reinforce  the  Army  of  the  James;  June  10th,  1864,  ordered  to  attack 

I Petersburg,  but  failed ; continued  with  the  Army  of  the  James  till  Feb.  j 

) 10, 1865,  when  he  returned  to  Dei>'t  of  .South  ; June  27,  1865,  appointed  to 

) command  Department  of  S.  C.  : 


I 


Fort  Wagner^  S.  C. 


303. 


response,  exploding  tlieir  shells  over  the  works,  but  generally  too 
soon  or  too  late  to  cause  serious  injury  ; other  rebel  forts  also 
joiued  in  the  cannonade,  but  owing  to  want  of  accurate  range  did 
not  inflict  material  damage. 

At  eleven  o’clock  the  iron-clads  approached  within  three  fourths 
of  a mile  of  Fort  Wagner,  and  concentrated  their  efforts  upon  it, 
the  guns  and  mortars  continuing  their  rapid  fire.  Fort  Sumter 
belched  forth  angrily,  and  other  forts  chimed  in  ; yet  but  few  cas- 
ualties occurred  among  the  Unionists.  For  seven  liours  the  land 
and  naval  batteries  continued  the  cannon<ade,  and  still  the  Confede- 
rate flag  waved  above  the  fort.  The  afternoon  waned,  and  the  roar 
of  guns  on  land  and  sea  gradually  ceased.  After  a brief  consulta- 
tion among  the  officers,  it  was  decided  to  storm  the  fort.  In  a few 
minutes,  signals  were  made  from  the  top  of  the  lookout,  and  imme- 
diately generals  and  colonels,  directing  divisions  and  brigades, 
were  seen  galloping  to  tbe  headquarters  of  the  commanding  gene- 
ral. They  conferred  together  for  a brief  interval,  and  then  hastened 
back  to  their  respective  commands.  Officers  shout ; bugles  sound  ; 
the  word  of  command  is  given  ; and  the  soldiers  on  Morris  Island 
sjiriug  from  their  lurking-places,  fall  into  line,  march  to  the  beach, 
are  quickly  organized  in  new  brigades,  and  in  solid  column  stand 
ready  to  move  to  tho  do.adly  .assault. 

The  shades  of  night  slowly  gather  over  tho  scene.  Just  as 
darkness  began  to  prevail.  General  Strong  rode  forward  and  ordered 
his  brigade  to  move  to  tho  front.  At  tho  instant,  the  lino  was  seen 
slowly  advancing,  in  the  dusk,  toward  the  fort.  A tremendous  firo 
from  the  barbette  guns  on  Fort  Sumter,  from  the  batteries  on  Cum- 
ming’s  Point,  and  from  .all  tbe  guns  on  Fort  Wagner  opened  simul- 
taneously upon  it.  The  guns  from  the  batter  swept  the  beach,  and 
those  from  Sumter  and  Cumming’s  Point  enfiladed  it  on  the  left. 
In  this  terrible  tempest  of  shot  and  shell  the  assaulting  party 
reached  the  fort,  dashed  through  the  ditches,  gained  the  parapet, 
and  engaged  in  a hand-to-hand  fight  with  the  enemy.  For  neaily 
thirty  minutes  they  held  their  ground,  and  did  not  fall  back  till 
they  lost  nearly  every  commissioned  officer.  The  Fifty-fourth  Mas- 
sachusetts (negro)  Regiment  went  boldly  into  battle,  for  the  second 
time,  commanded  by  their  brave  colonel ; and  came  out,  led  by  a 
lieutenant. 

Tbe  first  brigade,  under  Gener.al  Strong,  failing  to  take  tho  fort, 
the  second  brig.adc,  led  by  Colonel  Putnam,  advanced  to  tho  peril- 
ous undertaking.  Through  the  same  deadly  fire,  over  and  into  tho 


304  Honey  Springs,  Indian  Ter. 

fort,  lie  lead  Ids  bravo  comiiiand.  For  an  hour,  ho  held  one  half 
of  it,  fighting  every  inoincnt  of  that  time  with  maddened  despera- 
tion ; and  it  was  not  till  ho  himself  fell,  and  nearly  all  the  commis- 
sioned ofiieers  were  wounded,  and  no  reinforcements  arrived,  that 
the  brave  men  fall  back,  and  the  rebel  shout  and  cheer  of  victory 
was  heard  above  the  cannon’s  roar.  In  this  assault  Colonel  Tur- 
ner (of  Gilmore’s  staff)  stood  at  General  Putnam’s  side  when  he 
fell,  and  with  voice  and  sword  urged  on  the  thinned  ranks  to  a 
final  charge;  but  it  was  too  late.  The  third  brigade  had  not  arriv- 
ed; it  was  madness  for  the  remnant  of  the  second  to  remain  longer 
under  the  deadly  fire.  They  fought  their  way  back  to  their 
intrenchments ; and  in  their  retreat  sustained  severe  loss. 

The  roar  of  battle  died  away ; the  ocean  beach  was  thickly 
strewn  with  the  wounded,  the  dead,  .and  the  dying.  Fearful  wails 
of  anguish  swept  the  midnight  air ; faint  lights  glimmered  in  the 
sand-boles  and  rifle-pits ; and  steadfast  in  his  place  many  a wounded 
bleeding  soldier  lay  down  to  his  last  sleep.  Yet  the  kindly  h.and 
was  there  to  staunch  the  gory  wound  and  bind  up  the  shattered 
limb;  but  too  often  the  cold  fixed  gaze  told  plainly  that  its  loving 
ministrations  were  in  vain. 


HONEY  SPEINGS,  INDIAN  TEE. 

Jui-Y  18,  1863. 

UnionidH.^  'tinder  General  3,000.  Killed.,  9 ; 'wounded.,  60. 

J>iHunioniU:i^  under  General  Cooper.,  6,000.  Killed.,  f>0;  wounded,  75; 
ers,  65. 

Genekal  Blunt,  with  a command  of  3,000  men,  including  infan- 
try and  cavalry  in  equal  numbers,  engaged  General  Cooper  with 
C,000  Confederate  troops,  at  Honey  Springs,  on  the  18th  of  July.  A 
brilliant  action  ensued.  The  enemy  resisted  obstinately  for  some 
time,  but  were  finally  compelled  to  retreat;  and  the  Unionists 
pursued  till  the  rebels  were  completely  routed. 

Three  pieces  of  artillery,  seventy-five  stands  of  small-arms,  and 
$250,000  worth  of  stores  and  other  property  were  captured.  The 
Confederates  lost  195  in  the  contest;  the  Union  loss  did  not  exceed 
fifty-nine. 

On  the  evening  of  this  victory,  the  flying  troops  met  a brig.ado 
marching  to  reinforce  them.  Deficiency  of  numbers  and  lack  of 
ammunition,  together  with  the  utter  exhaustion  of  the  men,  pre- 
vented General  Blunt  from  renewing  the  attack. 


Lawreixce,  Kansas. — Fort  Sumter.,  S.  C.  305 

LAWRENCE,  KANSAS. 

Aooufix  21, 1863. 

Unionisi/ty ‘ttnder  General  LctnCy^O.  Killed  {including  citisens)^  200;  waundedy 
not  reported. 

Di^unionietSy  under  the  guerrilla  chief  Quantrely  nearly  800.  Killedy  about  100,* 
woxtndedy  not  reported^ 

About  four  o’clock,  on  tlie  inortiiug  of  August  21st,  tlio  notori- 
ous guerrilla  chief  Quantrcl,  at  the  head  of  nearly  800  mounted 
rangers,  surprised  and  attacked  the  defenseless  city  of  Lawrence. 

Having  placed  a guard  around  the  town  to  prevent  the  escape  of 
the  citizens,  he  commenced  an  indiscriminate  pillage,  slaughter,  and 
burning.  Stores,  hotels,  private  dwellings,  etc.,  were  ruthlessly 
broken  open,  rilled  of  their  most  valuable  contents,  and  set  on  fire; 
while  their  owners  or  inmates,  just  aroused  from  their  beds  and 
seeking  safety  in  flight,  were  barbarously  shot  down,  and  left  to 
perish  in  the  flames. 

Thus  nearly  $2,000,000  worth  of  property  was  stolen  or  destroyed 
by  conflagration,  and  about  200  of  the  inhabitants  savagely  mur- 
dered. But  this  cold-blooded  outrage  did  not  pass  unavenged. 
General  Joseph  II.  Lane,  who  escaped  on  horseback,  succeeded  in 
rallying  about  twenty  men,  fully  armed  and  equipped,  and  pursued 
the  retreating  foe.  The  latter,  scattered  in  small  bands  and  laden 
with  excessive  plunder,  were  overtaken  at  various  points,  and 
nearly  100  slain.  The  greater  i)art  of  their  booty  also  was  recov- 
ered ; and  the  remnant  of  the  gang  driven  beyond  the  border  of 
the  State  and  effectually  broken  up. 


EORT  SUMTER,  S.  C. 

August  17  to  23,  1SG3. 

Union  land  forcey  under  General  GUlmore ; navid  forcCy  under  Rear-Admiral 
Dahlgren.  LoaseSyiiot  reported, 

DUunionhtSy  under  General  Beauregard,  LosseSy  not  reported, 

Foirr  SuMTEU,  which  had  withstood  so  successfully  the  powerful 
attack  of  the  iron-clad  fleet  under  Rear-Admiral  Dupont,  in  April, 
was  again  destined  to  suffer  a terrific  bombardment;  but  this  time 
not  only  from  a naval  force  of  incre.ased  strength,  but  also  from  a 
powerful  land  force  whose  batteries  mounted  the  most  terrible  ord- 
nance known  in  modern  warfare.  These  batteries  were  located  on 
Morris  Island,  at  a distance  of  about  two  miles  from  Sumter; 
between  which  and  the  former  was  Fort  Wagner,  still  occupied  by 
rebel  forces,  and  bidding  defiance  alike  to  siege  and  assault. 


¥ 


■306 


Fort  Sumter,  S.  C. 


General  Gilmore,  liaving  gradually  advanced  Ids  parallels  to 
wiLliin  a few  hundred  yards  of  Fort  Wagner,  and  being  thus  far 
successfully  resisted,  determined  to  turn  his  attention  for  a time 
chiefly  to  Fort  Sumter;  regarding  that  as  the  key  to  tlie  situation, 
and  confident  that,  with  its  reduction,  the  minor  works  on  Morris 
Island  would  fall  by  their  own  weight. 

Accordingly,  at  daybreak,  on  the  morning  of  August  ITth,  an 
attack  having  been  previously  concerted  with  the  fleet.  General 
Gilhnore  opened  all  his  batteries  on  the  sentinel-fortress,  firing  over 
Fort  Wagner  and  the  broad  intermediate  space.  At  the  same  time 
Admiral  Dahlgren  moved  up  the  whole  available  naval  force — lead- 
ing, with  the  flag,  in  the  monitor  Weehawken, — and  commenced  a 
furious  bombardment  of  batteries  Gregg  and  Wagner.  The  latter, 
j)lowed  througli  and  through  by  a steady  and  well-directed  fire,  and 
in  some  parts  reduced  to  a mere  confused  sand-heap,  was  silenced 
shortly  after  nine  o’clock. 

kfeanwhilc,  the  ponderous  .shot  and  shell  of  Gillmorc’s  batteries 
had  worked  eflectually  on  the  gorge^of  Sumter.  Yet  its  massive 
walls  of  brick,  shielded  by  various  outward  protections,  were  to 
endure  a more  furious  cannonade.  At  ten  o’clock.  Admiral  Dahl- 
gren changed  his  flag  to  the  Passaic — which  thus  far,  with  the 
Patapsco,  had  been  held  in  reserve — and  conducting  both  theso 
vessels  to  within  2,000  yards  of  the  fort,  directed  the  terrible  bolts 
of  their  rilled  cannon,  for  nearly  an  hour,  against  its  sea-wall. 
About  fifty  return  shots  were  fired,  but  failed  of  llieir  mark,  or  fell 
harmless  against  the  heavy  iron-plating  of  the  klonitors  ; while  the 
face  of  Sumter,  on  the  contrary,  was  fearfully  gored. 

The  land  batteries  continued  their  fire  during  the  whole  day. 
But  Fort  Sumter  scarcely  replied.  Toward  evening  several  crater.s, 
five  or  six  feet  in  depth,  were  visible  in  its  southwest  side;  and  the 
sand  traverse  or  barricade  wliich  had  been  thrown  up  to  protect 
the  gorge  about  the  sallyport  presented  an  irregular  mass,  but  still 
in  such  a j)osition  as  to  afford  considerable  cover  to  the  wall. 

With  gray  twilight  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  the  bombard- 
ment was  renewed.  Additional  guns  had  been  placed  in  position, 
and  opened  with  marked  effect.  But  in  consequence  of  a severe 
gale,  the  fleet  was  unable  to  co-operate  effectually.  Fort  Sumter, 
as  on  the  day  previous,  was  nearly  silent,  and  the  Union  batteries 
were  replied  to  chiefly  by  Wagner  and  Gregg.  As  night  closed  in, 
the  result  of  the  firing  was  observable  in  the  enlargement  of  the 
craters  before  mentioned,  in  the  formation  of  several  new  ones,  the 


Fort  Sumter,  S.  C. 


309 


destruction  of  the  parapets,  the  tearing  away  of  the  coping,  and 
the  demolition  of  tlie  iiortliwest  corner — wliich  was  gashed  and 
cracked  down  nearly  to  the  w ater’s  edge. 

The  third  day  of  the  bombardment  witnessed  the  same  destruc- 
tive firing ; less  rapid,  perhaps,  but  more  accurate,  the  gunners 
having  obtained  the  range  more  perfectly.  Fort  Sumter  discharged 
but  a single  gun,  and  tlie  only  rebel  batteries  that  seemed  really 
alive  were  those  on  James  Island.  The  firing  was  ke[)t  up  regularly 
through  the  night.  Shots  were  now  breaking  completely  through 
the  fort,  and  passing  out  on  the  farther  side ; so  that  the  northerly 
harbor-channel  could  be  distinctly  seen  through  the  grim  apertures 
in  the  ruined  walls.  According  to  a Charleston  dispatch,  of  this 
date,  to  the  Richmond  papers,  all  the  guns  on  the  south  face  of  the 
fort  were  disabled. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  the  siege,  the  firing  was  exceedingly  heavy ; 
although  the  Monitors  did  not  even  advance  toward  the  rebel 
works.  About  noon  Fort  IVagner  opened  a severe  cannonade  on 
the  land  batteries,  but  was  soon  silenced  by  shot  and  shell  from  the 
Ironsides. 

The  fifth  day,  the  land  batteries  not  only  maintained  their  fire  on 
Fort  Sumter;  but  also,  in  conjunction  w'ith  the  lleet,  poured  in  a 
fearful  shower  of  missiles  on  batteries  Gregg  and  Wagner. 

On  the  sixth  and  last  day  of  this  continuous  bombardment,  the 
Monitors,  coming  within  close  range  of  the  fort,  hurled  an  iron 
tempest  u[)on  it,  from  east  to  w'est;  while  the  land  batteries  swept 
its  shattered  walls,  as  with  a besom  of  destruction,  from  south  to 
north.  The  rebel  journals  report,  on  this  occasion,  G04  shots  fired, 
of  which  419  struck  outside  and  inside. 

As  the  result  of  this  week’s  conflict,  it  was  announced  that  Fort 
Sumter  w.as  “an  immense  ruin.” 

The  anticipated  surrender,  however,  did  not  occur.  Protected 
beneath  bomb-proofs  securely  constructed  in  the  depths  of  the  fort, 
and  now  overwhelmed  with  vast  piles  of  rubbish,  a strong  garri- 
son still  remained,  ready  on  the  instant  to  resist  assault ; or  as  soon 
as  there  was  a lull  in  the  attack,  to  heap  up  new  breast-works  and 
remount  their  scattered  cannon. 


310 


Fort  Sumter,  S.  C. 


FORT  SUMTER,  S.  C, 

Septum  UEU  8,  t8G3. 

Union  force^y  under  Captain  TJiomaa  II.  Stevena.  Killedy  3 ; ^ooundcd  and  miis» 

inQy  114. 

Diannion forces y under  General  Beauregard.  LoaseSy  not  reported. 

A 150AT  expedition  having  been  organized  for  an  assault  on  Fort 
Sumter  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Captain  Thomas  11. 
Stevens,  of  the  monitor  Patapsco.  It  consisted  of  five  divisions,  oc- 
cupying twenty  boats;  and  comprised  besides  officers,  293  sailors 
and  120  marines. 

The  plan  of  attack  was  to  approach  the  fort,  under  the  cover  of 
night,  and  assail  it  at  two  points:  one  party  landing  on  the  gorge 
wall,  with  the  intention  of  ascending  the  ruins  and  gaining  the 
parapet ; while  a second  was  to  attempt  an  entrance  through  the 
lower  embrasures.  A third  party  was  to  hold  itself  in  reserve. 

The  expedition  started  at  eleven  o’clock.  The  night  was  exceed- 
ingly dark;  and  as  the  boats  moved  cautiously  with  mutlled  oars, 
they  seemed  like  gloomy  specters  gliding  over  the  face  of  the 
waters.  But  as  they  neared  the  forts,  the  slight  plashing  caused 
by  the  rowers  aroused  the  sentinel,  who  instantly  challenged  them. 
Receiving  no  satisfactory  answer,  he  discharged  liis  musket  to 
awake  the  sleei)ing  garrison.  Immediately  the  sailors  sprang  to 
their  oars,  and  the  boats  darted  forward  at  fall  speed.  But  when 
the  first  line  was  within  only  fifteen  yards  of  the  fort,  it  was  met 
by  a sudden  volley  of  musketry,  envelojiing  for  a moment  the  whole 
parapet  in  a sheet  of  flame.  At  the  same  instant  a signal-rocket 
was  sent  up;  and  simultaneously.  Fort  Lloultrie  and  batteries  Bee 
and  Beauregard  opened  a destructive  fire  of  sbrnpiiel  and  shell,  by 
which  two  of  the  boats  were  swampetl,  and  the  men  (such  as  were 
not  too  severely  wounded  for  exertion)  left  struggling  in  the 
water. 

On  the  momentary  cessation  of  this  fire,  two  small  steamers 
concealed  behind  the  fort,  emerged  from  their  hiding-places,  and 
])()urcd  grape  and  canister  among  the  bewildered  party.  The  boats 
pushed  on,  however,  and  from  150  to  200  of  the  assailants,  still 
undaunted,  succeeded  in  landing,  amid  a terrific  explosion  of  hand- 
grenades  and  a shower  of  missiles,  such  as  bricks,  stones,  and  the 
like.  Lieutenant  Preston’s  division  was  among  the  first  to  gain  the 
shore.  Bidding  his  men  follow,  he  charged  up  among  the  dihris 
surrounding  the  gorge  wall.  But  the  ascent  was  so  steep,  and  the 
mass  of  rubbish  so  loose,  that  many  wore  obliged  to  lay  aside  their 


Cumberland  Gap,  Tenn. 


31 1 


arms  and  climb  with  liands  and  feet  to  tlie  top.  From  the  breach 
at  this  point  the  enemy  rolled  out  ten-inch  shells,  with  fuses  light- 
ed, which,  falling  among  their  antagonists,  prostrated  them  like 
infants,  or  exploding  almost  instantly,  scattered  death  and  destruc- 
tion in  their  midst. 

The  two  steamers  having  withdrawn,  Moultrie,  Bee,  and  Beau- 
regard again  opened  fire,  the  shrapnel  striking  against  the  fort  and 
falling  into  the  water  like  hail.  A second  and  third  charge  was 
ordered,  with  results  like  those  of  the  first;  when  the  word  was 
given  to  retreat. 

Of  the  seven  boats  which  landed,  but  four  escaped ; and  very 
few  of  the  detachment  they  brought  were  able  to  get  away.  Those 
remaining  who  were  not  killed  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy; 
and  for  several  days,  as  a check  against  the  bombardment,  were 
held  prisoners  in  the  fort. 

The  jiarty  who  were  to  land  a force  through  the  embrasures 
found  the  attempt  impracticable ; and  the  reserve  were  not  even 
brought  into  action. 

Thus  owing  to  an  imperfect  knowledge,  and  wholly  inadequate 
conception,  of  the  difncultics  to  bo  overcome,  this  lieroic  under- 
taking— which  must  bo  classed  among  the  boldest  of  the  war — 
proved  a disastrous  failure. 


CUMBERLAND  GAP,  TENN. 

Septemhek  9, 1SG3. 

UnionUU.,  under  General  Bnrne-ide^  about  f,000,  lyosses,,  none. 

DisunioninUy  under  General  Frazier y 2,000.  Zos.?,  in  pt-isonerfiy  the  nchole  force. 

CuMnF.ULANi)  Gap,  dividing  the  Cumberland  ^Mountains  at  the 
southea.st  corner  of  Kcntuc.ky,  and  alVording  tlio  principal  channel 
of  communication  between  that  part  of  tlie  State  and  East  Tennes- 
see, was  regaided  from  the  beginning  of  tlie  war  as  an  important 
strategic  point.  The  rebel  Gener.al  Br.agg,  therefore,  having  gained 
possession  of  it,  was  determined  to  hold  it  to  the  last.  Accord- 
ingly, although  he  was  being  steadily  pushed  toward  the  Geor- 
gia border  by  the  victorious  hosts  of  Rosecrans,  he  had  stationed 
General  Frazier  here,  at  the  head  of  2,000  men,  with  peremptory 
orders  to  hold  the  position. 

Tlie  pass  was  strongly  fortified,  and  cap.able  of  defense  against  a 
much  larger  force. 


312 


CJiicJcamauga.,  Ga. 


General  Bui-nsule,  nieanwliile,  advancing  from  Tventucky  into 
East  Tennessee,  by  a sliglitly  circuitous  route,  ordered  Colonel  Do 
Courcy  with  a brigade  of  infantry  lo  march  dii-ectly  on  tbo  Gap. 
Proceeding,  at  tbo  same  time,  with  tbo  main  body  of  his  army,  he 
succeeded,  by  rapid  moves,  in  reaching  Kno.willc,  which  afforded 
him  ajoyful  reception.  Turning  his  attentiem  northward,  ho  now 
determined  to  hem  in  the  rebel  force,  still  occupying  the  Gap,  and 
to  capture  it  entire. 

Accordingly,  on  the  Cth  of  September,  ho  dispatched  General 
Shackelford  and  his  brigade,  with  instructions  to  seize  all  avenues 
of  cscai)e  to  the  south. 

On  the  Yth,  Burnside  himself  followed  with  a body  of  infantry 
and  cavalry  ; and  on  the  9ih,  after  a forced  march  of  sixty  miles, 
arrived  within  four  miles  of  the  Gap.  Do  Courcy  and  Shackelford 
had  both  made  demands  for  surrender,  which  bad  been  rejected. 
General  Burnside  renewed  these  demands;  when  the  rebel  leader 
finding  himself  surrounded  by  a superior  force.  Ids  supplies  cut 
ofl',  and  no  hope  of  relief,  reluctantly  yielded  without  conditions. 

By  this  bloodless  victory,  over  2,000  prisoners  with  fourteen 
pieces  of  artillery  and  other  valuable  munitions  fell  into  Union  liands. 


CHICKAMAUGA,  GA. 

SiCPTEMBEi:  19  ANI>  20,  18G3. 

IfnioniKtH^  nndtr  General  lioHevrana^  nhout  4S,000.  Killed^  1.^44;  woundedf 
9,2G2  ; 4,945  ; beHitles  vavatry  Io.sh^  (iboiit  600.  'I'ohd  Iohh^  16,351. 

under  Gener<il  llra(j<j^  about  91,000.  Killed^  wounded^  and 
ing  {"jfficially  etaUd)^  It, COO. 

The  battle  of  Chickam.auga  takes  its  n.amo  from  Chickamauga 
Biver,  near  the  west  branch  of  which  this  memorable  scene  of 
bloodshed  transpired.  The  old  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  say  that 
the  name  (borrowed  from  the  Indian  tongue)  neans  “Dead  l^fen’s 
— j,,  strangely  appropriate  signilicance,  since  the  winding  val- 
ley through  which  it  Hows  h.as  been  baptized  with  the  blood  of 
thousands,  and  its  Helds  thickly  strewn  with  the  mangled  bodies 
of  the  slain. 

Prior  to  the  battle.  General  Bosecrans,  apparently  threatening 
the  rebel  army  before  Chattanooga  load  succeeded  by  a rapid  (laidc 
movement  in  crossing  the  Tennessee  Biver,  at  the  westward,  and 
advancing  toward  a point  in  Georgia,  which  compelled  Bragg’s 
retirement  from  Chattanooga  to  a position  farther  south.  During 


ChicJcamauga,  Ga. 


313 


these  movements,  tlie  rebel  forces  were  believed  to  be  inferior  in 
numbers ; but  it  soon  became  ap[)areiit,  as  the  Union  troops  were 
pressing  forward  either  to  compel  them  to  an  engagement  or  to 
drive  them  to  a continued  retreat,  that  the^  had  been  largely 
reinforced. 

Accordingly  on  Friday,  September  18th,  General  Rosccrans,  an- 
ticipating an  attack,  tlio  object  of  which  would  be  to  cut  olf  his 
communications,  drew  up  his  army  in  the  following  order.  Gene- 
ral Thomas’  corps  was  ])laccd  on  the  left  of  the  line,  whicli  extended 
in  a northerly  and  soutlierly  direction,  facing  the  cast  or  looking 
toward  the  Chiekamauga  River;  General  McCook's  corps,  on  the 
right;  and  General  Crittenden’s,  in  tlie  center. 

Meanwhile  frequent  skirmishing  occurred,  leading  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  main  attack  would  be  directed  against  the  left. 
Every  effort,  therefore,  was  made  to  meet  the  coming  emergency 
in  that  quarter.  All  day  long,  troops  were  on  the  move,  and  when 
night  came,  the  new  moon  looked  down  upon  a scene  of  indescrib- 
able bustle  and  activity.  Artillery  rolled  along  the  roads  and 
through  the  oak  woods;  heavy  columns  of  infantry,  witli  their  dull 
leaden  tread,  marclied  by  to  take  their  places  for  the  struggle  of  the 
coming  day;  the  neighing  of  horses,  the  bugle  of  the  moving 
cavalry,  the  camp  fires  throwing  their  glare  against  tlie  sky,  all 
combined  to  drive  sleep  away  and  to  waken  speculations  in  regard 
to  the  approaching  conflict. 

It  was  expected  that  the  fight  would  begin  at  daybreak.  But  the 
sun  rose  in  unclouded  splendor,  and  no  sound  of  a rebel  gun  ! Six 
and  seven  o’clock  came,  and  still  an  ominous  silence  prevailed.  It 
was  the  calm,  however,  that  preceded  tlie  storm.  A half  hour 
after,  and  occasional  shots  were  heard  on  the  left,  followed  by  dis- 
charges of  artillery  in  the  vicinity  of  Crittenden’s  command.  The 
artillery  firing  quickened  as  the  day  advanced;  until,  at  eleven 
o’clock,  the  infantry  on  the  left  became  warmly  engaged,  and  the 
deep  roar  of  cannon  was  exchanged  for  the  sharp  crack  of  small- 
arms. 

The  ground  in  many  places  was  covered  with  a thick  under- 
growth of  bushes;  while  the  greater  part  of  the  battle-field  was 
in  a forest.  The  engagement,  therefore,  was  chiefly  maintained 
by  infantry. 

As  was  supposed,  the  enemy  endeavored  to  turn  and  crush  the 
left  wing,  thus  shutting  out  the  Union  army  from  Chattanooga,  and 
driving  them  back  into  the  mountains.  A strong  mass  of  rebel 


314 


ChicJcamauga,  Ga. 


infantry  was  liurled  upon  tlie  extreme  left,  forcing  back  the  nearest 
brigade ; but  in  turn  repelled  by  the  combined  attack  of  the  divi- 
sion to  which  the  latter  belonged.  Being  reinforced,  however,  the 
rebels  advanced  again,  with  wild  yells;  and  this  time,  so  powerful 
was  their  assault  that  the  Unionists  yielded  before  it,  like  a forest 
swept  by  a tornado,  and  were  carried  back  quite  beyond  their  line. 
The  left  of  the  neighboring  division  being  thus  uncovered,  the 
rebels  swiftly  changed  their  front,  and  the  storm  now  roiled  from 
loft  to  right.  But  the  heroic  battalions  which  first  met  its  force, 
withstood  the  onset  gallantly,  and  at  length  extricated  themselves 
after  fearful  loss.  The  crushing  rebel  masses  now  came  down  upon 
the  division  next  in  order,  forcing  it  back  upon  the  one  beyond, 
which  also  became  speedily  involved  in  the  desperate  struggle. 
The  stubborn  resistance  of  these  two  divisions,  however,  and  the 
sweeping  fire  of  some  batteries  posted  under  the  personal  super- 
vision of  General  Rosecrans,  arrested  at  last  the  overwhelming 
advance. 

The  troops  previously  scattered,  having  been  rallied,  General 
Thomas  ordered  an  advance  along  the  whole  line.  Nothing  in 
military  history  exceeds  in  grandeur  the  charge  of  that  powerful 
corps.  Longstreet’s  men  from  Virginia  were  directly  opposed  to 
the  troops  of  Thomas;  and  although  they  fought  with  stubborn 
determination,  they  could  not  for  a moment  check  the  steady  march 
of  tliose  veteran  battalions.  They  had  already  pushed  the  enemy 
before  them  three  quarters  of  a mile,  recovering  all  the  lost  ground 
and  much  of  the  material  of  war  lost  in  the  morning,  and  Long- 
street  was  threatened  with  annihilation,  when  a new  danger  caused 
Thomas  to  halt. 

General  Bragg,  pereeiving  the  necessity  of  a diversion  in  Long- 
street’s  favor,  had  directed  a furious  attack  on  the  Union  center, 
commanded  by  General  Crittenden.  The  two  divisions  against 
which  it  was  at  first  directed  were  thrown  into  disorder  and  their 
rout  became  imminent.  The  timely  ai'rival  of  a third  division, 
however,  checked  the  advancing  foe,  and  restored  the  broken  line. 
But  the  attack  was  speedily  renewed  with  greater  numbers  and  the 
center  again  compelled  to  yield.  Pouring  into  the  gap  thus  opened 
by  its  retreat  and  by  the  previous  .advance  of  Thomas,  the  enemy 
now  threatened  with  his  whole  available  force  to  assault  the  flanks 
both  of  Thomas’  and  Crittenden’s  corps,  as  Longstreet  had  before 
assaulted  the  divisions  on  the  left.  But  .again  timely  reinforce- 
ments arrived,  and  for  a while  successfully  withstood  the  desperate 


I 


I 

t 


I 


ChicJcamauga,  Ga.  315 

onset.  Other  Union  divisions  were  liurried  forward,  and  poured 
down  upon  the  foe  with  the  irresistible  impulse  of  a mountain 
torrent.  The  hostile  legions,  swept  before  it,  were  borne  back  to 
their  original  line ; and  although,  as  the  twilight  of  evening  came 
on,  they  made  a renewed  attempt  on  the  center,  it  proved  abortive. 

Thus  ended  the  battle  of  the  19th.  It  had  been  a defensive  one 
on  the  part  of  the  Unionists.  No  ground  had  been  lost,  and  prob- 
ably less  men  and  material  than  were  lost  to  the  rebels.  Yet  its 
result  could  scarcely  be  claimed  as  a Union  triumph.  No  substan- 
tial advantage  had  been  won,  and  a large  portion  of  the  army  was 
badly  shattered.  That  the  enemy,  with  his  numerical  superiority, 
would  be  able  to  bffer  battle  again  on  the  following  day  could  well 
bo  supposed ; and  General  Rosecrans  accordingly  devoted  his 
energies  to  the  work  of  prei)arati()n. 

During  the  night  the  disposition  of  the  Union  forces  was  changed. 
The  line  was  swung  back  from  the  right,  so  as  to  rest  on  Mission- 
ary Ridge,  extending  thence  northeasterly,  and  being  a mile  shorter 
than  on  the  day  before.  General  Thomas’  troops  had  constructed 
a rude  breast-work  of  logs  and  rails  for  their  protection. 

Sunday  morning,  September  20th,  broke  upon  the  hostile  armies 
as  fair  as  that  of  the  preceding  day.  Contrary  to  the  general  ex- 
pectation, the  enemy  again  allowed  the  early  hours,  so  well  suited 
to  hostile  movements,  to  ])ass  undisturbed  by  the  sounds  of  battle. 
The  adaptation  of  his  plan  of  attack  to  the  new  lino  doubtless 
necessitated  this  delay.  About  nine  o’clock,  however,  a few  shots 
were  heard  at  various  points  of  the  Union  front ; but  it  was  only  a 
little  before  ten  that  the  report  of  whole  volleys  announced  the 
resumption  of  the  figlit  in  good  earnest. 

The  firing  that  had  begnn  on  the  left  at  once  assumed  the  fiercest 
character.  The  enemy  repeated  the  tactics  of  the  previous  day  by 
throwing  his  forces  first  on  the  extreme  left,  formed  by  General 
Beatty’s  brigade  of  Negley’s  division.  It  stood  the  onset  for  some 
time,  but  finally  retired.  General  Rosecr.ans,  desiring  to  strengthen 
it  by  the  support  of  its  two  associate  brigades,  then  stationed  near 
the  center,  ordered  Moods’  division  to  take  the  place  of  the  latter 
as  they  were  withdrawn  and  sent  forward.  Mistaking  the  intent 
of  the  order,  however.  Mood,  instead  of  closing  up  with  the 
neighboring  division,  brought  his  forces  to  its  support  in  the  rear. 

This  unfortunate  shift  caused  the  opening  of  a wide  gap  in  the 
Union  line  of  battle.  The  enemy- taking  instant  advantage  of  the 
break,  poured  in  an  impetuous  flood  between  the  divided  hosts, 


31G 


Chickamauga,  Ga. 


bearing  toward  the  right  wing  and  attacking  the  neighboring  forces 
both  in  front  and  rear.  Tlie  Union  troops  advancing  to  their  sup- 
port were  swept  back  by  the  rebel  torrent,  and  the  whole  of  the 
right  wing  and  riglit  center  was  thus  cut  off.  Assailed  by  over- 
whelming legions  they  were  completely  broken,  and  lied  in  confu- 
sion from  the  field,  carrying  with  them  to  Chattanooga  their  com- 
manders, and  also  General  Rosecrans,  who  had  ridden  to  that  part 
of  the  line. 

A portion  of  the  disordered  troops,  however,  succeeded  in  mak- 
ing their  way  past  the  rebels,  and  joined  General  Thomas,  who  still 
remained  immovable  in  his  position.  His  ranks  had  assumed  a 
crescent  fonoj  w'ith  his  flanks  supported  by  the  lower  spurs  of  the 
mountain  ; here,  like  a lion  at  bay,  he  repulsed  the  terrible  assaults 
of  the  enemy.  About  half  past  three  o’clock  the  rebels  discovered 
a gap  in  the  hills  in  the  rear  of  his  right  flank,  and  Longstrect 
commenced  i)oui-ing  his  massive  column  through  the  opening. 

Major-General  Gordon  Granger,  who  had  been  posted  with  his 
reserves  to  cover  the  Union  left  and  rear,  arrived  upon  the  field  at 
this  critical  moment,  lie  knew  nothing  of  the  condition  of  the 
battle ; but  with  the  true  instinct  of  a soldier,  had  marched  to  tho 
sound  of  the  cannon.  General  Thomas  merely  pointed  out  to  him 
the  gap  through  which  the  enemy  was  debouching,  w'hen  quick  as 
thought  he  threw  upon  it  Steedman’s  brigade  of  cavalry.  In  the 
words  of  General  Rosecrans'  report,  “ swift  was  the  charge,  and 
terrible  the  conflict but  the  enemy  was  broken.  A thousand 
brave  Unionists,  killed  and  wounded,  paid  for  its  possession  ; but 
their  companions  held  the  gap.  Two  divisions  of  Longstreet’s  corjjs 
confronted  the  position.  Determined  to  tako  it,  they  successively 
came  to  the  assault.  A battery  of  six  guns  placed  in  the  gorge 
poured  death  and  slaughter  into  them.  They  charged  within  a few 
yards  of  the  pieces,  but  the  Union  grape  and  canister,  and  the 
leaden  hail  of  musketry,  delivered  in  sparing  but  terrible  volleys 
fiorn  cartridges  taken  in  many  instances  from  tho  boxes  of  their 
fallen  companions,  wms  too  much  even  for  Lougstreet’s  men. 
About  sunset  they  made  their  last  charge;  when  the  Unionists 
moved  on  them  with  the  bayonet,  and  they  gave  way  to  return  no 
more. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  enemy  made  repeated  attempts  to  carry 
General  Thomas’  position  on  the  left  and  front,  and  for  a time  it 
seemed  as  if  the  combined  powers  of  the  Confederacy  were  con- 
centrated against  it.  Brigades  came  on,  careless  of  their  fiite,  and 


Farmington,  Tenn. 


317 

were  swept  away  before  the  fire  of  their  determined  antagonists. 
In  one  of  these  attacks  on  tlie  left,  several  Union  brigades  were 
driven  back,  thus  making  a wall  of  fire  on  three  sides  of  the  army  ; 
but  troops  were  sent  to  their  support,  who  bore  down  the  rebels 
and  recovered  the  ground.  '* 

At  nightfall  the  enemy  fell  back  beyond  the  range  of  artillery, 
leaving  Thomas  heroically  successful  on  his  well-fought  field. 

As  most  of  the  corps  of  McCook  and  Crittenden  were  now  in 
Chattanooga,  it  w.as  deemed  advisable  to  withdraw  the  left  wing 
to  that  place.  Thomas,  accordingly,  fell  back,  [lart  way,  during 
the  night,  leaving  the  dead  and  most  of  the  wounded  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy,  lie  received  a supply  of  ammunition,  and  during 
all  the  21st  offered  battle  to  the  enemy;  but  the  attack  was  not 
seriously  renewed.  On  the  night  of  the  21st  ho  withdrew  tlio 
remainder  of  the  army  within  the  defenses  of  Chattiinooga. 

The  enemy  suffered  severely  in  these  battles,  and  was  virtually 
defeated.  But  being  permitted  to  gather  the  trophies  of  the  field 
on  the  21st,  he  is  entitled  to  claim  a victory,  however  barren  in 
its  results. 



FARMINGTON,  TENN. 

October  8,  1863. 

TT7iioniftis^  under  Geixeral  Crook.  KiUed.,2^  \ woundedy\h^. 

Disunionistn.,  under  Genei'al  Wkeelcr.  Killed  and  iconnded.,  125  ; prisonerfi,Z^Q, 

A i.AKGE  body  of  cavalry  under  General  Wheeler  having  been 
dispatched  from  Bragg’s  army  for  a raid  on  the  communications  of 
his  adversary,  advanced  some  distance  into  the  heart  of  Tennessee, 
spreading  havoc  wherever  they  passed. 

At  Shelbyville  they  sacked  numerous  stores  and  carried  away  a 
large  amount  of  plunder.  Iletreating  thence,  they  were  closely 
pursued  by  two  mounted  brigades,  under  General  Crook,  and  com- 
pelled to  three  successive  engagements.  In  the  last  their  whole 
force  was  brought  to  a stand  near  Farmington ; and  after  an  ob- 
stinate contest  was  cut  in  two  and  completely  routed.  Sixty  of  the 
rebels  w’ere  killed,  a large  number  wounded,  and  240,  besides  those 
left  crippled  on  the  field,  taken  prisoners.  There  were  also  cap- 
tured four  pieces  of  artillery  and  1,000  stand  of  cavalry  arms. 

General  Crook,  in  his  ofllcial  re])ort,  estimates  the  entire  loss  of 
the  enemy,  in  the  three  engagements  and  the  subsequent  pursuit, 
at  not  less  than  2,000  men. 


318 


JSrisioio  Station,  Va. 


BRISTOW  STATION,  VA. 

OcToiiEii  14, 1863. 

Uitioniffts,  under  General  Warren,  Killed^  51 ; wounded^  829. 

DiaunionistSy  under  General  A.  P.  Hill.  Killed  and  wounded^  said  to  numher 

l,20lf^  prisoners^  including  many  disabled^  about  800. 

Eaui.t  on  the  morning  of  October  14tli  .a  sudden  and  furious 
attack  was  made  on  the  rear-guard  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
while  moving  northward  along  the  line  of  the  Orange  and  Alex- 
andria Railroad,  between  Catlett’s  Station  and  Wari-enton. 

The  affair  ojiened  by  a rebel  battery  throwing  shot  and  shell, 
and  by  a spirited  dash  of  rebel  cavalry.  The  Union  forces,  who 
were  protecting  a long  wagon  train,  comprised  parts  of  the  second 
corps,  commanded  by  General  Warren,  and  a body  of  cavalry  under 
General  Gregg.  They  were  soon  in  position,  and  repulsed  the  attack 
handsiomely.  The’  rebel  battery,  consisting  of  seven  pieces,  was 
captured,  and  five  of  its  guns  brought  in,  the  other  two  being 
disabled. 

This  unexpected  check,  for  a time,  kept  the  assailants  at  bay. 
Rut  it  was  soon  apparent  that  a renewed  .assault  was  intended.  The 
Union  forces  continued  their  inarch  in  good  order,  occasionally  ex- 
changing shots  with  their  pursuers,  until  they  reached  Brentville, 
about  three  o’clock,  where  the  rear  of  the  wagon  tr.ain  had  halted. 

At  this  point,  not  far  from  Bristow  Station,  the  enemy  in  heavy 
force  was  seen  emerging  from  a line  of  woods  on  the  right  flank, 
at  the  north  of  the  railroad — which  here  runs  through  a cut  below 
the  level  of  the  adjacent  fields.  Immediately  the  infantry  of  War- 
ren’s corjis,  by  order  of  their  gallant  commander,  gained  possession 
of  the  cut ; whence,  as  from  a line  of  rifle-pits,  they  poured  in 
deadly  volleys  upon  the  approaching  foe.  The  Union  artillery  also 
Joined  its  thunders  with  those  of  the  infantry;  and  the  rebels, 
vainly  striving  to  advance,  were  mown  down  like  grass,  and  lay  in 
a bleeding  swarth  all  along  the  Federal  front. 

The  contest  was  maintained  till  about  dusk;  when  the  sixth 
cor[)s,  under  General  Sykes,  came  to  Warren’s  support.  The  enemy 
retreated  in  confusion  to  the  cover  of  the  woods;  and  as  darkness 
spread  its  shadows  over  the  well-fought  field,  gradually  withdrew 
his  lines  to  the  rear. 

In  this  gallant  affair,  two  battle-flags  were  captured,  besides  the 
artillery  and  a large  number  of  prisoners — the  latter  chiefly  North 
Carolinians. 


i 

I 


I 


Jlnncn's  I '<:rnj^  Tmn.  ;!i!) 

BROWN’S  FERRY,  TENIJ. 

OCTORKlt  27  AND  2R, 

77/?tn7??V-%  under  Generah  Smith' mid  Hooker.  ICillcd,  7G;  U'oundcdyoSO;  niv^s- 
ing,  22. 

Difiynioni.'tf-'i^  7(nder  General  Longstrect,  Killed^  uoundcd,  and  niissinffy  esii* 
mated  at  over  1,000. 

Bkown's  Feiiut  is  n,  crossin;'  on  tlie  Tennessee  River  a little 
below  Cliattanooga,  and  opens  on  the  south  into  a long  gap  known 
as  Lookout  Valley.  East  of  this  valley  is  Lookout  Llountain.  the 
abrupt  extremity  of  which  commands  the  river  for  several  miles. 

On  this  commanding  point  and  in  the  neighboring  valley,  a 
strong  rebel  force  was  stationed,  interrupting  the  transportation  of 
sup[)lies  for  the  Union  army  at  Chattanooga,  either  by  the  river  or 
by  the  railroad  which  extends  along  the  south  side  of  the  river. 
As  communicaliiin  on  (lie  north  side  w.i.s  exceedingly  diirKuilt,  i-e- 
quiring  eighty  miles  of  wagon  transportation  over  an  almost  impas- 
salde  route  beset  by  rebel  sharp-shooters,  it  became  of  the  utmost 
imi)ortanec  to  drive  the  enemy  from  his  position. 

Accordingly  two  c.xpeditions  w'ere  organized  for  this  purpose: 
one  under  command  of  General  Smith,  to  advance  from  Ohati.a- 
iiooga;  the  other  under  General  Hooker,  to  luoceed  from  the 
opposite  direction. 

General  Smith's  expedition  set  out  on  the  night  of  the  27^1.  A 
part,  under  command  of  Gener.al  llazen,  embarked  in  pontoon  boats, 
gliding  cautiously  dow'n  the  river;  while  the  rest,  wdth  the  appli- 
ances for  laying  a ])ontoon  bridge,  proceeded  overland  to  a point 
on  the  shore  opposite  the  gap. 

The  moon  was  at  its  full,  and  unobscured  by  a single  cloud.  But 
an  occasional  'mist  drifted  past  the  base  of  Lookout  and  settled 
along  the  river’s  margin.  Floating  silently  w'ith  the  current  under 
the  shadow  of  the  friendly  shore,  the  boat  party  for  some  time  es- 
caped observation  ; although  the  rebel  pickets  could  bo  distinctly 
seen  on  the  opposite  banks,  pacing  to  and  fro  or  warming  them- 
selves by  their  watch-fires.  At  length  one  was  heard  to  ask,  “ Is 
that  a bo.at?”  “No,  it  is  a log!”  was  the  response;  and  a slight 
curtain  of  mist  interposed,  as  the  boats  drifted  on  unmolested. 

As  the  gray  twilight  of  morning  began  to  streak  the  east,  they 
neared  their  destination.  General  llazen,  wdth  j)art  of  his  men, 
disembarked  a little  above  the  gap  and  climbed  the  stee[)  sides  of 
Lookout.  As  the  boats  approached  the  landing  belowq  the  rebel 
pickets  were  suddenly  alarmed  and  ojiencd  lire,  riilling  stoutly  at 

15 


I 


a20 


Urown's  Ferry,  Tenn. 


tlieir  ours  tlio  inoii  soon  leaped  aslioro  and  j)onred  in  a return  vol- 
ley. But  as  they  pushed  forward  and  gained  the  rising  ground  of 
the  gap  as  it  recedes  from  the  river,  they  were  met  by  the  enemy 
from  his  encampment  beyond.  A short  skirmish  ensued.  Rein- 
forcements from  other  boats,  however,  arrived,  and  the  rebels  were 
jiut  to  flight.  As  they  fell  back  they  attempted  to  gain  the  neigh- 
boring heights;  but  were  driven  thence  by  General  Ilazen,  with 
two  pieces  of  artillery.  Thus,  cut  off  from  their  communications 
on  Lookout  Mountain,  they  were  forced  to  retreat  down  the  valley, 
whence  a long  detour  was  necessary  to  reach  the  main  rebel  army. 

Ilaving  obtained  easy  possession  of  the  gap  and  the  neighboring 
point  of  Lookout  Mountain,  the  Unionists  proceeded  at  once  to  the 
laying  of  the  pontoon  bridge. 

Meantime  General  Ilooker,  with  his  command,  advanced  from 
Bridgeport,  at  the  westward,  toward  a point  in  Lookout  Valley 
somewhat  south  of  that  part  of  the  gap  attacked  by  General  Smith’s 
trooj)s.  Driving  a rebel  detachment— consisting  of  two  brigades 
and  one  battery — before  him,  he  succeeded  in  reaching  his  destina- 
tion, and  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  joined  his  pickets  with  those 
of  General  Ilazen. 

A little  after  midnight,  however,  liis  force  was  attacked  by  tho 
rebel  corps  under  General  Longstreet;  the  whole  body  of  which, 
on  intelligence  of  the  ho.stile  movement  at  Brown’s  Ferry,  had 
been  collected  in  the  southern  part  of  tho  valley. 

General  Howard,  commanding  the  elevetith  corps,  under  General 
Ilooker — which  had  been  disgraced  by  its  conduct  at  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville, — perceiving  that  tho  enemy  in  force  had  occu[)ied 
some  wooded  heights  commanding  his  position,  determined  to  re- 
trieve the  dishonor  resting  upon  his  troops,  and  to  afford  incontest- 
able proof  of  their  bravery.  Accordingly  be  ordered  a detach- 
ment to  charge  up  the  steep  acclivity.  Eight  gallantly  did  they 
advance  to  their  work.  They  were  met,  however,  by  a terrible 
fire  from  overpowering  numbers  and  were  compelled  to  fall  back. 
Re-forming,  they  charged  again  np  tlie  hillside;  and  this  time  drove 
the  enemy  to  his  rifle-pits  and  breast-works,  the  existence  of  which 
was  before  unknown.  Here  a terrible  hand-to-hand  struggle 
ensued,  until  the  rebels  were  put  to  flight.  In  this  heroic  assault 
— one  of  the  noblest  of  the  war — less  than  500  men  drove  from 
their  works  a force  numbering  about  2,000. 

But  the  battle  still  raged  in  the  valley.  Repeated  assaults  were 
made  on  the  Union  lines,  and  were  bravely  repulsed.  Longstreet, 


Bayou  Coteau,  La,  321 

at  lengtli,  perceiving  the  utter  hopelessness  of  his  efforts,  retired 
thoroughly  beaten. 

An  extraordinary  and  ludicrous  episode  occurred  during  the 
battle.  About  200  nuile.s,  parked  near  General  Hooker’s  lines, 
broke  loose  and  charged  across  the  field  toward  a Georgia  regiment. 
Thinking,  donbtlc.ss,  it  was  cavah-y,  tlio  regiment  broke  in  confu- 
sion and  ran,  leaving  1,000  Enfield  rifles  of  the  host  description 
behind  them. 

By  these  combined  victories  of  General  Smith  and  General 
Hooker,  the  Unionists  gained  possession  of  the  whole  of  the  Ten- 
nessee Hiver  between  Bridgeport  and  Brown’s  Ferry,  and  of  the 
railroad  lying  south  of  the  river  ; thus  securing  easy  transportation 
of  supplies  to  within  two  miles  of  Chattanooga.  As  the  army  at 
.the  latter  jioint,  j)rior  to  this  event,  had  been  i-educcd  to  half  and 
third  rations,  and  their  continued  subsistence  had  become  a matter 
of  grave  uncertainty,  it  must  be  regarded  as  among  the  most  im- 
portant achievements  of  the  campaign. 


BAYOU  COTEAU,  LA. 

November  .3,  1S63. 

Vnioniul.t,  niuUr  General  Jinrhrl<i\je,  1,500.  Killed,  18;  wounded,  ahout  100; 
viissiny,  559. 

Vimnionixtf^,  numhering  ahout  0,000.  Killed,  100;  wounded,  not  reported;  pris- 
oners, 200. 

Bayou  Coteau  is  a locality  of  little  importance  between  Opelou- 
sas and  Vermilion ville.  It  lay  in  the  route  of  the  Army  of  the 
Gulf  during  its  campaign  in  the  region  known  as  the  Teche  coun- 
try. On  the  2d  of  November,  General  Burbridge  was  ordered  to 
encamp  here,  upon  the  edge  of  a wood  with  an  open  prairie  in 
front.  Separated,  by  a distance  of  several  miles,  from  other  por- 
tions of  the  army,  with  a forest  belt  intervening,  his  position  was 
peculiarly  exposed  to  sudden  and  dangerous  attack. 

Before  daybreak  on  the  following  morning,  his  outposts  were 
assailed  by  the  enemy’s  cavalry,  and  the  brigade  was  ordered  under 
arms.  Later  in  the  day,  severe  fighting  occurred — the  enemy, 
much  of  the  time,  keeping  in  the  woods,  which  were  shelled  by 
the  Union  artillery.  On  an  occasion  when  the  Union  forces  were 
sorely  pressed.  General  Burbridge,  dismounting  from  his  horse,  per- 
sonally handled  one  of  the  cannon,  scattering  grape  and  canister 
among  the  foe  with  the  most  telling  effect. 


322 


Uroxvnsville,  Ts. 


Nearly  the  wliolo  of  the  Sixty-Hcventli  Indiana  Regiment,  owing 
to  an  nnforlnnatc  neglect  of  orders,  were  taken  prisoners. 

At  length  the  enemy  prudently  withdrew,  having  suffered  terri- 
ble losses  from  the  well-directed  fire  of  the  artillery,  in  which  arm, 
the  Union  forces  were  fortunately  snperigr. 


BEOWNSVILLE,  TEX. 

Novemhku  5,  1)^C3. 

UnionifiUy  under  Gcnerah  Ihinl  n and  Dana, 

Dhunionv'stSy  under  General  Bee. 

Duking  the  early  part  of  the  autumn  of  18C3  an  expedition  was 
fitted  out  at  New  Orleans,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  control  of 
southeastern  Texas,  and  of  securing  such  other  advantages  as  might 
be  reaped  therefrom. 

On  the  27th  of  October  it  set  sail  from  South  Pass,  under  the 
command  of  General  Dana, — subject,  however,  to  the  superior 
orders  of  General  Hanks  who  likewise  accompanied  the  cx[)edition. 
With  a clear  sky  and  i)r()i)itious  breezes,  the  fleet  glided  jirosper- 
ously  on  its  voyage.  It  was  a noble  sight — that  long  line  of  vessels 
moving  in  gallant  array,  their  glorious  ensigns  fluttering  aloft,  and 
the  white  waves  dashing  from  their  prows  like  foam  from  the 
crested  bits  of  im[)atient  war-steeds.  Bearing  many  a patriotic 
heart  glowing  with  entluisiasin  for  the  rescue  of  the  national 
domain,  they  seemed  almost  conscious  of  their  precious  charge  as 
they  bounded  joyfully  over  tlie  deep. 

On  tlie  third  day  out,  a severe  storm  arose.  The  north  wind 
swept  down  upon  the  fleet  in  chilling  blasts,  and  the  heaving  bil- 
lows threatened  to  overwhelm  it.  The  vessels  were  soon  scattered 
far  and  wide,  many  being  compelled  to  run  before  the  wind  without 
regard  to  their  destination.  Several  disasters  ensued.  Alight-draft 
steamer,  having  one  of  the  larger  vessels  in  tow,  was  badly  strained 
in  the  up[)cr  works,  and  letting  in  a flood  of  water,  sank  to  the 
bottom.  Two  schooners  also  w'cnt  down.  But  all  the  men  on 
these  vessels  were  saved  by  aid  of  the  neighboring  vessels  and  by 
a resort  to  boats.  For  nearly  tw^elve  hours  the  storm  i-aged,  and 
long  after  the  wind  ceased,  the  w’aves  ran  “ mountain  high.” 

Early  on  Saturday  morning,  the  31st  inst.,  the  flag-shi[)  succeeded 
in  re-assembling  most  of  the  fleet,  which  kept  on  its  w'ay  toward 
the  Texas  coast.  One  of  the  missing  vessels  reappeared  in  the 


Capture  of  Urowusville,  Texas.  323 

fifternoon,  liaving  on  board  two  men  picked  up  in  an  open  boat, 
who  were  deserters  from  the  enemy.  Tbe  poor  fellows,  attempt- 
ing escape  to  one  of  the  blockading  squadron,  bad  been  driven  to 
sea  by  the  gale,  and  for  forty  hours  were  ex[)osed  to  its  cbiliing  in- 
fluence and  to  tbe  i)itiless  beating  of  tbe  waves.  'When  rescued 
they  were  nearly  helpless  with  exhaustion.  Tliey  were  German 
emigrants,  .and  bad  been  pressed  into  tbe  rebel  service;  but  now 
gladly  enlisted  under  the  Union  flag.  The  information  they  alforded 
was  of  much  value. 

About  this  time  the  fleet  hove  in  sight  of  tbe  dreary  sand-hills 
of  Isla  del  Padre,  and  as  tbe  sun  was  setting  drew  nearer  to  the 
shoi'e.  Their  approach,  however,  was  rapidly  signaled  from  tbe 
rebel  lookonts;  and  as  darkness  .s|irea<l  over  the  face  of  nature, 
(ires  answering  to  lii-es  shot  up  along  the  coast  until  their  feeble 
light  died  in  the  distance. 

As  morning  dawned  and  the  vessels  moved  along  the  shore, 
numerous  blockade  runners  were  seen  lying  at  anchor  in  Iilexicaii 
waters. 

On  the  following  morning  tbe  passes  at  the  north  and  south  of 
P>razos  Island  were  examined,  and  no  resistance  being  ofl'ered,  a 
part  of  the  troops  were  landed  on  its  inhospitable  shores.  Tues- 
day a rcconnoissance  was  cll’ected  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  by  AVedtiesday  (November  4th)  all  the  trooits  were  safely  dis- 
embarked. Toward  evening  news  was  received  of  the  burning  of 
the  rebel  government  buildings  at  Fort  Brown,  preparatory  to  its 
evacuation;  also  intelligence  that,  on  Tuesday,  a bod}^  of  rebel 
cavalry  had  dashed  into  Brownsville,  and  commenced  setting  fire  to 
the  buildings,  with  the  intention  of  destroying  the  town.  The 
property  holders — including  many  Union  men — however,  had  re- 
sisted them  ; but  the  cavalry  betTig  sn|)ported  by  rebel  citizens,  a 
bloody  light  occurred  which  was  still  in  [)rogrcss  when  the  bearer 
of  the  tidings  left  for  the  Federal  camp.  A detachment  of  Union 
troops  was  immedi.atcly  ordered  to  Brownsville  ; and  by  ten  o’clock 
on  the  5th  tlie  national  flag  was  floating  over  the  town. 

Thus,  with  scarcely  a skirmish,  this  impoi  tant  commercial  port 
was  repos.sessed  by  the  Government,  and  the  immense  contraband 
trade  which  had  so  long  ministered  to  the  support  of  the  rebellion 
was  maiidy  arrested,  A new  base  of  oper.ations  also  w.as  gained, 
wbence  exi)cditions  cotdd  be  sent  out  for  the  recovery  of  the  State, 
and  witiiin  whose  sheltering  lines  many  loyal  citizens  might  find 
refuge. 


324  Rappahannock  Station  and  Kelley's  Ford,  Vd. 

RAPPAHANTJOCK  STATION  AND  KELLEY’S  FORD,  VA. 

Novemueu  7,  1863. 

under  Generals  SedywicJc  and  French.  lAisseSy  about  iQQ. 
DihunionistSy  under  Generals  Ewell  and  Hill.  Killed  and  wounded^  unknown; 
prisoners^  1,960. 

On  tlie  inorning  of  November  7th,  tlie  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
abandoning  its  encampment  at  Cedar  Run,  moved  toward  the  Rap- 
pahannock. The  first,  second,  and  tliird  corps,  forming  tlie  left 
wing  of  the  aimiy,  under  General  French,  advanced  to  Kelley’s 
Ford;  while  the  fifth  and  sixtli  cor{)s,  forming  the  right  wing,  under 
General  Sedgwick,  proceeded  to  Rappahannock  Station. 

The  rebel  army  W'ere  encamped  chiefly  on  the  south  .side  of  the 
Rapi)ahannock  ; hut  occupied  strong  defenses  on  both  sides  of  the 
river  at  the  above-mentioned  points. 

As  French’s  troops  neared  Kelley’s  Ford,  strong  lines  of  skir- 
mishers and  sharp-shooters  were  thrown  out ; while  several  batte- 
ries, with  infantry  supports,  gained  a wooded  height  commanding 
the  river,  and  having  a swee[)ing  range  of  the  elevated  fields  on 
tlie  south.  Tn  tlie  mean  time  a division  of  the  enemy  crossed  over, 
for  the  support  of  its  jiickets,  and  commenced  shelling  the  advanc- 
ing Union  force.  The  batteries  of  the  latter,  however,  were  soon 
in  position,  and  rained  such  a shower  of  missiles  on  the  foe  as  scat- 
tered death  and  confusion  through  his  ranks — compelling  many  to 
surrender,  and  forcing  others  to  retreat  in  utter  rout. 

Under  cover  of  this  overwhelming  fire,  working  parties  advanced 
to  the  river  and  succeeded  in  laying  pontoons.  The  enemy’s  guns 
were  silenced  ; and  an  attacking  party,  headed  by  a brigade  under 
Colonel  Do  Trobriand — a native  of  France,  who  on  this  occasion 
displayed  the  chivalrous  daring  of  his  race — moved  to  the  opposite 
shore.  The  front  of  the  column,  formed  by  the  First  United  States 
Sharp-shooters,  having  crossed  over,  immediately  deployed  and 
charged  on  the  enemy’s  rifle-pits.  After  brief  musketry  firing,  the 
jiartially  sheltered  foemen,  finding  themselves  surrounded,  throw 
down  their  arms  and  surrendered. 

In  this  gallant  action,  over  400  rebels  were  taken  prisoners,  be- 
sides numbers  killed  and  wounded.  General  French’s  loss  was 
about  seventy. 

“While  this  affair  was  transpiring  at  Kelley’s  Ford,  a more  deadly 
scene  was  being  enacted  at  Rappahannock  Station.  The  rebel 
defenses  at  that  point  consisted,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  of  a 


llappaliannock  Station  and  Kelley's  Kord^  Fa.  325 

strong  fort,  two  redoubts,  and  a number  of  rifle-pits — altogether, 
lield  by  nearly  2,000  men.  It  was  about  three  o’clock  when  the 
head  of  General  Sedgwick’s  column  neared  the  station.  The  ad- 
vance upon  the  enemy  was  conducted  in  a manner  similar  to 
French’si  Skirmishers  and  sharp-shooters  were  thrown  out  to 
cover  the  forward  movement  of  batteries,  and  a commanding  posi- 
tion was  gained  in  the  rear  of  the  hostile  works.  Ueavy  artillery 
was  planted  here,  and  opened  fire  on  the  fort. 

Just  before  dark,  a storming  party  consisting  of  three  regiments 
was  formed  under  the  lead  of  General  Russell.  Other  troops  were 
moved  forward  to  cover  their  advance,  and  to  intercept  the  antici- 
pated retreat  of  the  enemy.  Union  and  rebel  batteries  now  opened 
on  each  other  desperately.  Shot  and  shell  flew  like  hail  across  the 
river,  sweeping  through  the  forts  on  both  sides.  The  Union  troops 
rushed  to  the  onset.  A strong  detachment  took  ])osse.ssion  of  the 
enemy’s  jiontoon,  thus  cutting  off  not  only  his  reti'cat  but  also  his 
chance  of  succor.  The  storming  party  dashed  into  the  rifle-pits 
and  forts  on  every  side,  and  one  of  the  fiercest  hand-to-hand  con- 
flicts of  the  war  begun.  Discharging  but  a single  volley,  the 
assailants  clo.-^ed  with  their  antagonists,  actually  grasi)ing  the  bay- 
onets pointed  at  their  breasts.  As  friend  and  foe  were  mingled 
promiscuously,  the  batteries  on  both  sides  ceased,  and  ringing 
cheers  and  shouts  and  death-groans  rose  above  tlie  sound  of  mus- 
ketry. Men  grapi)led  one  another  in  their  death-struggles,  some 
fighting  with  clubbed  muskets,  others  with  their  fists. 

This  fierce  and  sav.age  struggle  continued  about  twenty  minutes. 
But  Union  siqiports  were  pouring  in  on  every  side  ; and  the  enemy, 
finding  longer  resistance  useless,  surrendered.  One  wild  cheer, 
one  wild  huzza,  rent  the  air,  and  in  a few  minutes  the  Stars  and 
Stripes  floated  triumphantly  above  the  trampled  banners  of  the 
Confederacy.  The  victory  was  decisive.  Four  j>ieccs  of  artillery, 
2,000  small-arms,  eight  battle-flags,  one  bridge  train,  and  nearly 
1,900  prisoners  were  among  its  fruits.  The  Union  loss  was  but 
little  more  than  300. 

The  news  of  these  glorious  achievements  was  received  with  joy- 
ful enthusiasm  throughout  the  North.  It  was  hailed  as  the  har- 
binger of  future  success  and  of  the  early  destruction  of  the  Virginia 
foemen,  under  the  guidance  of  the  trusted  hero  of  Gettysburg. 


Wi 


'32G  Jlodjersvil’c,  I'cn/t. — CampbeWs  Slutio)i,  Tenn. 

RODGESSYILLE,  TEIJIJ 

NoVEMItKU  7,  ISlV^.  , 

Vni()ui}<tf(^  nnmhering  about  1,500.  LoaSy  in  killed  ahd  wounded^  and  prisi’^ierfi^ 
about  530. 

Diftunioiii.'dSy  numbering  about  3,500,  commanded  htj  General  WiHiaini^  I-osa^ 
not  reporUd. 

Aiiout  (liiylight  on  tlio  Vth  of  Noveiiilicr,  a Union  camp  at  Rod- 
gersville,  ono  of  tlio  most  eastern  oiitposis  of  Cieiicral  llunisidc’s 
command,  was  sm'[)rised  by  llio  enemy.  'I'lic  Union  foreo  con- 
sisted of  an  infantry  regiment,  a cavalry  regiment,  and  a battery. 
The  suddenness  of  the  attack  caused  a panic,  and  tlie  cavalry,  de- 
spite tbe  heroic  efforts  of  their  commander.  Colonel  Garritrd,  lied 
in  a state  of  utter  demoralization.  The  rest  of  the  troops  made  a 
gallant  stand,  and  were  mostly  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy  also 
captured  four  pieces  of  artillery  and  thirty-six  wagons. 


CAMPBELL’S  BTATIOIJ,  TEEN. 

NovEMUKit  IG,  13G3. 

VnionifitH^  under  General  Burnude^  numhera  not  reported.  Lo.h^^  about 
d)i8uvioni.ds^  under  General  Lcngatreel^/ront  30,000  to  40,000.  Loss  estimated  at 
about  1,000. 

Aftiu:  the  battle  of  Chiekanianga,  which  compelled  the  retire- 
ment of  the  Union  forces  to  Chattanooga,  tlie  rebel  (Icneral  Rragg, 
having  taken  np  his  jxisition  in  its  vicinity,  determined  to  senil  it 
strong  force  into  East  Tennessee.  Atrcordingly  iio  dispatched  (ien- 
cral  Tamgstreet,  at  the  head  of  about  3(1,000  tr-oops.  It  was  the 
advance  of  this  force,  which  we  have  already  noticed  as  having 
fallen  nj)on  Ceneral  Burnside’s  oiUpost  at  Rodgersville. 

On  the  l-ttli  and  15th  of  Novemher,  the  whole  of  Longstrect’s 
army  ca-ossed  the  Tennessee  River,  nliont  .si.v  miles  below  lioudon. 
Ceneral  Burnside,  finding  his  force  in  the  vicinity  insullicient  to 
cope  witli  so  formidable  an  adversary,  fell  hack,  closely  pursued, 
along  the  line  of  the  railroad  leading  to  Knoxville.  Several  sharp 
skirmishes  occurred  ; nntll  having  reached  Campbell’s  Station,  on 
tlio  KUh  inst.,  it  was  determined  to  give  the  rebels  a decided  check. 
Accordingly  jiositions  for  the  Union  artillery  were  selected  on  com- 
manding eminences  at  the  riglit  and  left  of  the  road,  which  hero 
runs  through  a valley. 

The  scene  spread  out  before  the  warlike  hosts  was  of  a peaceful 
rural  character — broad  fields  sloiiing  gently  to  the  bosom  of  Uio 


327 


CanipheW s Station^  Tenn. 

vale,  verdant  liillsides  fit  for  the  grazing  of  flocks  and  herds,  and 
quiet  farin-liouses  which  never  before  had  listened  to  more  terrific 
sounds  than  the  shrill  scream  of  the  locomotive  whistle  as  the  rush- 
ing train  swept  by.  But  how'  changed  was  to  he  tliis  peacefulness! 
The  merciless  genius  of  war  had  already  spread  his  dark  wing  over 
the  sun-lit  shqjes,  and  soon  the  roar  of  combat  was  to  deafen  the 
cars  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  resistless  cannon-ball  was  to  plow 
its  way  through  tlio  heart  of  the  dell. 

The  Union  trooi)s  deployed  in  line  of  battle  and  awaited  the 
attack.  Soon  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  was  seen  advancing,  in 
two  formidable  lines,  from  the  timber  at  the  end  of  the  open  fields. 
On  they  came  alternately  surmounting  the  crests  of  the  little  knolls, 
in  beautiful  tmdulating  lines,  and  disapjicariiig  again  in  the  hollows 
beneath.  The  Union  forces  opened  at  long  range ; but  still  the 
rebels  pressed  on,  heedless  of  the  shower  of  bullets  which  whistled 
around  them;  until  they  reached  a position  a[)parently  suited  to 
their  purpose.  A line  of  fire  now  swept  along  their  whole  front, 
and  the  irregular  rattle  of  musketry  was  changed  to  steady  rolling 
volleys.  ' 

At  length  it  was  discovered  that  while  thus  engaged  a heavy 
force  of  the  enemy  was  advancing  on  the  Union  flanks.  Bebel 
Ekii-mishcr.\,pushed  out  from  the  woods  on  both  sides  and  began  an 
annoying  lire  which  shortly  threatened  to  hecomc  of  serious  con- 
sequence. The  Union  troo|)S  fell  back,  and  the  hostile  lines 
advanced  in  a semicircle,  gradually  closing  upon  the  object  of  tlieir 
pursuit.  Still  pressing  forward,  still  pouring  in  tlieir  volleys  with 
the  utmost  deliberation,  a body  of  the  enemy  at  lengtii  quickened 
into  a charge.  Again  the  Union  troops  gave  way,  not  in  confusion, 
but  in  steady  line,  delivering  their  volleys  as  they  fell  back,  step  by 
step,  to  tlio  shelter  of  their  batteries.  Quick  as  lightning  the  guns 
now  belched  forth  from  the  hills  above.  Shell  and  shra[)nel,  can- 
ister and  case,  whichever  came  readiest  to  hand,  were  hurled  at 
the  serried  ranks  of  the  rebels.  The  Union  gunners  could  dis- 
tinctly see  the  swarths  which  their  missiles  cut  in  the  hostile 
regiments  advancing  in  solid  mass. 

As  might  be  e.viiected,  the  rebels  gave  way  under  the  severe  fire, 
but  in  admirable  order,  and  fell  back  again  to  the  cover  of  the 
timber.  Heretofore  they  had  fought  without  artillery.  They  now 
brought  three  batteries  into  ])osition  u[)on  the  tops  of  the  knolls, 
and  opened  fire  ; ^'l^ile  their  infantry  once  more  dcjdoyed  upon  the 
Union  flanks. 


328 


JZnoxville,  Tenn. 


It  was  already  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  trains  which  Gene- 
ral Ihirnside  aimed  to  j)rotect  had  obtained  a good  start  on  the 
road.  It  was  unnecessary,  therefore,  to  hazard  a further  engage- 
ment in  his  [U'esent  position,  while  a better  one  was  afforded  in  his 
rear,  lie  accordingly  retired  about  half  a mile  to  another  series  of 
commanding  hills  ; where  the  Union  batteries  again  took  position, 
and  the  battle  was  renewed. 

The  second  engagement,  like  the  first,  was  marked  by  the  same 
stubborn  fighting.  The  Union  forces  op])Osed  the  hostile  advance 
succc.ssfnlly  until  night  clo.sed  the  struggle  and  left  them  in  posses- 
sion of  their  chosen  ground.  As  the  object  for  which  General 
Burnside  had  given  battle  was  fidly  secured,  and  it  was  undesir- 
able to  risk  another  conflict  before  reacliing  the  fortifications  of 
Knoxville,  he  quietly  withdrew  his  army,  under  the  friendly  shade 
of  night. 

The  loss  of  the  rebels  in  this  battle  is  believed  to  liave  been  be- 
tween two  and  three  times  as  great  as  that  of  the  .Unionists,  owing 
to  the  severe  artillery  lire  to  which  they  were  exposed. 


KIIOXVILLE,  TEIIN. 

NovEMnicu  17  TO  Deccmbee  4,  1863. 

UnionisU^  under  General  Barnnule-,  numher^  not  rep  lied.  • Lonnea^  about  600. 
IH/unLioiiL'ita^  under  General  Lo^iQutreet,  nearly  85,000.  Losaes^  about  1,600. 

After  the  battle  at  Campbell’s  Station,  General  Burnside’s  army 
having  fallen  back  to  Knoxville,  proceeded  to  intrench  itself  around 
the  outskirts  of  the  city.  Its  principal  position  was  upon  a high 
ridge  at  the  west  and  southwest.  Here  batteries  were  planted  at 
frequent  intervals,  the  gaps  being  filled  with  infantry  and  protected 
by  rifle-pits. 

Late  in  the  forenoon  of  the  first  day  [November  the  pickets 
of  the  enemy  ma<lo  their  appearance  at  an  outpost,  held  by  mounted 
troops,  on  the  Loudon  road,  about  two  miles  southwest  of  tlie  city. 
A sharp  skirmish  commenced  in  the  woods,  resulting  in  the  Union 
videttes  falling  back  ujion  their  supports.  The  latter,  which  were 
dismounted,  formed  in  line  of  battle  along  a rail  fence  having  a 
clear  space  between  it  and  the  woods  where  the  fighting  had  just 
occurred. 

Soon  curling  jets  of  smoke  issuing  from  among  the  trees,  accom- 
panied by  reports  of  musketry,  indicated  that  the  foe  was  near.  It 


329 


Knoxville,  Tenn, 


was  not  long  before  the  whole  front  of  the  wood  blazed  with  his 
volleys.  After  a brief  interval  in  which  the  firing  was  hut  spas- 
modic, the  rebels  charged  out  of  the  timber,  and  with  a yell  dashed 
across  the  open  space.  The  Union  force,  which,  .to  this  time,  had 
reserved  its  fire,  now  rose  in  a body  and  poured  in  an  unerring 
volley  which  not  only  checked  the  rushing  tide,  but  turned  it  back 
in  tumultuous  confusion. 

A desultory  fire  was  then  in.aintained,  until  the  enemy  made  a 
movement  to  the  right,  and  succeeded  in  getting  a position  On  the 
railroad  bank,  from  which  they  caused  much  annoyance.  Under 
the  direction  of  General  Sanders,  however,  they  were  finally  driven 
thence.  They  also  brought  a battery  of  five  pieces  into  position, 
but  opened  with  little  effect. 

In  this  skirmish,  with  Longstreet’s  advance-guard,  the  Union 
loss  was  about  six  killed  and  fourteen  wounded.  Getieral  Sandei's 
h.ad  his  horse  shyt  under  him,  and  his  saber  sheath  bent  by  a bullet, 
which  also  perforated  the  skirts  of  his  coat. 

During  the  action  a detachment  of  rebel  infantry  and  cavalry 
made  a detour  some  distance  to  the  Union  right;  and  ai)]>roaching 
the  city  by  the  Clinton  road,  came  in  contact  with  two  Kentucky 
regiments  which  fell  back  to  a desirable  i)Osition,  aud  held  them  at 
bay. 

These  engagements,  thus  occurring  so  soon  after  the  battle  at 
Campbell’s  Station,  plainly  indicated  the  intention  of  the  rebels  to 
push  their  hostilities  in  this  region  to  the  utmost,  and  if  jtossible  to 
cafiture  Knoxville — which  w'as  the  key  to  East  Tennessee.  The 
prize  was  of  almost  inestimable  value,  and  vfas  therefore  worthy 
of  a desperate  struggle. 

On  the  morning  of  the  following  day  (the  18i/t  inst.).  a dense 
fog  covered  the  earth,  obscuring  objects  distant  but  a lew  yards. 
The  night  had  been  another  busy  one  with  the  troops.  New  earth- 
works and  rifle-pits  had  been  constructed,  and  by  daylight  the  city 
was  environed  with  a complete  chain  of  defenses.  Every  hill  was 
surmounted  with  a battery,  and  between  ran  the  rifle-jiits,  extend- 
ing in  a semicircle  from  the  river  bank  below  to  the  river  bank 
above  the  city. 

The  fog  lifted  soon  after  ten  o’clock  ; when  the  contending  forces, 
for  the  first  time  during  the  day,  came  in  sight  of  each  other.  As 
the  mist  disappeared,  the  sun  shone  forth  clear  and  mellow,  while 
the  atmosphere  was  as  balmy  as  that  of  a May  day.  The  view  from 
the  fortifications  was  magnificent,  and  the  land.scape,  as  it  lay 


330  Knoxville^  Tain. 

Rtretclied  before  tlie  eye,  was  enhanced  in  beauty  by  the  light  liazo 
■\vliicli  inijiarted  an  ethereal  blue  to  the  distant  hills  and  mountains. 

During  the  night,  General  Sanders’  outisost  on  the  London  road 
had  been  called  in  to  a [joint  within  about  a mile  of  the  city.  Here, 
on  the  crest  of  a hill,  his  forces  were  discovered  by  the  enemy’s 
skirmishers.  A desultory  fire  commenced  on  both  sides,  which 
eventuated  in  a charge  by  the  rebels.  The  Union  soldiers  .sprang 
to  meet  it,  and  poured  in  so  deadly  a volley  that  the  rebels  broke 
in  disorder  and  retreated  to  the  woods. 

A few  of  their  shar[)-shooters,  however,  remained  in  a brick 
house  about  a quarter  of  a mile  nearer  the  Union  line,  from  the 
windows  and  roof  of  which  they  picked  off  their  opponents  with 
much  ease.  But  the  desirableness  of  their  position  was  soon  disturbed 
by  some  well-aimed  shells  from  a twenty-pounder  Parrott,  which 
caused  them  to  vacate  s[)eedily. 

The  enemy  now  brought  into  position  two  jiiecej  of  artillery  on 
the  right  and  four  pieces  on  the  loft.  The  Union  troops  had  con- 
structed a barricade  of  rails,  and  behind  this  frail  defense  lay  down 
as  the  guns  opened.  From  both  flanks  soon  whistled  a tornado  of 
shell  and  canister;  but  each  prostrate  form  remained  unflinching 
as  a rock,  with  musket  clutclied  atid  bayonet  glittering  .above  the 
barricade,  while  the  deadly  missiles  fell  around  them.  Suddenly 
the  ctiemy  opened,  from  behind  the  brick  house  before  mentioned, 
with  two  cannon  which  they  run  out  on  either  side  and  drew  back 
after  discharging.  A fire  was  now  concentrating  upon  the  devoted 
band  from  three  sides;  but  still  they  remained  immovable,  as  if 
rooted  to  the  s[iot. 

Again  the  Parrott  guns  0[)en  njion  the  sheltering  house  and  the 
stealthy  foe  lurking  behind  its  walls.  But  at  this  moment  the  rebel 
inlunti-y  come  forward  on  a charge,  and  with  a wild  yell  clear  the 
first  cornfield.  Again  the  gallant  Union  soldiers  spring  to  meet 
it;  !ind  in  their  midst,  encouraging  them  by  his  bravo  example,  is 
their  heroic  commander.  The  rehels  advance  in  mass,  with  I'cgi- 
mental  ii-ont,  discharging  their  v(jlley.s  as  they  approach  ; but  are 
slightly  checked  by  the  steady,  well  directed  lire  which  oi)ens  fear- 
ful gaps  in  their  ranks.  Their  commander  rode  at  their  head,  cou- 
Bfucuous  in  a rich  scarlet  uniform  glittering  with  gold  lace.  Brand- 
isliiiig  his  sword,  and  encouraging  them  to  the  onset,  ho  boldly 
shouted  a demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  Uinon  colors.  A sharp 
volley  io[>aiil  his  temerity,  and  the  next  instant  the  chivalrous 
leader  lay  stretched  among  the  slain. 


331 


Knoxville^  Tenn. 

It  was  in  this  part  of  the  fray  that  the  heroic  General  Sanders 
was  mortally  wounded.  He  had  taken  the  musket  of  a disabled 
soldier;  and  while  he  still  directed  movements,  discharged  a few 
well-aimed  shots.  In  the  midst  of  the  firing  he  fell  pierced  with  a 
ilinie  bullet,  and  was  borne  from  the  field. 

With  the  loss  of  their  commander,  the  gallant  Unionists  gave 
way,  and  retiring  about  a quarter  of  a mile,  took  possession  of  the 
next  line  of  hills.  This  ended  the  real  contest  of  the  day.  The 
enemy  afterward  threw  forward  his  skirmishers,  and  irregular  firing 
was  maintained  until  dark. 

On  the  Clinton  road  sharp  skirmishing  was  kept  up  with  the 
enemy  until  night,  by  the  two  Kentucky  regiments. 

The  entire  Union  loss  during  the  day  was  about  200. 

During  the  six  day.s  following  {Xovemher  10-21),  little  fighting 
occurred  beyond  occasional  slight  skirmishes.  The  rebel  aiiny  was 
chiefly  engaged  "in  htrengthening  its  approaches  ta  the  city  ; the 
Union  army  in  constructing  additional  defenses.  Under  the  able 
direction  of  Colonel  Doe — General  Burnside’s  chief  of-engineers — 
two  creeks  flowing  through  the  city,  from  the  northward,  were 
dammed  so  that  the  back  water  was  swollen  to  a stream  in  front 
of  the  Federal  rifle-pits,  thus  rendering  an  approach  from  this 
quarter  by  the  enemy  impossible  except  with  the  aid  of  boats  or 
pontoons.  Other  exposed  points  were  protected  by  a cordon  of 
forts,  batteries,  earth-works,  redoubts,  and  rifle-pits.  A large  fort 
at  the  western  end  of  the  city  was  named  Fort  Sanders,  in  honor 
of  the  herd  who  had  fallen  in  defending  the  neighboring  ground, 
and  who  died  of  his  wound  on  the  following  day. 

During  this  interval  shells  were  occasionally  thrown  into  the 
city,  and  rebel  sharp-shooters  watched  every  opportunity  to  pick 
off  their  antagonists. 

On  the  moiming  of  the  24th,  a detachment  of  170  men  from  the 
Second  Michigan  Regiment  charged,  on  a rifle-pit  within  500  yards 
of  the  Union  works  on  the  left.  They  went  down  a long  slope, 
over  fallen  trees,  and  through  rugged  debris,  upon  the  double-quick, 
attacking  and  driving  out  the  rebels  and  occupying  them  for  about 
half  an  hour,  fighting  hand-to-hand  over  the  impalement.  They 
were  met,  however,  by  a whole  brigade;  and  it  being  deemed  un- 
advisable  to  reinforce  them,  lest  it  might  bring  on  a general  engage- 
ment, they  were  ordered  to  retire.  Their  loss  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing  was  eighty-nine,  over  two  thirds  of  whom  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy. 


332 


Kiio'x.ville^  Term. 


On  Wednesday  afternoon  {the  25i/t  inst.\  a sharp  engagement 
occurred  between  a portion  of  Colonel  Cameron’s  brigade  (includ- 
ing many  East  Tennesseeans)  and  a rebel  brigade  which  had  pre- 
viously crossed  to  the  north  side  of  the  Ilolston  River,  a few  miles 
below  Knoxville.  It  was  the  evident  intention  of  the  enemy  to 
create  a diversion  in  this  quarter;  under  cover  of  which,  a grand 
assault  might  be  made  on  the  city.  The  Union  position,  therefore, 
was  attacked  and  the  pickets  driven  in ; but  a resolute  defense  was 
made,  and  after  a stubborn  fight  of  over  an  hour,  the  rebels  were 
forced  back.  The  Union  troo[)3  jnirsued  them  more  than  a mile, 
capturing  a number  of  jn  isoners  and  gaining  for  their  skirmish  line 
the  crest  of  a hill  which  was  occupied  in  the  morning  by  the  enemy. 
The  latter  were  thoroughly  discomfited,  and  left  a large  number  of 
dead  nj)on  the  field.  The  Union  loss  in  this  affair  was  about  100 ; 
the  rebel,  much  larger. 

The  following  day  {Novemler  2Gt/t — the  tenth  day  since  the 
openiny  of  the  siege')  passed  with  remarkable  quiet  along  most 
parts  of  the  Union  lines.  It  was  the  Thursday  appointed  for  the 
national  thanksgiving,  and  was  celebrated  with  an  abundance  of 
good  cheer  ; notwithstanding  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  of  the  impres- 
sion that  their  opponents  were  reduced  to  miserable  rations. 

Colonel  Cameron,  after  the  engagement  of  the  day  before,  tena- 
ciously held  his  position ; and  although  attacked  with  great  fury  on 
Thursday  afternoon,  fouglit  for  nearly  an  hour  and  a half,  and  again 
drove  back  the  enemy.  His  loss  in  this  instance  was  over  sixty 
killed  and  wounded ; but  that  of  the  enemy  was  said  to  be  three 
times  as  great. 

The  rebel  movements  during  the  two  succeeding  days  {the  Vllh 
and  28tA)  were  calculated  to  induce  one  of  two  impressions:  either 
that  they  liad  raised  the  siege  and  were  retiring,  or  that  they  were 
massing  their  columns  on  the  Union  left,  with  a view  to  an  over- 
whelming assault.  But  General  Burnside  was  not  to  bo  thrown  off 
his  guard  by  strategy,  and  accordingly  he  held  his  men  ready  for 
any  emergency. 

Throughout  the  28th  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  pressed  the  Union 
lines  on  the  north  and  northwest  fronts,  with  unusual  vigor,  giving 
indications  that  they  were  preparing  for  the  long-looked-for  assault. 
Between  eleven  and  twelve  o’clock  at  night  a general  attack  was 
made  upon  the  whole  Union  line,  from  its  position  on  the  extreme 
left,  south  of  the  river,  to  the  right  of  the  front,  north  of  the  rail- 
road. The  moon  was  shining  brightly  at  the  time,  and  betrayed 


Knoxville,  Tenn. 


333 


the  rebels  in  strong  battle  array.  Heavy  skirmishing  ensued  wliicb 
lasted  till  near  daylight,  resulting  in  the  falling  back  of  the  pickets. 
The  Union  batteries  opened  upon  the  enemy,  and  a desultory  can- 
nonade vras  kept  up  throughout  the  night,  the  fire  of  the  guns  being 
directed  by  the  flashes  of  the  rebel  rifles  and  the  light  of  their 
bivouac  fires  in  the  rear. 

This  general  advance  upon  the  skirmish  line,  though  intended  to 
disconcert  the  plan  of  the  Union  leaders  and  distract  attention,  had 
the  effect  of  putting  every  man  at  his  post,  and  creating  an  eager 
watch  for  the  point  from  which  the  enemy  would  come  in  force. 

The  long,  anxious  vigils,  rendered  doubly  severe  by  the  crisp 
frosty  atmosphere,  came  to  a termination  with  daylight  on  the  2dt7i 
iiist.  Through  the  gray  dawn  of  morning,  the  foe  was  seen  advanc- 
ing in  three  lines  of  battle,  in  a direction  oblique  to  the  Loudon 
road  and  toward  Fort  S.anders.  Every  man  sprang  to  his  place; 
and  in  a moment  the  Union  artillery  had  opened  upon  them  with 
shell  and  canister.  But  at  the  same  time  a rebel  battery  on  a high 
hiU  across  the  river  was  suddenly  unmasked,  and  poured  a flanking 
fire  upon  the  Federal  rifle-pits  and  the  fort.  These  defenses,  how- 
ever, were  well  protected  by  dense  wings  of  earth  and  bales  of 
cotton;  and  the  hostile  cannonade,  therefore,  caused  little  harm. 
The  b.atteries  of  the  enemy  in  front  and  on  the  other  flank  of  tlio 
fort,  also  took  part  in  the  cauiionado,  but  with  the  same  want  of 
effect.  The  battle  now  became  deafening  ; the  roar  of  artillery  on 
ail  sides,  the  bursting  of  shells,  and  the  rattle  of  musketry  were 
grandly  commingled.  But  despite  the  storm  of  missiles  which 
howled  around  them,  the  rebel  host  came  on,  advancing  with  brig- 
ade front,  slowly  sweeping  over  the  railroad  cut,  and  then  quick- 
ening in  motion  as  the  ground  presented  less  obstruction  ; until  at 
last,  emerging  from  the  nearest  timber,  they  broke  into  an  impetu- 
ous charge.  Across  the  open  space  which  intervened  between  the 
timber  and  the  fort,  and  which  was  obstructed  with  logs  and  the 
stumiis  of  felled  trees,  they  now  came  at  headlong  speed.  The  finst 
check  was  given  them  when  the  head  of  the  column  stumbled  over 
a line  of  telegraph  wire  which  had  been  stretched  through  the  low 
brushwood  and  coiled  from  stump  to  stump,  out  of  ordinary  view. 
As  they  halted  momentarily,  one  falling  over  the  other  till  the 
obstacle  was  discovered,  the  batteries  in  the  fort  had  full  play,  and 
poured  in  their  rounds  quick  and  fast,  while  the  infantry,  under 
Gener.al  Ferrero,  who  commanded  this  i)art  of  the  Union  lino,  kept 
up  a galling  fire.  The  embrasures  of  the  earth- work  and  the  whole 


8G4 


ICnoxville,  Teiin. 


lino  of  tlio  parapet  blazed  at  onco  M'ith  tlicir  discliargo ; still  tlie 
rebels  j)ressed  on,  tlieir  battle  Hags  of  red  with  cross  of  blue  float- 
ing defiantly  above  their  heads,  over  the  serried  line  of  bayonets. 
The  charge  was  led  by  Colonel  Ruff,  of  a Georgia  regiment,  who 
with  the  colonel  of  a Mississippi  regiment  fell  pierced  with  rifle- 
balls  or  torn  by  deadly  gra[)e,  before  they  had  led  their  men  half 
Avay  n[)  the  slope.  'Within  ten  feet  of  the  foot  of  the  parapet  and 
running  entirely  around  that  part  of  the  fort  where  the  charge  was 
made,  was  a pei'pondicular  ditch,  ten  feet  in  dc[)th,  into  which  the 
headlong  column  rushed  pell-mell  before  they  discovered  the  trap. 
Here  the  wounded,  the  dead,  and  the  living,  in  one  bloody  writhing 
mass,  fell  or  jumped  ui)on  each  other  till  the  ditch  was  nearly  full. 
Never  was  there  a chai'ge  more  des[)erate  or  conducted  by  braver 
leaders.  Clambering  u|)  the  steep  (jlucis  of  the  fort,  by  digging  foot- 
holds wdth  their  bayonets,  a number  gained  the  parapet.  A rebel 
color-bearer  planted  his  standard  upon  the  fort;  but  the  flag  and 
its  su[)porter  -were  inslantl}^  captured.  A soldier,  crawling  through 
an  embrasure,  placed  his  hand  n[)ou  a gun  and  demanded  its  sur- 
render ; he  was  shot  beh)re  his  words  were  scarcely  uttered,  and  fell 
back  into  the  ditch.  I'ivery  one  who  gained  the  j>ara[ict  was  imme- 
iliately  disarmed  and  made  i)risoner.  Meantime,  those  in  the  ditch, 
finding  they  could  neither  escape  nor  aid  in  the  assault,  raised  a 
wild  outcry:  it  was  a cry  for  quarter,  mingled  with  the  wail  of  the 
wounded  and  dying.  The  One  Hundredth  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
marching  out  of  the  smith  sally-port,  came  round  so  as  to  enfilade 
the  ditch,  and  demanded  a surrender,  which  was  jiromptly  made. 
The  prisoners,  to  about  the  number  of  150,  were  taken  into  the 
fort,  where  they  were  disarmed  and  sent  to  headquarters.  A largo 
number  of  the  force  who  made  the  charge,  finding  it  impossible  to 
escape  from  under  the  Union  guns,  fell  behind  stumps  and  fallen 
trees,  where  they  remained  till  the  fire  slackened,  ilany  of  these 
also  were  taken  prisoners. 

No  single  regiment  rotii'cd  in  order;  they  went  back  straggling 
in  broken  squads,  or  crawled  away  under  cover  of  whatever 
friendly  obstacles  would  afford  them  shelter.  As  the  main  body 
retired,  the  carnage  among  them  was  fearful.  But  their  disordered 
line  at  length  disappeared  among  the  timber;  while  a wild  shout 
went  up  from  the  victorious  IJnioni.^ts.  The  grand  assault  h:id 
been  made  and  repulsed;  the  storming  party  which  had  so  lately 
advanced  in  all  the  pride  and  confidence  of  veterans  had  met  an 
enemy  their  equal  at  least,  and  were  now  scattered  in  the  woods. 


i 


Knoxville,  Tenn.  335 

Knoxville  was  still  in  Union  hands.  A truce  was  now  agreed  on 
for  the  burial  of  the  dead  and  the  relief  of  the  wounded.  Friend 
and  foe  joined  in  these  sad  offices,  and  the  work  of  Christian  mercy 
and  humanity  was  faithful  performed.  The  trenches  and  the 
ground  around  the  fort  presented  a sickening  spectacle ; and  many 
of  the  stoutest  hearts  shrank  back  from  it  with  liorror.  Heaps  of 
the  slain,  intermixed  with  writhing  forms  and  mutilated  limbs,  lay 
scattered  around ; and  the  convulsed  air  was  tormented  with  hid- 
eous groans  and  shrieks.  But  by  nightfall  the  terrible  -wreck  was 
mostly  removed,  and  the  moonlight  shone  down  only  on  the  blood- 
stained earth. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  this  terrible  assault  was  about  125 
killed,  nearly  400  wounded,  and  234  prisoners — in  all,  probably  not 
far  from  750  ; while  that  of  the  Unionists — strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear— was  only  four  killed  and  eighteen  wounded.  This  remark- 
able disparity  finds  a parallel  nowhere  in  the  history  of  the  national 
■wars,  save  in  General  Jackson’s  famous  battle  at  New  Orleans.  The 
rebels  also  lost  three  stands  of  colors  and  500  stands  of  arms. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  engaged  in  the  assault  on  Fort  Sanders 
consisted  of  three  brigades,  under  the  direction  of  Generals  Hum- 
phrey and  Bryant.  That  they  confidently  expected  to  take  the 
city,  there  is  abundant  evidence.  Their  ropuiso,  therefore,  was  all 
the  more  disastrous  and  demoralizing. 

"While  the  main  battle  was  in  progress  at  Fort  Sanders,  a sharp 
skirmish  occurred  in  front  of  General  Shackelford’s  line  south  of 
the  city.  The  Union  pickets  were  driven  in  ; but  afterward  retook 
their  position,  losing  about  four  killed  and  eighteen  -wounded. 

Subsequently  to  the  events  of  the  29th,  the  siege  of  Knoxville 
was  continued  for  five  days  {November  to  December  4:th  inclu- 
sive). The  enemy,  however,  made  no  attempt  to  renew  the  assault, 
and  beyond  occasional  slight  skirmishes  caused  little  disturbance. 
On  the  3d  of  December  the  adv.ance-guard  of  General  Sherman’s 
army,  which  had  been  ordered  hither  by  General  Grant,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  the  siege,  reached  the  city.  General  Longstreet  had 
already  taken  alarm,  and  had  begun  withdrawing  his  forces.  On 
the  3d  inst..  General  Sherman’s  troops  continued  to  arrive  ; while, 
through  a gap  in  the  timber  to  the  north  of  the  city,  long  lines  of 
rebel  wagons  could  bo  seen  passing  all  day,  evidently  en  route  for 
some  safer  locality.  The  Union  batteries  shelled  them  as  they 
wont  by ; and  the  rebels  fired  a few  shots  in  return,  but  with  no 
effect. 


16 


336 


Chattanooga^  Tenn. 


Thus  ended  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  the  conclusion  of  which — • 
followed  by  the  retreat  of  the  insurgent  forces  from  East  Tennes- 
see— was  regarded  of  such  importance  that  the  President  issued  a 
proclamation  on  the  7th  of  December,  recommending  that  “ all 
loyal  people  do,  on  receipt  of  this  information,  assemble  at  their 
places  of  worship,  and  render  special  homage  and  gratitude  to 
Almighty  God  for  this  great  advancement  of  the  national  cause.” 

1*-* 

CHATTANOOGA,  TENN. 

November  23  to  25,  1863. 

Unionists^  iLiider  Oentral  Qrani^  numbers  not  reported.  Total  loss  about  4,000. 
Ditunioniats^  under  General  Bragg.,  about  68,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  estimated 
at  not  less  than  4,000;  prisoners.,  over  6,000,  besides  the  xoounded  left  in  Union 
hands.  Total  loss  {including  stragglers)  believed  to  be  from  15,000  to  16,000. 

After  the  battle  of  Chiekamauga,  the  military  departments  of 
the  Ohio,  the  Cumberland,  and  the  Tennessee  were  combined  with 
that  of  the  Mississippi,  by  order  of  the  national  executive,  under 
the  stylo  of  the  “ Military  Division  of  the  ^Mississippi.”  General 
Grant,  having  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  same,  assumed 
the  duties  of  his  office  on  the  18th  of  October. 

The  attack  on  Brown’s  Ferry  and  the  capture  of  Lookout  Val- 
ley, October  27  to  29,  the  circumstances  of  which  have  already 
been  detailed,  were  made  under  General  Grant’s  authority.  Hav- 
ing thus  secured  an  easy  channel  of  sui)i)lies  for  the  mam  body  of 
his  troo])s  at  Chattanooga,  he  now  turned  his  attention  to  raising  the 
siege  of  the  city  and  gaining  full  possession  of  Lookout  Mountain. 

An  examination  of  the  rebel  lines  showed  that  they  were  drawn 
out  to  a great  length  ; and  in  consequence  of  this  prolongation  and 
the  sending  of  Longstreet’s  forces  into  East  Tennessee,  were  atten- 
uated nearly  to  a spider’s  thread.  'I’iio  exterior  line  upon  Mission- 
ary Ridge  (an  elevation  two  or  three  miles  east  of  Chattanooga, 
reaching  from  the  vicinity  of  Tennessee  River  into  Georgia)  was 
not  far  from  seven  miles  in  length  ; while  the  inner  lines  of  rifle- 
pits  and  similar  defenses,  facing  Chattanooga  and  running,  across 
the  valley  from  Missionary  Ridge  to  the  northern  point  of  Look- 
out Mountain  at  the  westward,  were  not  less  than  five  miles  long. 
Two  of  the  localties  just  mentioned  were  of  especial  importance  to 
the  enemy  : namely.  Missionary  Ridge— the  key  to  his  position — 
and  Lookout  Mountain,  valuable  chiefly  as  a barrier  to  Hooker,  who 
still  held  Lookout  Valley,  on  the  west  side  of  the  mountain. 


Chattanooga^  Tenn. 


339 


It  was  supposed  that  the  rebels  would  defend  the  ridge  with  tho 
main  strength  of  their  army ; as  the  position  opposed  to  Hooker 
could  be  held  probably  by  a small  force.  But  General  Grant  was 
of  the  opinion  that  by  attacking  the  enemy's  flanks  vigorously,  and 
60  forcing  him  to  keep  his  lines  lengthened  and  thus  weakened  as 
we  have  described,  it  would  give  the  Union  troops  a favorable  oji- 
portunity  to  test  tho  strength  of  the  rebel  center,  and  possibly  to 
carry  tho  ridge.  It  was  therefore  decided  that  General  Sherman, 
with  a force  consisting  mainly  of  three  divisions  of  his  army  which 
had  been  brought  hither  from  Mississippi,  should  move  under  cover 
of  night  to  a point  on  the  north  side  of  Tennessee  River,  nearly 
opposite  the  end  of  Missionary  Ridge ; and  at  an  early  hour  on  the 
following  morning  should  throw  a pontoon  bridge  across  the  river, 
and  protected  by  artillery,  transfer  his  troo[)s  to  the  opposite  shore, 
and  if  possible  gain  possession  of  tho  northern  extremity  of  tho 
ridge.  At  the  same  tune  General  Hooker  was  to  operate  with  three 
divisions  of  his  army  against  Lookout  Mountain,  his  primary  object 
being  to  hold  tho  rebels  there,  but  authorized,  if  a favorable  oppor 
tunity  occurred,  to  take  possession  of  tho  heights.  During  the 
progress  of  these  movements.  General  Thomas  was  to  hold  two 
corps  in  readiness  to  strike  at  the  rebel  center,  whenever,  in  the 
opinion  of  General  Grant,  the  auspicious  moment  arrived.  Finally 
a corps  under  command  of  General  Howard  was  to  be  retained  in 
Chattanooga,  as  a reserve,  either  to  aid  Sherman  or  Thomas,  as 
might  be  necessary. 

The  above  plan  was  to  have  been  put  in  execution  on  Saturday, 
"November  21st ; but  owing  to  unexpected  hindrances,  Sherman 
was  not  ready  for  crossing  the  river  until  Tuesday  morning.  On 
Monday,  however,  a trivial  circumstance  brought  about  a develop- 
ment which,  without  changing  the  jilan,  rather  advanced  it,  and 
increased  the  chances  of  success.  Reports  had  come  in  during  the 
iiiorniiig  that  the  rebels  were  evacuating  the  ridge  in  front.  It  was 
found  on  examination  that  numbers  of  their  troops  were  being 
withdrawn  thence,  and  transferred  to  some  other  point.  About  noon, 
therefore,  General  Thomas,  with  the  approval  of  his  superior  ofii- 
cer,  determined  on  a reconnoissance  to  learn  the  intent  of  the 
movement,  and  also  for  tho  purpose  of  developing  the  enemy's 
right,  it  being  a matter  of  considerable  interest  in  view^  of  Sher- 
man’s operations  to  know  how  strongly  Bragg  was  posted  on  the 
northern  part  of  the  ridge.  Accordingly  a division,  under  command 
of  General  Wood,  was  marched  out,  formed  in  order,  and  advanced 


ij 


340 


Chattanooga^  Tenn. 


in  line  of  bnltlo  as  if  on  parado.  The  rebels  watched  the  formation 
and  inoveinent  from  their  jjicket  lines  and  rifle-pits,  and  from  the 
summit  of  Missionary  Ridge,  five  hundred  feet  above  ; and  thought 
it  was  a review  and  drill,  so  openly,  so  deliberately,  and  with  such 
exact  order  was  it  all  done. 

About  half-past  one,  the  troops  pushed  forward,  under  cover  of 
the  heavy  guns  of  Fort  Wood — the  principal  Union  work  to  the 
east  of  Oliattanooga — and  soon  after,  the  Federal  skirmishers  came 
upon  the  rebel  pickets  and  drove  them  into  their  first  line  of  rifle- 
pits.  The  advance  was  rapidly  and  brilliantly  executed.  Indeed, 
as  was  afterward  acknowledged  by  many  of  the  prisoners  captured, 
it  was  a surprise  in  open  daylight. 

A severe  fire  was  now  poured  forth  from  the  rifle-pits;  but, 
although  quite  destructive,  it  did  not  for  a moment  check  the 
onward  movement.  The  rebels  were  quickly  driven  thence,  and 
the  Union  troops,  pressing  forward,  found  themselves  at  the  foot 
of  two  hills  holding  a commanding  position  about  half-way  between 
Fort  Wood  and  Missionary  Ridge,  and  situated  on  the  western  side 
of  a little  tributary  of  the  Tennessee  River  called  Oitico  Creek. 
Along  the  crest  of  the  principal  one  of  these  hills,  known  as  Orch- 
ard Knob,  the  enemy  had  constructed  a redoubt  of  considerable 
strength.  General  Wood,  perceiving  the  importance  of  the  position, 
and  the  necessity  of  capturing  the  work  before  a strong  force  could 
bo  massed  for  its  defense,  ordered  an  immediate  assault.  The  Fif- 
teenth Ohio  Regiment  charged  up  the  Knob,  in  admirable  order, 
while  the  rest  of  the  advance  was  engaged  with  the  force  which  had  ^ 
occupied  the  rifle-pits.  The  summit  was  soon  cleared  of  the  foe, 
and  a considerable  number  of  prisoners  taken. 

Although  now  far  advanced  toward  the  enemy’s  line  of  works  on 
Missionary  Ridge,  the  flanks  of  the  assailing  force  were  entirely  un- 
molested. General  Wood  found  the  position  taken  even  stronger 
than  anticipated.  It  was  in  short  cannon  range  of  the  enemy’s  camps 
along  Citico  Creek,  and  within  reach  of  the  heavy  line  established 
by  them  on  the  summit  of  the  ridge.  Finding  also  that  the  enemy, 
for  some  time,  remained  quiet,  ho  reported  the  fact;  when  ho 
was  ordered  to  intrench  himself,  and  was  assured  that  his  flanks 
would  be  protected.  To  accomplish  the  latter  object.  General 
Howard’s  reserve  was  directed  to  take  a position  in  line  on  Citico 
Creek,  closing  its  right  well  upon  Wood’s  left;  while  a division 
under  command  of  General  Sheridan  was  ordered  to  the  support 
of  Wood’s  right. 


341 


Chattanooga,  Tenn. 


The  rebels  finding  the  Union  force  on  Orchard  Knob  intrenching 
themselves,  began,  about  five  o’clock,  a vigorous  shelling  of  tiiat 
point;  but  although  it  was  kept  up  from  three  batteries  till  dark, 
no  damage  was  done.  During  the  night,  the  posith^n  here  and  on 
the  neighboring  flanks  w'as  strengthened  by  various  means,  botli 
ofiensiw  and  defensive,  so  as  to  render  it  easily  tenable  by  the 
Federal  troops. 

About  the  same  time  that  General  Wood’s  column  had  begun  its 
movement  in  the  direction  of  Orcliard  Knob,  General  Palmer  with 
a portion  of  his  corps  advanced  threateningly  along  the  line  of  a 
road  leading  southward  from  Chattanooga.  Having  taken  a posi- 
tion well  toward  the  rebel  line,  he  held  it,  ready  at  dawn  to  continue 
his  demonstrations  in  this  direction,  or  to  aid  Sheridan’s  force  co- 
operating with  Wood,  in  an  assault  on  the  ridge. 

It  had  become  evident  from  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon,  that  ho  suspected  Sherman’s 
intended  crossing  of  the  river  and  attack  on  tlio  end  of  the  ridge. 
A long  column  of  rebels  was  seen  moving  north  and  disappearing 
about  the  more  formidable  hills  near  where  the  ridge  is  cut  by  the 
tunnel  of  the  railroad  leading  east  from  Chattanooga.  But  whether 
they  were  to  oppose  Sherman’s  crossing  or  merely  hold  the  hill 
remained  a matter  of  doubt. 

Tuesday  morning,  November  24th,  was  gloomy,  threatening  rain  ; 
and  until  quite  late,  the  Union  forces  remained  nearly  inactive ; 
only  a few  guns  from  Fort  Wood  disturbed  the  rebel  center.  The 
day  was  chosen  for  operations  on  the  flanks ; and  for  that  purpose 
Hooker  and  Sherman  began  to  move  quite  early. 

General  Howard’s  corps,  which,  on  Monday  afternoon,  had  been 
brought  to  the  support  of  Wood’s  left,  was  now  ordered  to  open 
communication  with  Sherman  along  the  southeast  side  of  the  Ten- 
nessee River.  It  was  noon,  however,  before  this  somewhat 
hazardous  undertaking  was  accomplished. 

In  the  mean  time  General  Sherman,  meeting  with  but  slight 
opposition,  had  been  rapidly  executing  his  work.  The  last  boat  of 
liis  pontoon  bridge  was  being  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  stream 
when  the  advance-guard  of  Howard’s  troops  arrived.  At  a very 
early  hour,  Sherman  had  thrown  a portion  of  one  of  his  divisions 
across  the  river,  under  the  protection  of  a battery,  and  subsequently 
the  other  divisions,  the  greater  portion  being  transported  by  a small 
steamer  which  had  been  brought  up  the  river  for  this  purpose. 
Immediately  on  arrival  they  had  constructed  a double  line  of  rifle- 


342 


Chattanooga.,  Tenn. 


p';s  covering  the  approacli  to  the  bridge  and  adding  much  to  tlio 
etrengtii  of  a position  naturally  well  suited  to  defense.  Here  they 
were  waiting  the  arrival  of  a division  of  the  fourteenth  corps,  which 
was  to  occupy  ^le  works  during  their  advance.  The  latter  crossed 
the  river  and  entered  the  rifle-pits  about  one  o’clock.  At  the  same 
moment  General  Sherman  gave  orders  to  prepare  for  an  attack  on 
the  enemy. 

By  this  time  a drizzling  rain,  which  had  been  threatening  since 
morning,  began  to  fall,  and  the  hills  to  be  assaulted  were  soon  hid- 
den from  view.  The  troops  w'ere  formed  in  three  columns;  and 
in  a few  moments  were  moving  forward  silently  and  steadily.  But 
it  was  not  destined  that  Tuesday  should  witness  a serious  contest 
for  the  heights.  General  Sherman  had  anticipated  skirmishing  be- 
fore reaching  the  foot  of  the  mountain ; it  having  been  reported 
that  the  enemy  held  the  position,  in  strong  force.  But  the  base  of 
the  acclivity  was  reached,  after  a short  delay,  without  much 
opposition. 

The  enemy  made  no  resistance  to  the  occupation  of  the  extreme 
end  of  the  ridge,  and  Sherman  was  in  possession  of  it  about  four 
o’clock.  It  then  appeared  that  this  portion  of  the  heights  consisted 
of  three  hills  separated  from  the  main  line  of  the  ridge  by  a nar- 
row valley,  through  which  the  railroad  runs,  and  which  opens 
into  the  tunnel.  These  hills  form  a semicircular  line  bending  around 
the  north  end  of  the  ridge,  the  high  and  rugged  abutment  of  which 
lying  beyond  is  generally  called  Tunnel  Hill.  As  the  latter  over- 
looks and  commands  the  hills  of  which  General  Sherman  was  now 
in  peaceable  possession,  ho  found  on  exandnation  that  the  real  labor 
assigned  him  still  remained  to  be  done.  The  enemy  were  strongly 
posted  both  at  the  top  and  foot  of  Tunnel  Hill.  On  the  summit, 
they  were  engaged  in  strengthening  a large  bastion-shaped  work 
known  as  Fort  Buckner,  laboring  with  great  vigor  and  in  large  force 
as  if  the  fort  had  not  been  completed.  At  the  foot  of  the  mount- 
ain, and  near  the  west  end  of  the  tunnel,  a force  of  about  one 
brigade  held  the  heavy  railroad  bank. 

General  Sherman  ordered  the  erection  of  defenses  on  the  hills 
he  had  occupied,  and  here  paused  for  the  day. 

LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN. 

"While  these  important  movements  were  in  progress  on  the 
right  flank  of  the  rebel  lines.  General  Hooker  was  achieving  a glori- 
ous success  on  the  left  flank.  The  task  assigned  him,  as  we  have 
before  noticed,  was  to  assault  Lookout  Mountain  ; and  in  the  event 


345’ 


Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

\ 

of  finding  a weak  force  holding  it,  or  the  failure  of  the  enemy  to 
weaken  tlie  rest  of  their  line  in  order  to  hold  it,  to  take  possession 
of  the  mountain,  llis  force  consisted  of  only  two  divisions  and 
two  brigades. 

The  rebels  occupied  the  western  side  of  Lookout  in  very  strong 
force,  and  also  the  north  end  or  spur  of  the  mountain  toward  the 
Tennessee  River.  The  sjopo  from  the  summit  of  the  elevation  to 
the  foot  is  irregular,  the  first  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  of  tlio 
descent  consisting  of  perpendicular  rooks,  or  what  is  generally 
termed  palisades.  There  are  but  two  routes  by  which  the  palisadea 
can  be  overcome:  one  a gap  twenty  miles  south  of  the  river, 
which  was  held  by  the  rebels;  the  other,  a road  that  winds  up  the 
cast  side  of  the  mountain,  ascending  the  palisades  along  a steep  ami 
narrow  way.  General  Hooker’s  plan  was  to  get  pos.session  of  this 
road,  the  gaining  of  which  insured  possession  of  the  mountain. 

He  began  his  operations  early  on  Tuesday  morning.  By  eight 
o’clock  his  column  was  moving  up  Lookout  Valley  ; and,  to  the 
surprise  of  the  enemy  on  the  point  of  the  mountain,  it  disappeared 
in  the  forest  to  the  southward.  Here,  filing  to  the  left,  the  troops 
began  tbe  difficult  task  of  ascending  the  steep  acclivity  ; but  meet- 
ing with  no  opposition,  were  enabled  to  do  this  in  a short  time. 
Having  reached  the  palisades,  they  were  drawn  u[)  in  order  of  bat- 
tle, facing  the  north,  with  the  right  resting  against  the  palisades  and 
extending  in  three  lines  down  the  mountain  slope. 

Thus  arranged,  the  corps  was  ordered  forward.  Marching  along 
the  slope  of  the  ridge,  with  a heavy  line  of  skirmishers  thrown 
out,  it  soon  came  upon  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  who,  unsuspecting  a 
move  so  opposed  to  ordinary  military  rules,  were  completely  sur- 
prised. Before  the  rebels  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  could  comprehend 
the  situation,  the  Union  skirmishers  had  penetrated  far  toward  the 
point  of  the  mountain  and  poured  in  a heavy  fire  upon  them  as  they 
were  trying  to  escape  up  the  acclivity.  The  Unionists  were  now 
assaulting  tliem  from  above— a complete  reverse  of  the  late  situa- 
tion of  the  combatants.  At  tbe  same  time,  the  Federal  batteries 
at  Moccasin  Point  on  the  north  side  of  the  Tennessee  River,  and 
the  rebel  batteries  on  the  point  of  Lookout  Mountain,  opened  fire 
upon  each  other,  and  soon  the  whole  mountain  was  hid  from  view 
in  Chattanooga  by  the  cloud  of  smoke  which  rose  above  and 
around  it. 

The  enemy,  now  taken  in  front  and  rear,  made  but  Httle  organ- 
ized resistance.  But  his  skirmishers  for  a long  time  kept  up  a 


346  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

lioavy  fii'o  from  lieliiiul  jutting  rocks  and  trees.  They  were  forced 
hack,  liowcver,  h}’  the  advaiieo  of  Hooker;  and  at  length  the  whole 
force  on  the  point  of  the  iiioiinlain  gradually  gave  way,  and  re- 
treated in  some  disorder  to  a line  of  breast-works  at  Carlin’s  house, 
not  far  from  the  north  end  of  the  mountain,  on  the  eastern  slope. 
The  Union  troops  then  swung  around,  till  their  line  was  parallel 
with  that  of  the  enemy,  and  again  advanced  ; hut  met  by  organ- 
ized and  well-directed  resistance,  they  recoiled  and  for  a time  hes- 
itated. During  this  pause,  the  rear-guard  were  engaged  in  gather- 
ing up  prisoners  from  the  force  which  stationed  ac  the  foot  of  tlie 
hill  and  along  the  river  had  been  cut  off  by  Hooker's  rapid  advance ; 
1,300  were  thus  secured. 

The  defenses  behind  which  the  enemy  had  now  sheltered  himself 
consisted  of  long  and  deep  rifle-pits  extending  diagonally  across  a 
large  open  field,  of  which  Cai-lin’s  house  is  the  center.  General 
Hooker,  after  a close  examination  of  this  ])osition,  made  a new  dis- 
position of  his  force  and  began  a systematic  assault.  The  enemy, 
if  proj)erly  reinforced  at  this  point,  could  have  held  the  mountain 
against  greatly  sui)erior  numbers;  but  weakened  by  previous  losses 
had  to  contract  his  line  to  works  immediately  across  the  field,  and 
in  so  doing  left  his  right  flank  exposed. 

Now  began  the  heavy  struggle  of  the  day.  An  advance  of  the 
Union  forces  was  ordered,  and  for  an  hour  and  a half  a very  heavy 
sharp-shooter’s  fire  was  kept  up.  It  is  impossible  to  give  a clear 
idea  of  this  engagement.  It  was  no  place  to  maneuver  columns; 
each  man  or  comijany  fought,  as  it  were,  independently.  From 
Chattanooga  nothing  was  visible  save  the  misty  smoke  which  en- 
veloped and  hid  the  mountain.  Hut  beneath  this  canopy  the  com- 
batants saw  each  other  and  continued  their  desperate  struggle. 

At  four  o’clock  there  came  a tide  in  Hooker’s  fortune  which  he 
did  not  fail  to  take  at  the  flood.  His  skirmish  line  was  enabled, 
under  the  c(jver  of  trees,  which  grew  along  that  ])art  of  the  ridge, 
to  advance  much  nearer  the  rebel  line  than  the  forces  in  the  open 
field,  and  to  gain  a position  on  the  enemy’s  flank.  Here — the 
weakness  of  the  foe  having  compelled  him  to  contract  his  left — a 
lodgment  was  ettected  very  near  Ids  rifle-i)its.  General  Hooker 
being  informed  of  this,  at  fouro’clock,  ordered  a charge;  and  through 
a lieavy  and  rapid  fire  the  men  dashed  forward  upon,  over,  and 
into  the  abandoned  intrenchments. 

The  rebels  fell  back,  yielding  their  works,  artillery,  and  position, 
yet  still  holding  the  all-important  road.  The  Unionists,  however, 


347 


. Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

had  scarcely  occupied  tlie  captured  position,  when  tliey  were  in 
turn  assaulted.  Then  followed  an  obstinate  struggle ; but  the 
rebels  were  steadily  held  in  check,  until  at  length  the  ammunition 
of  their  opponents  began  to  fail.  The  Union  line  was  being  thinned 
by  men  who  had  fired  their  sixty  rounds,  and  were  falling  back, 
hoping  to  replenish  their  exhausted  cartridge-boxes.  The  emer- 
gency was  of  the  greatest  moment.  The  enemy  were  perceiving 
their  advantage  and  pressing  forward  with  additional  vigor. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  a brigade  arrived  from  Chattanooga 
bringing  a fresh  sup[)ly  of  ammunition.  Advancing,  at  double- 
quick,  to  the  front,  they  relieved  their  w'earied  comrades  and 
assumed  the  burden  of  the  day.  Ten  minutes  later  the  enemy  had 
been  rejiulsed.  It  was  now  night,  and  spectators  at  Chattanooga 
described  this  light  as  tlio  most  magnilicent  view  of  tlio  grand 
panorama  of  war  they  had  ever  witnessed.  It  was  beginning  to 
be  dark  enough  to  see  the  flash  of  the  muskets,  and  still  light 
enough  to  distinguish  the  general  outline  of  the  contending  hosts, 
The  mountain  was  lit  up  by  the  flres  of  men  in  the  second  line, 
and  by  the  flash  of  musketry  and  artillery  in  the  first.  An  un- 
earthly noise  arose  from  the  mountaiu  as  if  tlio  old  monster  was 
groaning  beneath  tlie  punishment  inflicted  upon  it  by  the  pigmy 
combatants.  During  all,  the  great  guns  on  the  summit  of  Lookout 
continued,  as  in  rage,  to  bellow  defiance  to  the  smaller  guns  of 
Aloccasin  Point,  which  with  ligliter  tone  and  more  rapid  discharges, 
as  if  mocking  the  imbecility  of  their  giant  enemy,  continued  to  fire 
till  twilight  deepened  into  darkness. 

The  day  had  been  one  of  dense  mists  and  rains  ; and  '■‘■much  of 
General  Hooker's  battle  was  fought  above  the  clouds,"  which  con- 
cealed him  from  view  in  Chattanooga,  but  from  which  his  musketry 
was  plaiiilj'  lieard.  At  nightfall  the  sky  cleared,  and  tlie  full  moorr 
shod  its  beams  in  radiant  splendor  over  the  broad  landscape. 

The  events  which  had  just  transpired  proved  important  successes 
to  the  Union  arms ; and  all  night  the  detached  hills  at  the  north 
end  of  Missionary  Ridge,  on  the  extreme  left,  and  the  northeast 
slope  of  Lookout  Mountain,  on  the  extreme  right,  blazed  with  the 
camp-fires  of  loyal  troops. 

At  daylight  on  the  2uth,  the  Stars  and  Stripes  were  descried  on 
the  peak  of  Lookout.  The  rebels  had  evacuated  the  mountain. 
They  had  also  abandoned  Chattanooga  Valley,  and  were  collecting 
their  whole  strength  on  Missionary  Ridge,  determined,  at  any  sac- 
rifice, to  hold  this  grand  key  to  their  position. 


348 


Chattanooga^  Tenn. 


General  Hooker  pursued  the  retreating  enemy,  but  did  not  suc- 
ceed iu  coming  up  with  him.  He  descended  the  mountain,  how- 
ever, and  taking  a southeasterly  course,  crossed  the  broad  valley 
which  lay  before  him,  and  made  the  ascent  of  Mission  Ridge,  at  or 
near  the  old  battle-field  of  Chickamauga.  Here  he  was  at  the 
south  of  Rossville  and  in  the  rear  of  the  rebel  line  on  the  cast  side 
of  Chattanooga  Valley,  being  thus  entirely  cut  olf  from  the  rest 
of  the  Union  army  ; but  ns  ho  afterward  proved,  perfectly  able  to 
provide  for  his  own  emergencies. 

TUNNliL  HILL. 

During  the  night  General  Sherman  had  strengthened  his  position 
at  the  north  end  of  Mission  Ridge  with  strong  rifle-pits,  and  had 
jiosted  artillery  on  his  right  and  left,  thus  getting  in  an  enfilading 
fire  on  Fort  Buckner  upon  the  opposite  brow  of  Tunnel  Hill.  The 
operations  of  the  ensuing  day,  on  his  part,  began  with  an  attack  by 
his  right  upon  the  enemy  posted  behind  the  railroad  bank  west  of 
the  tunnel.  The  attack  was  made  at  ten  o’clock,  and  resulted  in 
the  retirement  of  the  Union  troops  after  a short  fight  in  Avhich  the 
full  strength  of  the  enemy  was  developed. 

While  this  movement  was  in  progress,  an  advance  was  made  on 
the  left  by  three  regiments  of  General  Lightburn’s  brigade,  which 
succeeded  in  effecting  a lodgment  on  Tunnel  Hill.  General  Corse’s 
command  was  ordered  to  reinforce  them,  and  mounting  the  hill  in 
gallant  style,  reached  the  edge  of  the  crest  without  opposition,  as  the 
troops  before  them  had  done.  Their  unmolested  advance  thus  far 
was  attributable  to  the  position  of  Fort  Buckner,  toward  whicli 
they  were  directing  their  course;  the  fort  being  situated,  noton  the" 
immediate  crest  of  the  hill,  but  on  a plateau  lying  just  beyond,  and 
therefore  unable  to  command  the  approach  until  the  crest  was 
passed. 

General  Corse  took  the  lead  of  the  whole  force ; and  at  eleven 
o’clock  pushed  over  the  crest,  gained  the  plateau,  and  charged  on 
the  fort.  Ho  was  met  by  a tremendous  volley.  The  opening 
chorus  was  well  worthy  to  bo  the  prologue  of  the  day’s  drama; 
for  it  had  all  the  merit  of  brevity  and  briskness.  It  lasted  but  ten 
minutes.  The  men  fell  back  under  the  crest  of  the  hill,  but  left 
their  dead  and  wounded  in  the  enemy’s  rifle-pits.  As  they  retreat- 
ed, the  Union  batteries  from  the  hills  on  the  north  opened  on  the 
pursuing  enemy,  and  speedily  checked  his  progress. 

This  column  had  hardly  fallen  back  to  its  position,  when  from 
the  right  appeared  another  Union  brigade  pushing  steadily  and 


840 


Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

rapidly  across  some  open  fields  in  a persistent  and  stronger  attack 
on  the  railroad  bank  before  assailed.  The  enemy  offered  a warm 
reception;  but,  one  of  the  Union  regiments  appearing  upon  their 
left  flank,  and  a severe  cannonade  being  opened  against  tlieir  right, 
they  failed  to  stand  the  assault,  and  hastily  abandoning  their  posi- 
tion, fled  up  the  hill  to  the  fort. 

AVhile  this  had  been  going  on.  General  Corse  had  been  reinforced 
by  a portion,  if  not  all,  of  a brigade.  General  Lightburn  now  took 
command  of  the  entire  force,  and  ordered  an  immediate  advance. 
The  assault  was  more  desperate  and  bloody  than  before.  It  had 
no  salient  point  to  be  described.  It  was  simply  a steady  and  slow 
advance  of  the  whole  line  to  within  a few  dozen  yards  of  the  fort, 
occupying  three  quarters  of  an  hour;  and  then  a rapid  retreat  to 
the  former  position  behind  the  crest  of  the  hill;  leaving  the  dead 
and  wounded  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Generals  Corse  and 
Giles  Smith  were  seriously  wounded,  but  were  borne  off  by  their 
comrades,  and  carried  to  the  rear.  The  troops  were  now  re-formed 
in  a new  line  of  battle ; and  under  the  orders  of  Lightburn,  lay 
down  to  rest,  and  await  the  possible  attack  of  the  enemy. 

From  this  time — quarter  jiast  twelve — until  half-past  one,  there 
was  a pause  in  Sherman’s  struggle.  It  was  a solemn  interval,  pre- 
saging a terrible  concert  of  movements  with  the  Union  center, 
under  the  immediate  eye  of  General  Grant.  General  Sherman 
occupied  the  time  in  inditing  a message  to  Grant  and  in  preparing 
for  a more  determined  assault. 

The  battle  at  Tunnel  Hill,  at  the  north  of  the  ridge,  was  at 
length  renewed.  A brigade  on  Sherman’s  right,  disdaining  the 
protection  of  the  railroad  bank,  rushed  forward  and  strove  with 
the  enemy  for  the  possession  of  an  abrupt  ledge  of  rock  which, 
outcropping  from  the  hillside,  afforded  a secure  position,  to  an  at- 
tacking column,  not  more  than  fifty  yards  from  Fort  Buckner.  The 
fort,  it  may  be  observed,  was  near  the  crest  of  the  west  side  of  the 
hill,  up  which  the  brigade  was  now  moving.  The  assailants  at 
length  gained  possession  of  the  ledge,  and  were  reinforced  by  a 
second  brigade.  But  as  the  latter  was  moving  up,  the  enemy  not 
only  poured  in  upon  them  a continuous  musketry-fire  (harmless, 
however),  but  rolled  down  huge  stones  upon  the  troops  behind  the 
lodge,  which  leaping  over  the  outjutting  rocks  fell  among  the  men 
with  great  force  and  destructiveness.  The  latter  unable  to  bear 
the  Titanic  avalanche  thus  hurled  ujjon  them,  at  length  demanded 
to  be  led  against  the  fort,  and  without  waiting  for  their  reinforce- 


350 


Chattanooga,  Tenn. 


ments,  rushed  forward  with  maddened  impetuosity.  But  tho}- 
were  met  with  such  a heavy  fire  that,  in  their  temporarily  disor- 
dered state,  they  were  unable  to  breast  it ; and  breaking  their 
ranks,  they  turned  and  fled.  Only  the  color-bearer  of  one  of  the 
regiments  remained  in  position.  Here  he  continued  waving  his 
flag ; till  the  retreating  forces,  having  met  the  brigade  advancing  to 
their  support,  rallied,  marched  again  in  good  order  to  their  posi- 
tion, and  rescued  their  flag  from  the  enemy,  who  were  now  making 
a charge  for  its  po.ssession.  The  color-bearer  remained  unhurt. 
The  two  brigades  now  lay  down  as  at  first;  when  the  enemy 
again  began  their  wild  work  with  the  huge  rolling  stones:  but 
this  time  they  failed  to  break  the  line,  though  the  troops  were 
much  harassed. 

General  Sherman,  not  content  with  the  strength  of  the  column 
now  resting  on  the  hillside,  ordered  two  other  regiments  to  their, 
support;  the  latter  dashed  forward,  and  took  a strong  position  half- 
way up  the  hill.  No  sooner  did  they  gain  their  post,  than  their 
companions  before  them  again  moved  to  the  assault  with  loud 
shouts  of  encouragement.  The  enemy  sprang  to  their  guns  ; and 
from  six  pieces  of  artillery  and  a long  line  of  musketry,  a heavy 
and  destructive  fire  swept  down  upon  them.  The  last  two  regi- 
ments that  had  just  clambered  the  hill,  although  out  of  breath  with 
their  efforts,  rushed  forward  in  support  of  the  van.  The  hill  at 
this  time  fitfully  flashed  and  flared  with  flame ; and  the  columns 
and  flags,  the  figures  of  both  friend  and  foe,  being  plainly  visible, 
there  was  presented  one  of  the  grandest  visions  of  war  the  eye 
ever  beheld  ; it  was  indescribable.  Imagination  can  not  picture  a 
scene  equal  to  the  sublime  reality. 

Through  a half  hour  of  slow,  toilsome  ascent  did  the  heroic  col- 
umn move  on.  The  enemy  continued  without  intermission  to  pour 
canister  and  musket-balls  upon  it.  But  the  stout-hearted  braves 
still  toiled  on,  upward,  gained  the  crest,  made  one  wild  dash  at  the 
guns ; and  were  hurled  back  in  confusion,  as  from  the  crater  of  an 
exploding  volcano.  Maddened  with  rage  and  desperation,  however, 
they  still  maintained  an  undaunted  front ; and  from  their  lino  the 
fire  leaped  up,  almost  meeting  in  one  blazing  sheet  that  of  the 
enemy.  Success  at  length  seemed  within  their  very  grasp ; when 
a single  brigade  staggered,  broke  apparently  in  utter  confusion,  and 
rushed  wildly  down  the  slope.  The  rest  remained  steadfast,  however, 
— immovable  as  basaltic  columns  upon  the  defiant  hillside.  Their 
retreating  companions,  moreover,  did  not  fly  to  the  foot  of  the  hill ; 


Chattanooga^  Term. 


351 


for  at  tlie  moment  they  were  passing  the  reinforcements,  an  offi- 
cer sprang  forward,  seized  tiie  standard  of  one  of  the  regiments, 
and  thrust  its  staff  firmly  in  the  ground.  Ilis  sword  waved 
over  his  head  and  pointed  up  the  acclivity.  His  voice,  amid  the 
rolling  thnuder  of  cannon  and  din  of  musketry,  was  unheard  be- 
yond the  ranks,  but  it  penetrated  the  hearts  of  those  men,  like 
magic.  The  routed  column  turned  instantly,  and  in  a single  second 
was  marching  up  the  hill,  as  firmly  as  the  newly  arrived  troops 
with  which  they  now  seemed  coalesced.  Not  a man  went  farther 
than  where  the  reinforcements  were  met ; and  there  all  turned  and 
re-charged,  as  if  it  were  a movement  they  had  been  practicing  for 
years. 

And  then  the  whole  line  swept  forward  again.  Both  brigades 
had  broken  once,  yet  now,  after  half  an  hour’s  fight,  they  returned 
anew  to  the  battle  by  the  side  of  a third  leader.  It  was  a quarter 
after  two  o’clock  when  the  column  made  its  last  grand  charge ; the 
line  was  perfect  now,  though  the  stream  of  wounded  that  struggled 
to  the  rear  made  it  look  ragged.  The  distance  between  them  and 
the  rebel  works  was  hut  fifty  yards,  hut  it  was  no  child’s  play  to 
charge  over  that  fifty  yards.  Double-shotted  with  canister,  the 
rebel  guns  thundered  upon  them.  It  could  be  seen  that  their 
ranks  were  fearfully  thinned ; but  still  they  pressed  on  sternly, 
boldly,  grandly.  Pulling  their  caps  over  their  eyes,  as  if  seeking 
to  hide  the  flame  that  devoured  them,  they  rushed  madly  forward. 
A few  more  yards,  a few  more  lives,  and  the  rebel  battery  would 
be  theirs. 

But  what  human  beings  could  ho  borne  through  those  surging  vol- 
umes of  fire,  through  that  wild  chaos  of  lead  and  iron  missiles  that 
made  the  very  air  shriek  with  its  cutting  wrath.  The  smell  of 
flame  was  on  their  garments,  the  prize  was  almost  within  their 
grasp ; the  enemy  was  forced  to  call  for  help,  to  draw  from  liis 
center.  The  battle  still  raged  with  all  its  direful  fury.  The  as- 
saulting column  seemed  about  to  scale  the  parapet  and  dash  into 
the  fort;  when  the  rebel  reinforcements  swept  around  the  hill 
from  their  left,  and  poured  in  a hellish  flank  and  cross-fire  that 
no  mortal  could  withstand.  The  Union  line  crumbled  almost 
instantaneously.  A few  hundred  faced  about,  and  fought  a running 
fight  to  the  rear;  hut  the  main  body  turned  and  retreated;  yet 
there  was  no  panic,  no  despair.  They  saw  they  had  failed  and 
were  overcome.  They  were  swept  from  the  field,  but  not  tumult- 
uously ; the  powerful  aided  the  weak,  and  the  strong  bore  off  the 


S52 


Chattanooga.,  Tenn. 


wounded.  The  rebels  charged  around  the  hillside ; but  coming 
suddenly  upon  Lightburu’s  brigade,  were  sent  back  confusedly  to 
their  works. 

General  Sherman,  standing  immovable  as  a bronze  statue,  had 
watched  the  whole  scene.  As  the  rebels  were  driven  back,  he 
turned  to  one  of  his  aids  and  said,  “Tell  Lightburn  to  intrench 
and  go  into  position  he  then  sat  down  to  write  a dispatch,  and 
the  battle  of  Tunnel  Eill  was  over. 

ITis  troops  had  been  repulsed,  bloodily  repulsed ; yet  they  had 
achieved  their  main  purpose — the  enemy  had  heen  forced  to  commit 
a fatal  error,  to  draio  from  his  center. 

But  before  this  terrible  scene  had  closed,  tlie  brief  hTovember 
afternoon  was  half  gone;  yet  along  the  Union  center  all  was  still. 
At  that  very  hour,  an  assault  was  made  upon  the  enemy’s  left  near 
Rossville,  four  miles  down  toward  the  old  field  of  Cliickamauga. 
Hooker’s  men  had  carried  the  southern  portion  of  the  hostile  ridge ; 
they  had  strewn  its  summit  with  rebel  dead ; they  held  it,  and 
thus  the  tips  of  the  Federal  army’s  wide-spread  wings,  like  those 
of  its  emblematic  eagle,  waved  grandly  as  it  circled  round  its  prey. 
But  the  guardian  of  liberty  had  not  yet  swooped;  the  gray  quarry 
yet  perched  on  Mission  Ridge,  the  rebel  army  was  terribly  battered 
at  the  edges,  but  there,  full  in  the  Union  front,  it  grimly  waited,  bid- 
ing its  time.  If  the  horns  of  the  rebel  crescent  could  not  be 
doubled  crushingly  together  in  a shapeless  mass,  possibly  it  might 
be  sundered  at  its  center  and  tumbled  in  fragments  on  the  other 
side  of  the  mountain. 

MISSION  KinOE. 

Sherman  was  now  halting  upon  the  left ; Hooker  was  holding 
hard  in  Chattanooga  Valley ; the  fourth  corps  that  rounded  out  the 
Union  center,  under  the  eye  of  Grant,  grew  impatient.  The  day 
was  waning  ; but  little  time  remained  to  complete  the  commanding 
general’s  grand  design.  Gordon  Granger's  hour  had  come;  his 
work  was  full  before  him.  And  what  a work  was  that  to  make  a 
weak  man  falter,  and  a bravo  man  think.  One  and  a half  miles  to 
traverse,  with  narrow  fringes  of  woods,  rough  valleys,  sweeps  of 
open  field,  rocky  acclivities,  to  the  base  of  the  ridge,  and  no  foot 
in  all  the  breadth  withdrawn  from  rebel  sight;  no  foot  that  could 
not  be  played  upon  by  rebel  cannon,  like  a piano’s  keys  under 
Thalberg’s  stormy  fingers.  The  base  attained,  what  then?  A 
heavy  rebel  work,  packed  with  the  enemy  rimming  it  like  a battle- 
ment. That  work  carried,  and  what  then  ? A hill  struggling  up 


( 


CiUl^DON  (JMNGEll,  1 

I 

jVfajov-Gen.  of  Vols.,  born  in  iS\iw  York,  about  1825;  ciraduatcJ  at  West  ( 

Point  in  1845,  nearly  at  tlie  foot  (if  liis  class.  Brevet  2d-Lieut.  Inf.,  July  1,  } 

1815;  Brevet  2d-T,ieut.  (Rivalry,  July  17,  184G;  2d-Lieut.,  Yay  2!),  1847;  j 

brevetted  Ist-Liout.  and  Capt.,  for  gallantry  at  Contreras,  Chnrubusco  and  ( 

Cliapultepcc ; Ist-Licut.,  ]\lay  24,1852;  stationed  in  Te.xas;  distinguished  } 

himself  in  pursuit  of  and  attack  upon  Indians  on  Xueces  iliver,  April  13,  ( 

185G  ; in  New  Me.xico,  in  18G1 ; Capt.,  May  5, 18G1 ; Ass't  Adjt.-Gen.  to 
Gen.  1-yon,  in  Mo. ; Col.  2d  Mich.  Yol.  Cavalry,  Nov.,  18G1 ; Chief  of  Cav-  ;■ 

airy  to  Gen.  Pope;  New  Madrid  and  Island  No.  10  ; Brig.-Gen.  Yols.,  date  ;! 

from  March  12, 18G2  ; commander  Division  of  Cavalry,  siege  of  Corinth  ; ■; 

ilajor-Gen.  Yols.,  Sept.  17, 18G2 ; commanded  the  Army  ot  Dist.  of  Ky.,  } 

Nov.,  18G2  ; Feb.,  18G3,  joined  Army  of  the  Cumberland ; repulsed  Van 
Porn  ; June,  18G3,  commander  of  District  of  the  Cumberland,  and  of  the  Be-  ( 

serve  Corps  ; rendered  valuable  aid  to  'I'homas,  at  close  of  battle  of  Chicka-  ) 

mauga;  commanded  the  now  4th  Corps,  Sept.  28,  18G3 ; made  charge  on  v 

Mission  Bidge,  Nov.  25, 18G3,  but  objected  to  march  to  Kno.willc  to  relieve  ( 

Burnside,  though  he  finally  Avent;  was  relieved  of  his  command  by  Gen.  ) 

Grant,  but  subsequently  put  in  command  of  13th  Corps;  participated  in  at- 
tack  on  Forts  Morgan,  Gaines,  &c.,  in  Aug.,  18G4  ; was  at  Huntsville,  and  ( 

afterward  at  Stevenson,  Avith  his  command,  in  Nov.  and  Dec.,  18G4;  moved  \ 

toAvard  Mobile,  IMarch,  18G5,  and  assisted  in  reduction  of  that  city  in  April,  | 


355 


Chattanooga,  Tenn. 


out  of  the  valley  four  hundred  feet,  rained  on  by  bullets,  swept  by 
shot  and  shell ; another  line  of  works,  and  then  up,  like  a gothic 
roof,  rough  with  rocks,  a wreck  with  fallen  trees,  four  hundred 
more ; another  ring  of  fire  and  iron,  and  then  the  crest,  and  then 
the  enemy. 

To  dream  of  such  a journey  would  bo  madness ; to  devise  it,  a 
thing  incredible;  to  do  it,  a thing  impossible.  But  Grant  was 
guilty  of  them  all,  and  Granger  was  equal  to  the  work.  The  story 
of  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  is  struck  with  immortality  already ; 
let  the  leader  of  the  fourth  corps  hear  it  company. 

At  half-past  three  o'clock,  a group  of  generals,  whose  names 
will  need  no  “Old  Mortality”  to  chisel  them  anew,  stood  upon 
Orchard  Knob.  The  hero  of  Vicksburg  was  there,  calm,  clear, 
jiersistent,  far-seeing;  Thomas — the  steadfast  and  sterling;  ^feigs. 
Hunter,  Granger,  Reynolds.  Generals  Grant,  Thomas,  and  Gran- 
ger conferred ; an  order  was  given,  and  in  an  instant  the  Knob 
was  cleared  like  a ship’s  deck  for  action. 

The  signal  guns  for  the  advance  -were  fired,  and  as  the  last  roar 
burst  forth,  the  strong  Union  line  that  had  been  lying  behind  the 
works  in  dead  inactivity,  came  to  resurrection  in  the  twinkling  of 
an  eye,  leapt  like  a blade  from  its  scabbard,  and  swept  toward  the 
ridge;  a few  momenta  and  the  musketry  fire  is  in  full  play,  and 
stricken  forms  fall  hero  and  there  like  autumn  leaves  shaken  by 
the  blast.  The  divisions  of  Wood  and  Sheridan  are  wading  breast- 
deep  in  the  valley  of  death. 

Onward  they  moved  through  the  fringe  of  woods,  and  out  into 
the  open  ground  at  double-quick  ; but  the  tempest  that  now  broke 
upon  their  heads  was  terrible,  the  enemy’s  fire  leaped  from  count- 
less rifle-pits,  rising  from  base  to  summit  of  Mission  Ridge.  Five 
rebel  batteries  opened  along  the  crest;  grape  and  canister,  shot 
and  shell,  sowed  the  ground  with  rugged  iron,  and  garnished  it  with 
the  wounded  and  the  dead. 

But  steady  and  strong  the  heroic  columns  moved  on  ; and  over 
their  heads,  as  they  went,  the  Union  forts.  Wood  and  Negley,  and 
Palmer  and  King,  and  the  batteries  at  Moccasin  Point,  and  nearer 
by  on  Orchard  Knob,  sent  forth  their  lightning  messengers  which 
rained  iron  blows  upon  the  mountain  from  base  to  crest.  The  ar- 
tillery was  doing  splendid  service;  it  laid  shot  and  shell  wherever 
the  skillful  gunners  pleased.  Had  giants  carried  the  missiles  by 
hand  they  could  scarcely  have  dropped  them  more  accurately. 
Beneath  this  stormy  cope,  the  Federal  lines  seemed  to  move  as 


356  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

fearlessly  as  if  no  terrors  shrouded  them.  They  burned  through 
the  woods,  and  swept  over  the  rough  and  rolling  ground  like  a 
prairie  fire.  Never  halting,  never  faltering,  they  charged  up  to 
the  first  rifle-pits,  with  a cheer,  drove  out  the  rebels  with  their 
bayonets,  and  lay  there  panting  for  breath. 

If  the  thunder  of  guns  had  been  terrible  before,  it  was  now 
growing  sublime ; it  was  like  tlie  foot-fall  of  the  Almighty  on  the 
bosom  of  the  clouds.  The  national  forts  and  batteries  still  thrust 
out  their  mighty  arms  across  the  valley  ; while  the  rebel  guns  that 
lined  the  arc  of  the  crest  in  front,  opened  as  from  the  curve  of  a 
wide-spread  fan  and  converged  their  fire  upon  Baird  and  Wood 
and  Sheridan.  Mission  Ridge  was  volcanic ; a thousand  torrents 
of  flame  poured  over  its  brink  and  rushed  together  at  its  base.  Yet 
the  glorious  soldiery  were  there,  halting  for  breath. 

Sound  the  recall ! Save  those  devoted  martyrs  from  destruction ! 
But  no!  shall  such  undaunted  warriors  turn  their  backs  to  the 
blast?  Shall  they  sit  down  under  the  eaves  of  that  dripping  iron  ? 
Or  shall  they  climb  to  the  cloud  of  death  above,  and  pluck  out 
its  lightnings,  as  they  would  straws  from  a sheaf  of  wheat?  And 
now  tlio  arc  of  fire  on  the  crest  grows  fiercer  and  longer ; the  dull 
fringe  of  the  hill  kindles  with  the  flash  of  great  guns.  The  fleeces 
of  white  smoke  that  dot  the  ridge,  tell  of  thirteen  powerful  bat- 
teries that  seem  to  sweep  the  very  ground  before  them. 

At  this  moment  General  Granger’s  aids  dash  out  with  an  order ; 
they  radi.'ite  over  the  field  to  the  right,  left,  and  front.  “Take 
tlio  ridge  if  you  can!’^  “Take  the  ridge  if  you  can  1”  is  shouted 
along  the  Union  line.  But  the  advance  had  already  set  forth  with- 
Qjit  it ; they  were  out  of  the  rifle-pits,  into  the  tempest,  and  strug- 
gling up  the  steep.  But  they  did  not  storm  the  mountain  as  one 
would  think — with  maddened  fury  and  a headlong  rush.  They 
dash  out  a little  way,  and  then  slacken  ; they  creep  up,  hand-over- 
hand,  loading  and  firing,  wavering  and  halting.  From  the  first  lino 
of  works,  they  reach  the  second ; they  burst  into  a charge,  with  a 
cheer,  and  go  over  it.  Sheets  of  flame  baptize  them,  plunging  shots 
tear  away  comrades  on  left  and  right ; it  is  no  longer  shoulder  to 
shoulder ; it  is  each  for  himself,  and  Omnipotence  for  all.  The  hill 
sways  up  like  a wall  before  them  at  an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees ; 
but  the  brave  mountaineers  are  clambering  steadily  on — up — up- 
ward still  I 

And  what  do  those  men  follow  ? That  thirteen  thousand  are 
not  a mere  rushing  herd  of  human  creatures.  Along  the  gothic 


Chattanoorja^  Tenn.  357 

roof  of  tlie  ridge,  a row  of  inverted  V’s  is  slowly  moving  up 
almost  in  line,  a mighty  lettering  on  the  hill’s  broad  side.  At  the 
foremost  angles  of  those  V’s  is  something  that  glitters  like  awing; 
it  is  the  regimental  flag  ; fifteen  of  those  colors  are  there — colors 
that  were  borne  at  Pea  Eidge,  waved  at  Shiloh,  glorified  at  Stone 
River,  riddled  at  Chickamauga.  Nobler  than  Cmsar’s  rent  mantle 
are  they  all  I Three  times  the  flag  of  one  regiment  goes  down. 
The  reader  knows  why.  Three  dead  color-sergeants  lie  there ; but 
the  flag  is  immortal ; and  up  it  comes  again  and  the  V’s  move  on. 
Three  regiments  hurl  themselves  against  a point  strong  with  rebel 
works ; for  a long  quarter  of  an  hour  their  flags  are  perched  and 
motionless  on  a plateau  under  the  frown  of  the  hill.  But  again 
they  move  on,  they  are  upward  bound. 

The  race  of  the  flags  is  growing  every  moment  more  terrible. 
The  surging  columns  heave  upward  like  the  mighty  billows  on  a 
rock-bound  coast.  And  all  the  while  the  steady  roar  of  the  artil- 
lery continues — the  iron  sledges  beat  on.  Hearts  loyal  and  bravo 
are  on  the  anvij,  all  the  way  from  base  to  summit  of  Mission  Ridge ; 
but  those  dreadful  hammers  never  intermit.  Swarms  of  bullets 
sweep  the  hill ; twenty-eight  balls  may  be  counted  in  one  little 
tree.  Desperation  seizes  the  enemy  ; they  tumble  rocks  upon  the 
rising  line ; they  roll  shells  with  lighted  fuses  down  the  steep  ; they 
load  the  guns  in  their  haste  with  handfuls  of  cartridges.  But  all 
would  not  do:  and  just  as  the  sun,  weary  of  the  scene,  was  sink- 
ing out  of  sight,  with  magiiiflcent  bursts  all  along  the  line,  the 
advance  surged  over  the  crest ; and  in  a minut(?thoso  flags  fluttered 
along  the  ragged  edge  where  fifty  rebel  guns  were  kenneled. 

The  rebel  hordes  roll  off  to  the  north,  roll  off  to  the  east,  like 
the  clouds  of  a worn-out  storm.  But  the  scene  on  the  narrow 
plateau  can  never  be  painted.  As  the  Union  hosts  surged  over  its 
edge,  cheer  on  cheer  rang  like  bells  through  the  valley  of  the 
Chickamauga.  Men  flung  themselves  exhausted  upon  the  ground, 
they  laughed  and  wept,  shook  hands  and  embraced.  It  was  as  wild 
as  a carnival.  Granger  was  received  with  a shout.  “ Soldiers,” 
ho  said,  “ you  ought  to  be  court-martialed,  every  one  of  you ; I 
ordered  you  to  take  tbe  rifle-pifis,  and  you  scaled  the  mountain !” 
but  it  was  not  with  Mars’  horrid  front,  that  he  uttered  these  words ; 
for  his  cheeks  were  wet  with  tears,  honest  as  the  blood  that  red- 
dened all  the  route. 

■With  the  receding  flight  and  swift  pursuit,  the  battle  died  away 
in  murmurs ; the  ardor  of  the  men  had  been  quenchless ; there 

17 


358 


Ringgold^  Ga. 


had  been  three  days  of  fitful  fever,  and  after  it,  alas ! a multitude 
had  slept  well.  Tlie  work  on  the  right,  left,  and  center  cost  full 
four  thousand  killed  and  wounded.  There  is  a tremble  of  the  lip, 
but  a flash  of  pride  in  the  eye,  as  the  soldier  tells  with  how  many 
wo  went  in — how  expressive  that  “ went  in!” — with  how  few  wo 
came  out.  It  is  useless  to  try  to  swing  the  burden  clear  of  any 
heart  by  throwing  into  the  scale,  on  the  other  side,  the  dead  weight 
of  fifty-two  pieces  of  captured  artillery,  ten  thousand  stands  of 
arms,  and  heaps  of  rebel  dead,  or  by  foi’cing  upon  the  attention  a 
herd  of  seven  thousand  prisoners.  Nothing  of  all  this  can  lighten 
that  burden  a single  ounce ; but  this  thought  may  : those  three 
days'  work  brought  Tennessee  to  resurrection  ; set  the  flag— -that 
fairest  blossom  in  all  this  flowery  world — to  blooming  in  its  native 
soil  once  more. 

That  splendid  march  from  the  Federal  lino  of  battle  to  the  crest 
was  made  in  one  hour  and  five  minutes,  but  it  was  a grander  marcli 
toward  the  end  of  rebeldom ; a glorious  campaign  of  sixty-five 
minutes  toward  the  white  borders  of  peace.  Reader  and  writer 
must  walk  together  down  the  heights  another  day  ; press  that  rug- 
ged earth,  with  the  first  backward  step  a loyal  foot  has  made  upon 
it;  and  as  they  linger,  recall  a few  of  the  incidents  that  will  render 
it  liistoric  and  holy  ground,  for  coming  time.  Let  the  struggle  be 
known  as  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge;  and  when  in  calmer  days 
men  make  pilgrimage,  and  women  smile  again  among  the  mount- 
ains of  the  Cumberland,  they  will  need  no  guide.  Rust  will  have 
eaten  the  guns,  tho  graves  of  the  heroes  will  have  subsided  like 
waves  weary  of  their  troubling;  tho  soldier  and  his  leader  will 
have  lain  down  together ; but  there,  embossed  upon  the  globe, 
Mission  Ridge  will  stand  its  fitting  monument  forever. 


RINGGOLD,  GA. 

Novkmukh  *27,  1863. 

V’TiionistSy  under  General  Hooker^  numbers  not  reported.  Losses^  nearly  800. 
Diaunionists.  under  General  Hardee^  numbers  unknown.  Killed  and  wounded^ 
not  reported;  prisoners  about  800« 

Aftek  the  battle  of  Chattanooga,  in  which  the  shattered  and 
panic-stricken  forces  of  Bragg  were  driven  from  Missionary  Ridge, 
a strong  Union  force  was  ordered  in  pursuit.  Advancing  in  three 
columns,  under  command  of  Generals  Sherman,  Palmer,  and 


Locust  Grove  and  Mine  Fa. 


360 


Ilooker,  they  pressed  hard  npoa  the  enemy,  and  compelled  the 
detachments  in  his  rear  to  repeated  skirmishes. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2'7th,  General  Hooker’s  column  reached 
Ringgold,  and  came  upon  a rebel  force  strongly  posted  in  the  town. 
After  an  hour’s  hard  fighting,  he  succeeded  in  dislodging  them 
and  capturing  six  pieces  of  their  artillery;  when  they  took  up  an- 
other position,  still  stronger,  on  the  side  of  one  of  the  ridges  which 
borders  Ringgold  Gap,  in  the  rear  of  the  town.  The  new  position 
much  resembled  that  at  Missionary  Ridge,  the  slope  being  steep, 
wooded,  and  difficult  of  ascent.  With  two  cannon,  the  only  artil- 
lery left  to  them,  the  rebels  opened  fire  upon  the  village.  Ilooker 
determined  to  drive  them  from  the  ridge  by  assault.  Two  divisions 
were  selected  for  the  purpose ; a brigade  of  each  was  ordered  to 
ascend  upon  the  flanks,  and  gain  a position  higher  up  in  the  rear 
of  the  enemy. 

The  rebels  were  in  superior  force ; and  the  advancing  columns 
w’ere  pushed  forward  wdth  great  fierceness  and  twice  repulsed. 
The  fighting  on  both  sides  was  of  the  most  desperate  character. 
The  Union  forces,  rallying  for  the  third  time  and  climbing  the  steep 
under  a most  galling  fire,  reached  the  crest  and  planted  their  colors 
upon  the  very  summit.  In  this  last  most  desperate  charge,  the 
gallant  Colonel  Creighton,  commanding  the  Union  brigade  on  the 
right,  fell  mortally  wounded.  The  Seventh  Ohio  Regiment  lost 
nearly  all  its  officers,  and  came  out  of  the  fight  under  the  command 
of  a lieutenant. 

The  enemy  fled,  their  object  having  been  to  hold  in  check  the 
Unionists  until  they  were  ready  to  burn  two  railroad  bridges  near 
by  in  their  rear.  But  they  were  closely  pursued,  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  bridges  was  prevented. 

The  driving  of  the  enemy  from  this  strong  position  cost  the 
Unionists  dearly,  their  losses  having  been  estimated  at  from  600 
to  800. 



LOCUST  GEOYE  AND  MINE  KUN,  VA, 

November  27  to  80,  18C3. 

UnionisUy  under  General  Meade^  numbers  not  reported.  Loss,  1,000 
DisunionistSf  under  General  Zee,  about  60,000.  Loas^  2,600. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was 
encamped  a few  miles  northeast  of  Culpepper  Court  House,  in  a 
line  across  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  at  Brandy  Station. 


360 


Locust  Grove  and  Mine  JRun^  Va. 


The  rebel  army,  at  the  same  time,  occupied  a position  south  of  the 
Kupiihin,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mine  Run.  It  was  divided  into  two 
corps : one  under  General  Ewell,  extending  from  a point  on  the 
Rapidan,  southward  toward  Orange  Court  House;  the  other  under 
General  Hill,  lying  for  the  most  part  beyond  Orange  Court  House, 
and  separated  from  Ewell's  corps  hy  several  miles.  The, break  thus 
formed  in  the  enemy’s  lines  seemed  to  afford  a favorable  opening 
for  attack.  Accordingly  General  ileade  determined  to  throw  a 
strong  force  if  jjossible  between  the  two  corps  and  beat  them  in 
detail. 

The  execution  of  this  plan  was  essentially  of  the  nature  of  a 
coup  de  main,  based  on  a precise  mathematical  calculation  of  the 
elements  of  time  and  space,  of  the  kind  for  which  Napoleon  was 
so  famous ; and  depended  absolutely  for  its  success  on  a rigorous 
execution  of  all  the  preconcerted  movements  in  the  fore-ordained 
time  and  way. 

General  Meade  cut  himself  entirely  loose  from  his  base  of  sup- 
plies, providing  ten  days’  rations,  and  relying  on  his  anticipated 
success  to  open  new  lines  of  communication  for  a farther  advance. 
At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  National  Thanksgiving — Novem- 
ber 26— the  army  took  up  its  line  of  march.  The  last  stars  were 
fading  from  sight — the  rising  light  of  day  chasing  them  away — as 
the  bugles  sounded  the  advance.  In  a twinkling  the  great  city  of 
canvas  disappeared  ; and  its  inhabitants  wheeled  into  line,  prepared 
to  do  battle  right  valiantly. 

The  roads  before  them,  however,  except  that  by  way  of  Germa- 
nia Ford — which  Vvas  partly  planked— were  a sea  of  mud ; and 
therefore  nearly  impassable.  Added  to  this,  much  of  the  way  lay 
through  the  region  west  of  Chancellorsville,  known  as  the  Wilder- 
ness, a dense  and  tangled  wood  filled  with  underbrush,  dead  logs, 
thickets  of  scrub  oak,  etc.,  and  traversed  only  by  the  rudest  tracks 
which,  intersecting  at  all  angles,  formed  a perfect  maze. 

Regardless  of  the  hindrances  and  intricacy  of  the  route,  however, 
the  troops  pressed  forward  in  good  spirits ; but  a portion  of  them, 
misled,  at  lengtlf,  by  imperfect  maps,  marched  and  countermarched 
for  many  miles  with  scarcely  any  progress  toward  their  destination. 
The  morning  of  the  27th,  therefore,  found  the  army  only  across 
the  Rapidan.  Twenty-four  hours  had  passed,  and  but  half  the 
distance  assigned  for  thirty  hours  had  been  accomplished. 

The  troops  weie  now  pushed  forward  with  greater  rapidity. 
Early  in  the  afternoon  the  second  corps  under  General  Warren 


3G1 


I 


JLocnst  Grove  and  3Iine  Hun,  Fa. 


came  np  with  the  enemy,  near  Kobertson’s  Tavern,  and  began 
developing  his  strength ; but  was  ordered  not  to  make  a serious 
attack  until  the  third  corps,  commanded  by  General  French,  arrived. 

The  latter,  however,  still  embarrassed  by  the  labyrinthine  per- 
plexities of  the  route,  had  the  misfortune  a second  time  to  take 
the  wrong  road.  Its  advance,  therefore,  while  still  at  considerable 
distance  from  Warren,  was  brought  unexpectedly  face  to  face  with 
a division  of  the  foe.  Skirmishing  immediately  began  ; and  Gen- 
eral French  soon  learned  that  Ewell's  entire  corps  and  a division 
of  Hill’s  were  moving  down  upon  his  front.  He  at  once  ordered 
the  main  body  of  his  troops  to  deploy  in  lino  of  battle  to  the  left, 
so  as  eventually  to  connect  with  Warren  ; while  he  made  suitable 
arrangements  to  sustain  the  force  already  engaged. 

The  enemy  now  showed  a much  larger  force  in  front,  and  the 
skirmish  had  begun  to  assume  the  character  of  a battle.  The  con- 
flict occurred  in  a thicket,  whence  it  has  derived  the  name  of  the 
Battle  of  Locust  Grove. 

As  the  advance  division  halted  and  deployed  in  line  for  action, 
and  a second  division  began  to  form  on  its  left,  the  enemy  at- 
tempted to  frustrate  the  movement.  But  the  Union  troops  behaved 
splendidly,  and  moved  into  positions  in  the  dense  woods  and  under 
a galling  fire  of  musketry  with  the  utmost  steadiness.  Regiment 
after  regiment  was  brought  up,  and  at  length  the  engagement  be- 
came general.  After  feeling  hastily  .along  the  whole  Union  line,  as 
if  to  ascertain  its  strength,  the  enemy  massed  his  -forces  and  bore 
down  heavily  upon  the  front.  The  firing,  at  first,  was  exclusively 
with  musketry,  but  grew  intensely  severe.  It  was  -a  continuous, 
deafening  roar,  rising  louder  and  fiercer  as  additional  troops  took 
part  in  the  contest,  and  running  along  from  right  to  left,  until  the 
whole  line  blazed  with  the  rapid  discharges. 

At  length  the  charging  foe  fell  back,  and  a glad  shout  of  triumph 
arose.  Yet  the  triumph  was  of  short  duration.  It  was  no  victory, 
but  merely  a surging  of  the  deadly  fray.  The  rebels  rallied,  and 
in  heavy  masses  again  advanced  to  the  charge.  The  rattle  of  mus- 
ketry a second  time  deepened  into  a roar,  and  the  contest  was 
renewed  with  increased  earnestness. 

At  this  juncture  a Union  battery  took  up  its  position  on  a crest 
in  the  woods,  and  opened  a furious  fire  of  shell  on  the  rebel  line. 
The  enemy  planted  a battery  at  a lower  elevation  and  returned  the 
fire ; but  their  missiles  being  directed  by  guess,  over  the  woods, 
flew  beyond  the  mark  and  fell  far  in  the  rear.  The  Federal  cannon 


362  Locust  Grove  and  Mine  Rim^  Va, 

in  tlie  mean  time  worked  terrible  destruction.  'But  the  hostile  lines 
stood  nobly  up  to  their  work,  and  with  a valor  that  commanded 
admiration  delivered  murderous  volleys. 

The  action  was  now  fiercely  hot.  Regiment  after  regiment  ex- 
hausted its  cartridge-boxes  and  made  way  for  fresh  troops  standing 
ready  to  take  their  places.  The  cdiances  of  battle  seemed  even. 
Charges  and  counter-charges  were  made;  positions  were  gained 
and  lost;  and  the  exulting  harbingers  of  victory  flew  to  and  fro 
between  the  contending  hosts,  as  if  rejoicing  in  the  combat  and 
doubtful  u[)on  whose  banners  to  perch. 

At  length  a heavy  column  of  the  enemy  bearing  down  upon  the 
Union  front,  rolled  from  right  to  left,  determined  to  find  a weak 
spot  where  it  might  break  through  the  line.  Gradually  it  ap- 
proached the  extremity,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  line  must  bo 
extended  or  it  would  bo  outflanked.  At  this  critical  moment  rein- 
forcements were  hurried  up  from  the  sixth  corps  (commanded  by 
the  veteran  General  Sedgwick),  which  had  been  massed  in  the 
rear.  Taking  position  as  speedily  as  possible,  they  met  the  eager 
foe  and  compelled  his  retirement. 

Thus  the  enemy  was  completely  foiled ; and  as  the  shades  of 
night  were  falling,  he  withdrew  hastily,  leaving  his  dead  and 
wounded  upon  the  field.  Fourteen  thousand  Unionists  had  repulsed 
thirty  thousand  rebels.  The  losses  of  the  latter  were  terrible — 
j)robably  two  or  three  times  as  great  as  those  of  their  antagonists. 
This  disparity  resulted  from  the  Unionists  acting  wholly  uj)on  tho 
defensive,  sheltering  themselves  in  the  thick  woods,  and  being  littlo 
harmed  except  by  musketry  ; while  tho  enemy  was  frequently  ex- 
posed in  cleared  spots,  and  suffered  severely  from  the  fire  of  tho 
Federal  battery. 

This  encounter,  however,  must  bo  regarded  on  the  whole  as  a 
misfortune  to  the  Union  cause ; since  it  disclosed  the  plan  of  Gene- 
ral Meade,  and  caused  Ewell  to  plant  his  corps  across  the  route  by 
which  Warren  intended  to  advance  and  possess  tho  important  in- 
terval or  break  before  mentioned  in  tho  rebel  lines.  Warren’s 
troops  skirmished  with  the  force  opposed  to  them  all  day,  but  in 
accordance  with  orders,  he  made  no  earnest  advance. 

By  nine  o’clock  on  tho  following  morning,  the  28th  inst.,  French’s 
and  Sedgwick’s  corps  had  connected  with  Warren’s ; and  the  whole 
army  now  advanced  in  pursuit  of  tho  enemy.  The  latter  had  aban- 
doned his  position  at  Robertson’s  Tavern  before  daylight,  and  was 
slowly  retiring  to  the  west. 


3G3 


Locust  Grove  and  Mhie  Run^  Va. 


On  coming  up  -with  his  line,  it  was  found  to  be  light,  and  was 
gradually  pushed  back  by  the  Union  skirmishers  across  Mine  Run, 
on  the  high  ground  west  of  which  a strong  force  of  the  enemy  was 
already  drawn  up.  The  position  assumed  by  the  latter  was  that 
which  General  Meade,  at  the  outset  of  the  campaign,  intended  to 
occupy  between  the  two  rebel  corps.  It  was  one  of  rare  strength, 
even  among  the  splendid  defensive  positions  of  Virginia.  The 
enemy’s  line  was  formed  on  a series  of  ridges,  with  enfilading  posi- 
tions for  batteries,  while  in  front  stretched  the  marsh  that  bordered 
the  sluggish  stream.  A somewhat  formidable  line  of  breast-works 
crowned  the  heights. 

General  Meade  proceeded  to  draw  up  his  forces  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  run;  but  such  was  the  condition  of  the  roads  that  it 
was  late  at  night  before  they  were  in  position. 

On  the  following  morning — tho  29th  inst.- — General  Warren  was 
dispatched  with  his  own  corps  and  a division  of  the  fifth,  forming 
a column  20,000  strong,  in  light  marching  order,  to  turn  the 
enemy’s  right  flank.  lie  expected  to  be  in  position  to  attack  by 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  at  which  time  the  corps  in  front  were 
ordered  to  be  ready  for  a simultaneous  assault.  Everything  was 
made  contingent  on  Warren’s  movements.  Marching  his  troops  to 
the  rear  and  making  a wide  detour,  ho  crossed  the  run  several 
miles  to  the  southward,  but  the  hindrances  of  the  route  and  the  de- 
lays caused  by  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  were  such  that  it  was  nearly 
night  before  he  reached  his  destination.  It  was  therefore  too  late 
for  a general  battle,  and  another  day  had  unfortunately  elapsed 
without  the  accomplishment  of  any  decisive  result.  Opportunity 
also  was  given  to  the  enemy  during  the  night  to  strengthen  his 
position  on  the  right  and  to  mass  a powerful  force  for  its  defense. 

But  notwithstanding  these  disappointments.  General  Meade  de- 
termined to  persevere  in  his  design.  Warren’s  force  was  accord- 
ingly strengthened  by  two  additional  divisions,  and  a general  attack 
on  the  front,  as  well  as  right  flank,  of  the  enemy  was  ordered  to 
begin  at  eight  o’clock  the  next  morning. 

At  the  precise  time  indicated  on  the  following  day,  the  30th  inst., 
the  conflict  was  opened  by  Sedgwick’s  troops  on  the  Union  right. 
The  booming  of  cannon  in  that  direction  was  answered  at  other 
points  along  the  lino  until  every  gun,  down  to  the  left  of  tho  Fed- 
eral position  in  front  of  enemy,  was  sending  forth  its  deadly  peals. 
When  the  grand  attack  commenced,  the  rebels  were  plainly  visible 
on  the  opposite  heights,  working  with  indefatigable  zeal,  perfecting. 


364 


locust  Grove  aticl  Mine  Run^  Va. 


extending,  and  strengtliening  their  works.  But  the  missiles  dis- 
charged from  two  liundred  cannon,  shrieking  over  their  heads, 
bursting  in  their  midst,  plowing  up  the  ground  about  them,  tear- 
ing down  their  breast-works,  killing  or  wounding  their  comrades, 
and  stampeding  their  horses,  worked  a general  demoralization  in 
their  ranks.  Many  of  them  could  be  seen  flying  to  the  woods  in 
tlie  rear  of  their  position  ; wliile  those  that  remained  crouched 
close  to  the  ground,  behind  their  defenses,  and  remainad  bidden 
from  view  as  the  tornado  of  death  passed  over. 

At  length  a body  of  Union  skirmishers  having  dashed  along  the 
turnpike  which  crossed  the  run,  suddenly  emerged  from  the  thicket 
on  the  farther  side  of  the  bottom-land  and  steadily  moved  up  the 
opposite  slope.  Driving  the  rebels  before  them,  with  undaunted 
courage,  they  soon  gained  jjossession  of  the  enemy’s  first  line  of 
rifle-pits.  Thus  far  all  wont  well.  But  as  the  advance  had  been 
made  only  on  the  center  of  the  rebel  front,  and  as  the  enemy  were 
still  securely  lodged  on  either-  flank,  the  jjositions  gained  were  of 
course  untenable. 

No  attacks  were  made  on  the  extremities  of  the  rebel  lines  ex- 
cept by  artillery.  The  right  and  center  of  the  Union  line  had  been 
engaged  for  upward  of  an  hour  v/ith  the  most  promising  results, 
when  it  was  announced  from  headquarters  that  the  grand  attack 
on  the  left  or  against  the  enemy’s  right  would  not  be  attempted. 
General  Warren  had  made  a personal  inspection  of  the  works  he 
was  ordered  to  carry,  and  deemed  them  impregnable.  The  first  line 
was  of  a truly  formidablo  characdor^ — ^very  deep,  (loiiHtnicted  of 
logs  and  earth,  and  sheltered  behind  a thick  and  almost  impenetra- 
ble abattis.  The  second  line,  two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear,  ap- 
peared to  be  of  a similar  description.  An  immediate  assault  on 
such  works  would  bo  sheer  madness;  and  although  the  aspiring 
leader  of  the  second  corps  contemplated  them  for  an  hour  and  a 
half  with  an  earnest  disposition  to  attack,  he  was  at  length  induced 
to  obey  the  dictates  of  prudence,  and  abandon  the  desperate 
undertaking. 

The  engagement  at  Mine  Run,  therefore,  proved  fruitless.  As 
the  rations  of  the  Union  army  would' soon  be  exhausted,  and  it 
would  be  dilfjcult  in  their  present  position  to  open  and  maintain 
communications  with  their  base,  they  were  ordered  to  withdraw 
again  across  the  Rapidan.  The  movement  was  subsequently 
accomplisfied  with  little  embarrassment. 

The  Union  losses  in  this  brief  campaign  were  estimated  at  about 


3G5 


Valley  of  Virginia. 


1,000;  the  rebel  losses,  at  nearly  2,500.  These  casualties,  how- 
ever, occurred  chiefly  at  the  battle  of  Locust  Grove. 


VALLEY  OF  VIRGINIA. 

(AVEKILL’8  ItAID.) 

Decembbe  8 TO  21,  1SC3. 

XTnionUti,  tinder  General  A verill,  2,500.  Killed,  6 ; wounded,  6 ; lost  94. 
KisunionUts,  under  General  Early  and  other  rebel  generals,  numbers  not  given. 
Killed  and  wounded,  not  reported;  prisoners,  200. 

Decembeu  8tb,  an  expedition  under  General  Averill  was  sent  out 
for  the  purpose  of  cutting  tlie  Virginia  and  Tennessee  railroads,  in 
order  to  intercept  Longstreet’s  communications  with  tlie  rebel  cap- 
ital. The  whole  force  moved  in  four  columns,  Averill’s  being  the 
main  column,  and  the  others  the  strategic  ones.  They  advanced 
simultaneously.  Sullivan’s  command  set  out  from  Harper’s  Feri-y, 
Averill’s  from  New  Creek,  Moor’s  from  Beverly,  and  Scammou’s 
from  Charleston.  The  two  last-named  effected  a junction  at 
Lewisburg,  while  Averill  advanced  toward  the  railroad  line, — 
these  movements  threatening  Union  from  two  sides.  At  Woods- 
borough,  Averill  sent  olF  a detachment  under  Colonel  Thoburn  to 
threaten  Staunton,  and  pressed  on  with  the  remaind^  of  his  troops 
to  execute  the  main  object  for  which  the  expedition  was  organized. 
On  the  Kith,  he  cut  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee  Railroad,  inflicting 
great  damage  upon  the  track  and  the  running  gear  of  the  road.  lie 
also  destroyed  three  depots  at  Salem,  together  with  their  contents, 
valued  at  $200,000,  and  100  of  the  enemy’s  wagons.  The  line  of 
telegraph  along  the  railroad  was  cut  and  destroyed  by  coiling  and 
burning.  Two  bridges  and  several  culverts  also  were  demolished, 
seriously  damaging  the  railroad  for  a distance  of  fifteen  miles. 

After  accomplishing  this  destructive  raid.  General  Averill  at- 
tempted to  retrace  his  steps ; and  found  six  separate  rebel  com- 
mands, under  Generals EaVly,  Jones,  Fitzhugh  Lee,  Jackson,  Echols, 
and  McCanstrin  drawn  up  in  hostile  array  to  cut  off  his  retreat. 
Tl»  enemy’s  line  extended  from  Staunton  to  Newport,  upon  all  the 
roads  over  whieh  it  was  possible  to  transport  artillery. 

General  Averill  determined  to  cut  his  way  through  the  rebel 
hordes  at  all  hazards,  and  accomplished  his  purpose  by  a nigbt  ma- 
neuver that  both  8urpri.sed  and  outwitted  the  foe.  The  latter  offered 
the  most  serious  opposition,  their  commanders  working  with  great 


366  JVewbern^  N.  C. 

Kl 

vigor  and  ingenuity  to  Linder  the  escape  of  the  Union  forces ; but 
they  entirely  failed  in  tbe  accomplishment  of  their  plans. 

For  several  days  General  Averill’s  men  were  out  of  subsistence, 
and  were  obliged  to  procure  provisions  from  private  houses  and 
the  scanty  store-supplies  they  found  along  the  route.  The  com- 
mand suffered  severely  with  cold  and  excessive  weariness.  The 
movements  of  the  expedition  were  executed  in  a spirited  manner. 
It  was  attended  with  many  dangers  and  difliculties ; but  the  prompt 
way  in  which  it  was  conducted  reflects  great  credit  upon  the  com- 
manding general  and  his  men. 


NEWBEEN,  N.  C. 

Feuruary  3 AND  4,  1864. 

Unionists,  ‘under  General  Foster,  numhers  not  reported.  Killed  and  miss- 
ing, 212. 

Kisunionisls,  under  General  Piekett,  10,000  to  26,000.  Killed  and  wounded, 
200  to  300. 

Fok  several  days  previous  to  the  attack  on  Newbern,  rumors  had 
prevailed  that  a large  rebel  force  was  gathering  at  Kinston,  a few 
miles  oil',  and  contemplated  an  attack.  A little  after  midnight, 
January  31st,  the  Federal  pickets  were  driven  in  at  Bacheldore 
Creek  and  Deep  Gully  on  the  west,  and  at  Brier’s  Creek  on  the  south. 
The  alarm  was  communicated  to  Newbern  from  the  front,  and  the 
long  roll  sounded  at  five  a.m.,  February  1st.  Six  companies  of 
cavalry  were  stationed  at  Bacheldore  Creek,  and  a regiment  of  in  - 
fantry at  Deep  Gully.  An  iron  car,  called  the  Monitor,  mounting 
two  guns,  also  assisted  the  defense.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fellows,  of 
the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  with  a detachment  of  115  men  and 
a portion  of  the  Ninety-ninth  New  York,  accompanied  by  a sec- 
tion of  Churchill’s  battery,  went  out  on  the  Washington  road  on 
the  morning  of  the  first.  Another  section  of  the  same  battery 
went  out  on  the  Trent  road,  and  was  captured  entire. 

The  enemy  advanced  at  all  points  at  the  front  in  overwhelming 
numhers.  The  Union  troops  made  strong  resistance,  and  held  them 
in  check  till  the  baggage  and  camp  equipage  could  be  removed *or 
burned.  The  Federal  loss  was  heavy,  a very  largo  proportion  of 
the  men  being  taken  prisoners.  The  rebels  followed  the  Unionists 
closely,  and  kept  up  a running  fire  upon  them  till  they  came  under 
the  guns  of  the  forts. 

The  attack  was  made,  by  the  rebel  General  Pickett,  with  a force 


Central  Misr,issi2)2^i  and  Alabama. 


07 


variously  estimated  at  from  10,000  to  25,000.  After  tlie  engage- 
ment on  the  1st,  the  enemy  were  supposed  to  liave  retired ; but 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  they  were  discovered  throwing 
up  a work  across  the  railroad  west  of  Newhern  and  about  one  mile 
from  Fort  Rowan.  Near  five  o’clock,  a brisk  and  effective  can- 
nonade was  oi)cned  from  tho  heavy  guns  in  tlie  fort.  The  iron- clad 
car  containing  two  six-pound  steel  guns  was  also  sent  up  tho  ro.ad, 
and  the  woods  were  shelled  on  each  side.  The  rebels  then  de- 
sisted from  their  work.  Not  long  after  midnight  twelve  boat-loads 
of  tho  enemy  came  quietly  down  the  Neuse  River,  and  captured 
the  Union  gun-hoat  Underwriter.  The  resistance  of  the  sailors 
was  sharp  but  brief  against  such  overwlielming  numbers.  Several 
w'ere  killed,  and  some  of  the  wounded  perished  in  the  flames  which 
subsequently  inwrapped  the  vessel. 

Tho  rebel  captors  consisted  of  marines  and  gun-boat  men.  As 
soon  as  they  obtained  control  of  the  Underwriter,  each  man  went 
at  once  to  his  post,  for  tho  purpose  of  working  and  defending 
the  vessel.  The  engineers  proceeded  to  the  engine-room,  the 
gunners  to  the  guns,  and  others  began  to  pay  out  tho  cable,  when 
she  suddenly  grounded.  Captain  Sanders,  of  Fort  Stephenson,  at 
once  began  to  throw  shell  into  her  and  she  was  quickly  set  on  fire. 
The  rebels  fled  in  great  haste,  leaving  seven  of  their  number  be- 
hind them.  From  their  prisoners  it  w'as  ascertained  that  the  night 
holbro  tho  capture  tho  same  i)arty  came  down  jiast  all  three 
forts  to  tho  navy-y"ard  at  tho  lower  end  of  tho  town,  and  sailed 
about  on  the  river;  but  could  find  no  gun-boat,  owing  to  the  dense 
fog  prevailing  at  that  time.  Their  preconcerted  plan  was  to  seize 
the  Underwriter,  and  go  down  with  her  and  capture  the  others, 
and  so  gain  control  of  the  town.  The  plot  was  bold  in  its  concep- 
tion, and  had  it  been  successfully  carried  out  would  have  been 
extremely  disastrous  to  the  Unionists. 



CENTRAL  MISSISSIPPI  AND  ALABAMA. 

(SHERMAN'S  RAID.) 

Fedruart  S to  March  4,  18&4. 

Vnionists^  under  General  If.  T.  Sherman 

DifauiionUtJiy  under  General  Polk^f  1 5,000  20,000.  Killed  and  wounded^ 

prisoners^  200. 

Douing  the  month  of  .January  a powerful  expedition,  under  com- 
mand of  General  W.  T.  Sherman,  w'as  organized  at  Vicksburg  for 


368  Central  Mississippi  and  Alabama. 

the  purpose  of  the  most  extensive  and  daring  raid  undertaken  dur- 
ing the  war.  Tliis  expedition  was  i)art  of  a system  of  concerted 
movements  intended  to  derange  the  plans  of  the  Confederate  leaders 
at  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  to  prevent  the  concentration  of 
their  forces  for  the  striking  of  a vigorous  blow  at  any  single  point, 
to  interfere  with  the  enforcement  of  their  conscription  act,  and  to 
inflict  all  possible  damage  on  the  rebel  cause.  Among  the  special 
designs  of  this  raid,  however,  the  most  conspicuous  were  to  destroy 
magazines  of  supplies  and  munitions  of  war,  to  break  up  gov- 
ernment factories,  to  cripple  the  great  lines  of  railroad  from 
central  Alabama  to  the  Mississippi,  and  to  desolate  the  country 
along  the  routes,  thus  rendering  the  organization  of  an  important 
rebel  campaign  in  this  region  impossible. 

General  Sherman’s  force  consisted  of  the  sixteenth  and  seven- 
teenth army  corps,  under  Generals  Ilnrlbnrt  and  McPherson.  It 
comprised  21,000  infantry,  1,200  cav.alry,  about  40  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, and  a train  of  800  wagons.  The  troops  left  their  camp  at 
Vicksburg  on  the  3d  of  February,  and  crossed  Black  River  in  two 
columns— the  sixteenth  corps  forming  the  left  wing,  at  ^Messenger’s 
Ferry;  the  seventeenth,  the  right  wing,  at  the  railroad  bridge  eight 
miles  below. 

The  following  day  the  advance  cavalry  guard  was  met  at  Cham- 
pion Hill  by  a superior  force  of  Confederate  cavalry,  and  driven 
back  with  a loss  of  seven  prisoners.  The  rebel  cavalry  was  soon 
afterward  comi)elled  to  retreat  in  turn,  before  an  advance  of  Union 
troops  under  Captain  Foster.  Their  entire  force  was  estimated  at 
7,000  men,  commanded  by  Generals  Adams,  Ross,  and  Ferguson, 
all  subject  to  orders  from  General  S.  D.  Lee.  They  fell  back  to  a 
commanding  position  on  the  west  side  of  Baker’s  Creek ; but  as 
the  Union  forces  pushed  forward  they  abandoned  the  position  and 
fled  in  confusion.  From  the  last-mentioned  point  to  Jackson  there 
was  continual  skirmishing  and  occasional  artillery  dueling;  yet  the 
losses  were  light  on  both  sides. 

On  approaching  Jackson  the  enemy  was  found  to  be  in  full  re- 
treat, and  a charge  was  immediately  ordered  to  jjrevent  his  taking 
position  on  Pearl  River.  The  rebels  were  thus  compelled  to  make 
a precipitate  retreat  across  the  stream,  without  stopping  to  save 
their  stores,  or  destroy  the  pontoons  which  had  afforded  them  a 
means  of  crossing;  the  latter  were  immediately  secured  by  the 
Union  troops.  The  next  day  was  occupied  in  destroying  public 
stores  and  arms,  in  tearing  up  the  track  of  the  Mississippi  Central 


Central  Mississippi  and  Alabama.  369 

Railroad,  and  in  repairing  tbo  pontoon  bridge.  On  tbe  7tb,  tbo 
march  toward  ileridiau  was  resumed ; and  on  tbe  afternoon  of 
tbe  same  day,  tbe  cavalry  readied  Brandon,  skirrnisbing  with  tbo 
rebels  tbe  entire  route.  Nearly  all  tbe  residents  of  tbe  town  bad 
left  with  tbe  retreating  Confederate  army.  It  was  found  that  little 
property  remained,  tbeir  work  of  destruction  having  been  thor- 
oughly done.  Up  to  this  point  everything  of  an  edible  nature 
bad  been  levied  upon  and  made  an  item  in  tbe  Union  commissariat. 
Every  mile  of  railroad  track  had  been  torn  up,  and  every  bridge 
and  depot  reduced  to  ashes. 

Tbe  enemy’s  rear-guard  continued  to  harass  the  advance  troops, 
till  within  eight  miles  of  Moreton,  tbe  next  important  post.  On 
tbe  morning  of  tbe  9tb  they  entered  this  town ; but  finding  no 
rebels,  they  progressed  unchecked  through  tbe  day,  and  encamped 
for  tbe  night  a few  miles  west  of  Hillsboro.  Tbo  following  morn- 
ing they  entered  tbe  town  without  oiiposition,  tbo  enemy  having 
again  fallen  back  to  tbe  eastward.  During  this  day  and  tbe  next, 
the  onwmrd  march  was  undisturbed  by  a single  shot;  but  on  tbe 
13tb,  the  rebels  appeared  in  force  near  Decatur,  and  were  prepared 
to  resist  tbe  advance  of  tbe  Unionists.  Some  heavy  skirmishing 
occurred  here,  and  the  enemy  showed  a determined  front.  But 
they  were  again  compelled  to  retreat.  During  tbe  day,  scores  of 
prisoners  were  captured,  tbo  Unionists  following  in  close  i)Hrsuit 
till  nine  o’clock  in  tbe  evening,  when  they  went  into  camp  about 
seven  miles  from  Meridian. 

Tbe  expedition  resumed  their  march  on  tbe  15th,  and  arrived  at 
ileridian  abofit  half  an  hour  after  General  Polk  bad  abandoned  tbe 
town.  Every  house  bad  perished  in  tbe  flames ; nothing  but  the 
devastated  town  plot  remained  to  mark  tbe  location  of  tbe  recently 
flourishing  place.  General  Sherman  remained  at  Meridian  five 
days,  in  tbe  hope  that  General  Smith’s  cavalry  expedition  would 
join  him  there.  During  that  time  detachments  were  sent  out  in 
all  directions  to  carry  on  tbe  work  of  destruction. 

On  tbe  20th,  the  army  left  Meridian,  on  its  return  to  Vicks- 
burg, it  being  deemed  inexpedient  to  advance  farther  without 
the  co-operation  of  a strong  cavalry  force.  General  Sherman 
continued  with  his  command  till  they  reached  Canton,  and  then 
left  for  Vicksburg.  Tbe  expedition  remained  under  tbo  direc- 
tion of  General  Ilurlburt  until  tbe  2d  of  l\farcb,  wl*en  tbe  route 
for  Vicksburg  was  resumed.  The  rear  was  harassed  until  it 
crossed  Rochester  Creek,  twenty-three  miles  from  Black  River. 


370 


Smith's  Raid. 


Tlioy  readied  their  destination  the  4th  of  Mardi,  having  sustained 
a loss  of  only  170  men.  The  amount  of  injury  inflicted  on  the 
Confederates  was  enormous:  150  miles  of  railway  were  rendered 
useless;  thirty  mills  and  10,000  bales  of  cotton  burned;  and 
2,000,000  bushels  of  corn,  twenty  locomotives,  twenty-eight  cars, 
sixty-seven  bridges,  and  7,000  feet  of  trestle  were  destroyed.  The 
Union  troops  also  captured  200  prisoners,  liberated  about  8,000 
negroes,  and  brought  back  several  thousand  horses  and  mules. 
They  subsisted  wholly  upon  the  country  through  which  they  pass- 
ed ; and  during  tho  entire  month,  generals  and  common  soldiers 
bivouacked  by  camp-fires  in  the  open  air. 


SMITH’S  RAID. 

Febevaet  11  TO  26,  1SC4. 

Vnionists,  under  General  W.  S.  Smith.  Losses,  not  given. 

l>isu7iionists,  under  Generals  Forrest  and  Chalmers.  Killed  and  wounded,  not 
reported ; prisoners,  SOO. 

A OAVALity  expedition  under  General  W.  S.  Smith  left  Memphis 
on  the  11th  inst.,  in  the  direction  of  Collinsville;  and  two  days 
later,  the  entire  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad  was 
abandoned  by  the  Union  troops  who  had  held  it  for  several  months 
for  the  purpose  of  enabling  this  General  to  arrange  his  plans  for 
the  expedition. 

On  the  18th,  the  expedition  reached  Okolona,  on  the  Mobile  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  130  miles  southeast  of  Memphis.  They  here  learned 
that  the  heroic  Union  army  under  General  Sherman  had  captured 
Meridian  and  was  advancing  easterly.  Somewhat  earlier  the  ex- 
pedition marched  to  Egypt,  a station  on  the  same  road,  and  there 
took  a vast  quantity  of  Confederate  corn.  One  column  went 
through  Aberdeen,  and  the  other  pursued  a westerly  course.  The 
former  column,  under  General  Grierson,  had  considerable  skirmish- 
ing near  that  place ; and  destroyed  over  100,000  bushels  of  Con- 
federate corn  at  Prairie  Station,  also  a large  lot  of  cotton. 

On  the  21st,  a movement  was  made  upon  West  Point,  where  they 
found  several  rebel  generals  combined  against  them.  Strong  eflbrts 
were  made  to  cut  the  Union  column  in  two,  but  without  success. 
Ueavy  fighting  occurred,  both  in  the  front  and  the  rear.  The 
Second  Iowa  fnade  a gallant  charge  and  lost  a number  of  its  brave 
men.  Two  or  three  hundred  rebels  hovered  on  each  flank  ; while 
the  heavy  force  in  the  rear  was  constantly  charging. 


371 


Olustee,  Fla. 


Smith  now  fell  slowly  back,  his  troops  ambushing  the  enemy  as 
they  advanced;  the  rebel  loss  was  heavy.  In  his  retreat  he  burnt 
every  trestle  of  the  Memphis  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  destroyed 
miles  of  the  track,  also  large  quantities  of  corn.  February  22d, 
the  Union  troops  broke  camp  at  one  a.m.,  after  resting  only  two 
hours.  As  the  roads  were  ambushed  at  every  available  point,  vol- 
ley after  volley  was  poured  into  the  enemy,  at  short  range,  as  tlicy 
advanced  ; but,  having  a much  greater  force,  the  rebels  continued 
to  press  the  Union  rear,  their  troops  moving  forward  on  each  flank 
with  the  design  of  reaching  the  Tallahatchie  in  advance  of  their 
antagonists,  forming  a junction  to  prevent  their  crossing,  and  cap- 
turing the  whole  command.  But  by  forced  marches.  General 
Smith  passed  both  flanking  columns ; and  pressing  forward  all 
night,  crossed  safely  at  New  Albany.  On  the  23d,  the  rear-guai'd 
skirmished  all  day,  and  also  on  the  following  day.  On  the  25tb, 
the  expedition  marched  fifty-two  miles,  arriving  at  Memphis  a little 
before  mid-day. 

The  expedition  destroyed  over  1,000,000  bushels  of  corn,  tore 
up  miles  of  the  Memphis  and  Ohio  Railroad  track,  burned  numer- 
ous bridges  and  trestles,  captured  over  1,500  mules  and  horses, 
about  2,000  negroes,  and  over  300  rebel  prisoners.  They  were 
successful  at  every  point,  and  in  every  particular  except  the  im- 
portant one  of  making  a junction  with  Sherman;  this  thfey  attrib- 
uted to  the  slow  movements  of  certain  cavalry  regiments,  which 
caused  a week’s  delay  in  the  starting  of  tlio  expedition.  The  Union 
loss  is  not  given,  but  is  believed  to  be  much  less  than  the  enemy’s. 




OLUSTEE,  FLA. 

FKnRUAnY  20,  18C4. 

VnionitU,  under  Oeneral  Seymour,  4,900.  Killed,  wounded,  and  miuing,  1,200. 
Di sunionisis,  under  General  Gardner,  13,000.  Louses,  not  reported. 

During  the  early  part  of  February  an  expedition  under  command 
of  General  Gillmore  had  been  fitted  out  at  Hilton  Head,  South 
Carolina,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  possession  of  a portion  of  Flor- 
ida. On  the  7th  inst.,  the  exjiedition  entered  the  mouth  of  the 
St.  John’s  River,  and  during  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  a de- 
tachment under  General  Seymour  gained  possession  of  Jackson- 
ville. From  this  point  bis  troops  pushed  forward  a little  distance 
into  the  interior,  making  several  valuable  captures.  Soon  after 


872  Olustee,  Fla. 

General  Gillinore  returned  to  Port  Royal,  leaving  General  Seymour 
in  chief  command. 

On  tlie  1‘JtIi,  the  latter  joined  his  troops  at  Barber’s  Station,  con- 
sisting of  4,900  infantry  and  400  cavalry,  with  twenty  pieces  of 
artillery.  The  following  morning  the  little  army  set  out  to  find 
the  enemy.  Their  route  extended  through  the  unvarying  pine 
forests  of  the  country,  over  immense  sandy  tracts,  or  through 
swamps  naturally  impenetrable  to  the  foot  of  man.  They  reached 
Sanderson  about  noon ; and  though  wearied  with  a march  of  six- 
teen miles,  pushed  forward,  without  delay,  to  Olustee,  the  point  at 
which  they'  expected  to  encounter  the  enemy.  The  troops  advanced 
in  three  columns,  keeping  near  the  railroad,  the  cavalry  in  front 
and  the  artillery  distributed  along  the  line  of  infantry.  The  right 
column,  consisting  of  three  New  York  regiments,  was  led  by  Col- 
onel Barton  ; the  center  column  was  made  up  of  the  cavalry,  under 
Major  Stephens,  and  the  mounted-infantry,  under  Colonel  Henry; 
the  left,  commanded  by  Colonel  Montgomery,  also  embraced  three 
regiments. 

The  advance  cavalry  force  first  came  upon  the  enemy’s  pickets 
five  miles  east  of  Olustee.  The  latter  retired  as  the  Union  troops 
advanced,  and  fell  back  upon  the  main  body  of  their  army,  which 
was  strongly  posted  between  swamps  ten  miles  beyond  Sanderson. 
Their  po.sition  was  admirably  chosen.  On  the  right,  the  rebel  lino 
rested  upon  a low  and  rather  slight  earth-work  protected  by  rifle- 
’pits  ; their  center  was  defended  by  an  impassable  swamp  ; while 
the  cavalry  drawn  up  on  a small  elevation  sheltered  behind  a grove 
of  pines,  occupied  the  left.  A battery  was  mounted  on  the  rail- 
road track,  to  hurl  its  deadly  missiles  upon  the  Union  left,  or  capa- 
ble of  being  turned  against  the  center.  A ritled-gun  commanded 
the  road,  and  sharp-shooters  swarmed  in  the  tree-tops. 

The  position  selected  by  the  enemy  for  the  Federal  troops  to  oc- 
cupy (and  which  they  did  occupy  during  the  temporary  exigences 
of  the  occasion)  was  between  two  swamps ; the  one  in  front  pre- 
vented a charge  upon  the  rebel  line,  that  in  the  rear  was  to  impede 
their  reti-eat.  The  railroad  could  only  be  attained  by  wading  to 
the  armpits  in  water,  or  by  making  a wide  detour.  To  fall  away 
from  the  railroad  was  to  cut  themselves  ofiT  from  the  supi)orting 
force,  which  were  advancing  on  the  left  of  the  track,  and  to  en- 
danger the  safety  of  their  train.  Nothing  could  have  been  better 
planned  or  more  readily  acquiesced  in.  General  Seymour  accepted 
the  hazardous  issue,  pushed  his  guns  into  position  upon  low  ground. 


Olustee^  Fla.  373 

eighty  yards  distant  from  the  nearest  rebel  battery,  and  beheld  his 
gunners  and  their  horses  sliot  down,  with  stern  determination. 

The  Seventh  New  Hampshire  Kegiment  was  the  first  to  come 
under  fire.  Many  of  its  men  were  inexperienced  soldiers ; those 
on  the  left  flank  had  been  recently  deprived  of  their  rifles  and  pro- 
vido<l  with  inferior  muskets  having  no  bayonets  and  so  generally 
dcrectivo  that  many  of  them  wore  totally  iiseless.  A murderous 
fire  was  poured  upon  them  by  the  enemy’s  sharp-shooters;  and 
being  unable  to  return  an  effective  fire,  the  left  wing  gave  away, 
and  could  not  again  be  rallicrt.  In  less  than  twenty  minutes,  360 
of  their  numbers  were  mown  down  by  the  storm  of  bullets.  The 
right  flank,  which  still  retained  the  Spencer  repeating  rifle,  main- 
tained their  ground  till  compelled  to  retire  by  lack  of  ammunition. 

The  enemy  directed  their  attack  chiefly  upon  the  right  and  cen- 
ter, on  which  they  made  vigorous  and  persistent  assaults.  Advanc- 
ing from  their  position,  they  pushed  down  upon  the  Union  line  in 
great  force,  with  a regiment  of  cavalry  on  each  flank.  Colonel 
Barton’s  brigade  and  the  artillery,  with  a regiment  of  colored 
troops,  received  them  fiercely,  and  for  some  time  held  them  in 
check.  The  latter,  after  suffering  severely  from  the  concentrated 
fire  of  a superior  force,  fell  back  in  confusion  and  exposed  the  artil- 
lery to  a heavy  flank-fire  on  the  left.  The  gunners  were  rapidly 
shot  down,  and  those  who  came  forward  to  fill  the  vacant  places 
soon  shared  their  fate.  Two  of  the  batteries  suffered  so  heavily 
that,  toward  the  close  of  the  engagement,  they  were  obliged  to 
suspend  firing.  In  attempting  to  draw  off  the  guns,  most  of  the 
horses  were  killed  ; and  two  of  them  were  left  upon  the  field,  for 
lack  of  means  to  remove  them. 

This  unequal  contest  was  gallantly  sustained  until  it  became  ap- 
parent that  the  numerical  superiority  of  the  enemy  was  too  great 
to  bo  overbalanced  by  the  valor  of  the  Federal  soldiers.  The  Union 
line  was  gradually  drawn  back,  leaving  the  dead  and  many  of  their 
wounded  in  the  hands  of  the  foe.  TSiis  movement  was  covered  by 
troops  who  fought  bravely  and  lost  severely.  There  was  neither 
confusion  nor  straggling;  and  though  the  men  were  excessively 
fatigued  with  marching  and  desperate  fighting,  they  were  in  no 
degree  depressed  by  the  repulse  they  had  sustained.  For  some  dis- 
tance the  retreat  was  conducted  in  order  of  battle,  under  the  sup- 
position that  the  enemy  would  follow  up  his  advantage ; but  as  no 
pursuit  in  force  w'as  attempted,  the  line  was  changed,  and  the  troops 
retired  in  columns.  They  continued  to  full  back  till  they  reached 

18 


Tunnel  Hill^  Ga. 


S'/! 

Barber’s  Station,  performing  a march  of  thirty-four  miles  and 
fighting  a buttle  of  three  hours  and  a half’s  duration  in  a single 
day.  The  following  morning  the  troops  retired  to  Baldwin,  and 
somewhat  later  continued  their  retreat  to  their  camping-ground 
near  Jacksonville. 

The  Federal  loss  in  this  severe  engagement  was  not  less  than 
1,200.  The  casualties  of  the  rebel  army  are  not  reported. 


TUNNEL  HILL,  GA. 

FEBBUiKY  22  TO  26, 1864. 

Unionists,  under  General  Palmer,  numhere  not  reported.  Killed  and  wounds 
ed,  76. 

Dieunionists,  under  General  Wheeler  and  other  officers,  numbers  not  given.  Kill- 
ed and  wounded,  not  reported;  prisoners,  SOO. 

On  the  22d  of  February,  a strong  column  of  infantry,  preceded 
by  cavalry,  moved  out  from  Chattanooga,  near  the  old  battle-field 
of  Chickamauga,  and  took  the  direct  route  for  Tunnel  Hill  and 
Dalton.  The  force  advanced  without  opposition  east  of  the  Chick- 
aniauga,  across  which  and  back  a party  of  rebel  cavalry  were 
driven  in  confusion  by  Colonel  Harrison.  The  head  of  the  column 
marched  on,  and  rested  during  the  night  at  Kinggold.  The  advance 
cavalry  had  several  light  skirmishes  with  the  enemy’s  mounted 
force,  consisting  of  the  First  Tennessee  rebels.  They  were  con- 
tinually driven  back,  however,  until  the  Union  force  came  in  sight 
of  Tunnel  Hill.  Here  the  conflict  began.  Colonel  Harrison  hav- 
ing pushed  far  toward  the  front  found  the  enemy  arrayed  in  superior 
force,  and  retired  till  he  was  met  by  the  advancing  infantry.  Con- 
fident of  support,  he  again  pushed  forward,  and  drove  the  foe  from 
Tunnel  Hill.  The  further  progress  of  the  Union  troops  was  here 
checked  by  the  enemy’s  artillery.  Darkness  coming  on  rapidly, 
the  forces  retired  about  four  miles  in  the  direction  of  Dalton  to 
await  sup[)lie3.  In  the  mean  thno  General  Stanley’s  force  ad  vatmed 
from  the  vicinity  of  Cleveland,  Colonel  Long,  of  the  Fourth  Ohio 
Cavalry,  leading  the  van ; and  penetrated  within  three  miles  of 
Dalton.  , 

On  the  24th  the  onward  march  was  again  resumed,  portions  of 
Johnson’s  and  Baird’s  commands  moving  on  the  main  road  from 
Ringgold  to  Tunnel  Hill.  Hero  it  soon  became  evident  that  the 
enemy  were  resolved  to  make  a stand.  The  cavalry  had  proceeded 
a considerable  distance  ahead  of  the  infantry,  but  as  soon  as  the  lajj- 


Central  Virginia. 


373 


tfir  approached  in  numbers  sufficient  to  afford  support,  the  cavalry 
' advanced  in  column  along  the  road,  in  plain  view  of  the  bill  which 
was  surmounted  by  rebel  cannon  the  previous  day.  Ko  enemy  had 
been  observed;  when  suddenly  a battery  planted  on  the  hill  to 
the  right  of  the  Tunnel  opened,  and  a number  of  shells  were  thrown 
into  the  Union  ranks.  Several  ^vere  killed  and  wounded.  No 
panic  followed,  however,  and  the  cavalry  retired  to  shelter. 

Other  detachments  of  infantry  arrived  and  were  deployed  in 
line.  Meanwhile  the  Union  artillery  came  up  ; and  two  ten-pound 
Parrott  guns  were  placed  on  an  eminence  to  the  right  of  the  road, 
and  opened  upon  the  foe  with  some  effect,  lessened,  liQwever,  by  an 
imperfection  of  the  shells,  but  few  of  which  e.xploded.  Two  other 
pieces  were  afterward  placed  at  the  left  of  the  road,  and  assisted 
in  dislodging  the  rebel  battery  from  its  position.  The  infantry 
then  advanced  upon  the  enemy’s  right  flank,  and  boldly  marching 
upon  the  crest  of  the  hill,  completely  turned  the  works  of  the 
rebels,  who  fled  without  discharging  a musket.  The  entire  line, 
moving  forward,  occupied  wdthout  further  contest  the  ridge  of 
Tunnel  Hill.  Along  its  summit  were  tolerably  formidable  works 
of  stone  and  logs.  On  the  eastern  side  were  the  deserted  camps 
of  General  Cleburne’s  rebel  division.  The  rebels  continued  their 
retreat  to  Dalton,  the  Unionists  following  and  pressing  heavily 
upon  them. 


CENTRAL  VIRGINIA. 

(kilpatrick^s  raid.) 

Fcbruary  28  TO  March  4, 1864. 

CTritonMte,  under  General  Kilpatrick^  5,000.  Losses^  not  reported, 

JHsunioniaiey  under  Colonel  )r.  //.  Stephens  and  oihtrSy  nuinbers  not  reported* 
Killed  and  wounded^  unknown  ; prisoners^  500. 

Februaky  28th,  General  Kilpatrick  left  Stevensburg,  Va.,  with 
a cavalry  force  of  6,000  men,  selected  from  his  own,  Merritt’s,  and 
Gregg’s  divisions.  Proceeding  to  the  Rapidan,  be  crossed  at  Ely’s 
Ford.  Thence  the  column  marched  to  Spottsylvania  Court  House, 
which  place  was  reached  without  encountering  the  enemy.  From 
this  point  to  the  end  of  the  daring  journey,  they  were  constantly 
harassed  by  the  rebels,  and  withstood  their  attacks  with  heroic 
determination.  At  the  last-mentioned  place,  the  command  was 
divided  into  different  parties,  who  were  to  scour  the  country  as 
they  advanced  toward  a common  center — Richmond.  Every  road 


370 


Central  Virginia, 


was  to  be  carefully  scouted,  that  concealed  foes  might  not  concen- 
trate and  annoy  tlicin.  They  carried  with  them  a very  small  siii>- 
jily  of  provision,  having  determined  that  for  once  they  would  carry 
out  the  celebrated  order,  to  subsist  upon  the  enemy’s  country. 

On  Monday  they  reached  the  Virginia  Railroad  and  tore  up  the 
track  in  four  places,  and  destroyed  whatever  pro[)erty  would 
render  the  road  useful. 

'I'he  expedition  under  Colonel  Dahlgren  that  marched  on  the 
Central  Railroad  came  upon  a court-martial  peacefully  liolding  its 
session  at  Frederickshall,  and  there  captured  several  rebel  ollicers. 
Leaving  the  latter  place  they  pushed  on  for  Richmond — Colonel 
Dahlgren’s  command  keeping  well  to  the  right,  in  the  direction  of 
Louisa  Court  House,  wliile  General  Kilpatrick  with  the  main  body 
moved  upon  Ashland,  both  parties  inflicting  all  possible  damage. 

As  they  neared  the  enemy’s  stronghold,  the  two  commands  began 
to  concentrate.  Colonel  Dahlgren  was  to  move  down  to  the  right 
of  Richmond,  destroying  as  much  of  the  James  River  Canal  as  ho 
could  ; then,  taking  the  river  road,  to  eflect  a crossing,  enter  the 
city  from  the  south  side,  and  attempt  the  rescue  of  the  prisoners  on 
Belle  Isle.  General  Kilpatrick  was  to  attack  Richmond,  by  the 
Brook’s  turnpike,  simultaneously  with  the  other  force. 

Two  of  those  strange  fatalities  (which  more  than  once  during 
the  struggle  with  the  rebellion  have  snatched  success  from  the 
very  grasp  of  those  whose  valorous  achievements  have  richly 
merited  the  victor’s  crown)  interposed  to  prevent  the  consummation 
of  one  of  the  best  conceived  and  most  brilliant  plans  of  the  war. 
Colonel  Dahlgren  relied  upon  a negro  to  pilot  him  to  Richmond, 
who  proved  treacherous,  and  led  the  command  to  Goochland — 
miles  in  the  opposite  direction.  Exasperated  at  the  baseness  of 
their  guide,  the  troops  renewed  their  work  of  destruction,  and 
annihilated  all  the  rebel  property  that  came  within  their  reach. 

This  detachment  did  not  reach  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  city 
till  Tuesday  afternoon,  when  everybody  was  on  the  ^'qid  vi'oe^’’  Kd- 
patrick  having  already  commenced  the  attack.  A party  of  Dablgren's 
command  attemjited  to  cross  the  river ; a very  brisk  engagement 
ensued,  and  finding  the  enemy  confronting  them  on  every  road,  in 
vastly  superior  numbers,  they  reluctantly  fell  back.  In  attempting 
to  cut  their  way  out,  the  commander  with  150  of  his  men  were 
separated  from  the  rest ; the  others  succeeded  in  rejoining  the  main 
column.  Meanwhile  General  Kilpatrick  proceeded  down  the 
Brook  turnpike  from  Ashland,  having  torn  up  the  rails  at  that 


Central  Yirginia.  3 7 7 

point,  and  destroying  the  telegraph  as  he  advanced.  At  one  of  tho 
stations,  however,  the  operator  succeeded  in  sending  a telegram  to 
Richmond,  announcing  that  invaders  were  approaching.  He  was 
taken  prisoner  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes ; but  that  short  time 
placed  the  threatened  city  upon  the  alert ; a dozen  field  pieces  were 
l)ut  in  battery,  and  a now  iutrcnchmcut  thrown  up  while  awaiting 
Kilpatrick’s  arrival. 

The  troops  reached  the  outer  fortifications  early  on  Tuesday 
morning ; and  as  the  spires  appeared  in  view,  cheer  upon  cheer 
went  up  from  the  Unionists.  They  immediately  entered  the  outer 
line;  the  rebels  therein  threw  down  their  arms  and  quietly  surren- 
dered. A struggle  then  followed  for  the  second  line ; but  the  bat- 
teries repelled  the  Federal  troops,  and  Gener.al  Kilpatrick  opened 
upon  tho  enemy  with  his  battery.  The  soldiers  were  fired  with 
enthusiasm,  and  ready  to  surmount  every  opposing  obstacle ; but 
General  Kilpatrick  acted  the  wiser  part,  and  as  the  shrill  whistle 
of  the  locomotive  announced  the  bringing  up  of  reinforcements 
from  Pickett’s  brigade,  he  reluctantly  gave  the  order  to  move  to- 
ward Mechanicsville.  The  difficulty  of  obeying  this  order  soon 
became  apjiarent.  Tho  enemy’s  pickets  confronted  them  on  every 
road.  Night’s  shadows  falling  around  them,  Kiljiatrick,  with  his 
accustomed  audacity,  halted  and  made  preparations  to  camp.  He 
chose  a place,  however,  too  near  a rebel  camp,  and  was  shelled  out 
of  his  position.  The  Union  soldiers  were  thus  comj)elled  to  grope 
their  way  in  darkness  and  gloom,  fighting  when  pressed  too  hard, 
and  with  the  tell-tale  whistle  of  the  locomotive  now  warning  them 
that  troops  were  being  hurried  back  to  Bottom’s  Bridge,  in  the 
hope  of  cutting  off  their  retreat. 

On  Monday,  the  day  after  the  expedition  set  out.  General  Butler 
received  orders  to  send  out  a force  to  meet  Kilpatrick  and  assist 
him,  if  necessary.  Had  tho  latter  General  known  of  tho  force  at 
New  Kent  Court  House  or  Bottom’s  Bridge,  he  W'ould  not  have 
turned  away  from  Richmond,  but  have  given  Butler’s  men  oppor- 
tunity to  fight  for  the  same  prize.  Two  thousand  infantry  (colored 
troops),  800  cavalry  under  Colonel  Spear,  the  Eleventh  Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry,  and  the  First  Rhode  Island  battery  were  sent  to  New 
Kent  Court  House,  to  be  governed  by  circumstances  as  to  further 
movements.  The  colored  infantry-troops  reached  their  point  ot 
destination  Tuesday,  at  mid-day,  having  performed  an  extraordi- 
nary night-march  through  mud  and  tailing  rain.  The  cavalry 
arrived  some  hours  earlier.  About  eight  o’clock  in  the  evening 


Fort  De  Fussy,  etc..  La. 


STa 

of  the  same  day,  Colonel  Spear,  with  a portion  of  his  cavalry  force, 
proceeded  to  Tunstall  Station,  and  destroyed  rebel  jjroperty  in  the 
vicinity,  with  ruthless  band.  Tuesday  night  a detachment  of  Kil- 
patrick’s force  was  discovered ; but  not  knowing  whether  they 
were  friends  or  foes,  a warm  reception  was  prepared  for  them. 
The  question  was  solved  at  daylight;  and  as  the  two  columns  of 
cavalry  came  in,  on  both  sides  of  the  colored  brigade  drawn  up  to 
receive  them,  the  mutual  cheers  were  loud  and  prolonged. 

The  troops  went  into  camp  near  Fort  Magruder,  Thursday  night, 
and  the  following  day  removed  to  Williamsburg  for  tlie  purpose  of 
obtaining  forage  and  rations. 

This  raid  was  one  of  the  most  daring  of  the  war ; and  were  it 
not  for  the  two  fatalities  mentioned,  would  have  been  wholly  suc- 
cessful. The  soldiers  made  severe  depredations  upon  the  farm- 
yards, and  also  acquired  large  sums  of  Confederate  money.  Over 
500  prisoners  were  taken,  and  immediately  parolled,  as  tlio  nature 
of  the  expedition  rendered  it  impossible  to  bring  them  away. 


FORT  DE  RDSSY,  ETC.,  LA. 

Mabcu  14,  18&4. 

UnionisiSy  under  General  A.  J.  Smithy  10,000.  Killedy  7 ; woundedy  41. 
DimnioniatSy  under  General  l>icJc  11,250.'  Killedyb'y  wounded y 4i  •y  prU* 

onerdy  825. 

On  Thursday  night,  the  10th  of  March,  the  usual  quiet  and  mo- 
notony of  tlie  little  city  of  Vicksburg  were  disturbed  by  tlio  depar- 
ture of  ten  thousand  troops,  on  twenty  river  transports,  under  the 
direction  of  General  A.  J.  Smith,  commander  of  the  Eed  River 
expedition.  All  day  the  dusty  streets  had  resounded  with  the 
tumult  of  voices,  and  the  steady  tramping  of  martial  feet;  while 
on  the  air  was  borne  the  swelling  notes  of  national  melodies,  and 
the  Flag  of  Freedom  waved  its  glittering  folds  over  the  bronzed 
features  of  tried  and  trusty  m^n. 

At  seven  o’clock,  Thursday  evening,  the  scene  on  the  Mississippi 
River  opposite  Vicksburg  was  sublime.  From  the  deck  of  the 
flag-ship  went  up  the  long  shrill  wliistle,  the  signal  for  departure, 
which  was  instantly  answered  by  the  immense  fleet,  each  steamer’s 
whistle  screaming  a reply. 

Five  minutes  later,  the  great  flotilla  was  in  motion,  the  varie- 
gated lights  swinging  to  and  fro  from  the  mast-heads,  while  the 
crowded  decks  glistened  with  loyal  bayonets,  and  the  cabin  win- 


I 

I 


37^ 


J^ort  De  Hussy,  etc.,  La. 


(lows  reflected  a brilliant  light  upon  the  rushing  waters.  Add  to 
this  picture  the  array  of  simple  shelter-tents  spread  in  miniature 
encampments  on  the  upper  decks  of  the  steamers,  the  sl)owers  of 
golden  sparks  scattered  from  tlie  monster  black  chimneys,  the  thrill- 
ing music  of  several  hpass  bands,  and  the  cheering  of  the  soldiers 
eager  for  the  approaching  conflict,  and  some  idea  m^y  be  formed 
of  the  magnificenj;  spectacle. 

At  four  o’clock  on  Friday  afternoon  the  vessels  came  to  anchor 
at  the  mouth  of  Ked  Kiver,  where  Admiral  Porter’s  formidable 
fleet  of  twenty  gun-boats  was  in  readiness  to  accompany  the  land 
force  up  the  river.  On  Saturday  the  fleet  steamed  up  Old  River  at 
an  early  hour,  passing  by  the  mouth  of  Red  River  into  the  Atcha- 
falaya;  and  late  in  the  afternoon  anchored  at  Semmesport,  or  rather 
the  ruins  of  what  once  was  Semmesport.  On  Sunday,  the  13th 
iust.,  after  waiting  twenty-four  hours  for  information  from  an  ex- 
pedition under  General  Ranks,  with  which  this  expedition  was  to 
co-operate.  General  Smith  disembarked  a portion  of  his  troops; 
and  sent  a brigade  under  General  Mower  to  reconnoiter  in  the 
vicinity  of  Yellow  Bayou,  where  the  enemy  had  partially  erected 
quite  a strong  fort  at  the  intersection  of  Bayou  de  Glace  and  Yel- 
low Bayou.  On  reaching  this  point  it  was  found  deserted  by  the 
enemy,  who  had  burned  the  bridge  leading  across  the  river  at  that 
place.  The  extensive,  though  incomplete,  earth-w'orks  they  had 
forsaken  indicated  their  intention  to  use  the  Atchafalaya  as  the 
principal  line  of  defense,  depending  upon  the  shallowness  of  the 
stream  to  protect  them  against  the  attack  of  the  Union  gun-boats. 
But  the  unexpeefed  appearance  of  a formidable  fleet  had  caused 
them  to  abandon  the  strong  but  unfinished  works,  and  to  hasten  to 
the  defense  of  Fort  De  Russy. 

General  Smith  immediately  decided  to  march  overland  against 
the  fort,  leaving  the  fleet  to  demolish  the  obstructions  across  the 
river  and  to  follow  as  soon  as  it  was  practicable.  They  accom- 
plished the  distance  of  thirty-five  miles,  in  light  marching  order, 
within  twenty  hours.  The  rebel  cavalry  kept  up  a series  of  har- 
assing demonstrations  during  the  entire  route.  But  on  the  other 
hand  General  Kirby  Smith,  commanding  the  rear  division  of  the 
enemy,  was  repeatedly  obliged  to  form  in  line  of  battle  in  order  to 
repel  a threatened  attack.  The  head  of  the  column  approached 
Fort  De  Russy  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  14th  ; 
and  after  spending  some  time  in  cautious  advances  tow'ard  the  posi- 
tion, the  Union  lines  were  moved  up  to  the  edge  of  the  heavy  woods 


sei3 


Fort  Fe  Mussy,  etc..  La. 


wliich  surrounded  the  fort.  The  enemy  opened  immediately  with 
a heavy  fire  of  shell  and  shrapnel  from  four  guns.  Two  batteries 
replied  promptly,  and  kept  up  a brisk  cannonade  for  two  hours. 
General  Smith  then  directed  an  advance  of  skirmishers,  which 
movement  was  followed  by  a severe  fusiladq.  A charge  was  soon 
afterward  ordered  and  gallantly  led  by  the  Fifty-eighth  Illinois  and 
Eighth  Wisconsin.  With  prolonged  cheers,  in  the  teeth  of  a mur- 
derous fire,  the  heroic  troops  rushed  bravely  on  to  the  almost  im- 
passable ditches  defended  by  an  abattis  strongly  fastened  to  the 
ground,  and  im[)enetrable  except  to  the  most  determined  assail- 
ants. The  sun  was  just  setting,  and  as  his  declining  beams  gilded 
the  parapets  of  Fort  De  Russy,  the  grandeur  of  the  thrilling  war- 
tableaux  presented  at  this  moment  can  hardly  be  conceived.  The 
fierce  onset,  the  confused  struggle  that  followed,  the  fiame  and 
smoke  of  combat,  and  the  victorious  columns  pouring  over  the 
ramparts,  formed  a scene  alike  glorious  and  sublime.  AVithln 
twenty-five  minutes  after  the  order  for  the  assault  liad  been  issued, 
the  garrison  surrendered,  and  the  national  flag  floated  triumphantly 
over  the  captured  works.  Almost  at  the  same  moment,  the  gun- 
boat fleet  arrived  and  learned  from  the  enthusiastic  cheers  of  the 
victors  that  the  fort  had  been  reduced  without  their  aid.  Tliough 
the  honor  of  this  brilliant  victory  belongs  chiefly  to  the  land  forces, 
the  abandonment  of  Semmes^iort  was  probably  due  to  the  sudden 
appearance  of  the  naval  force  m a quarter  where  such  a demon- 
stration was  as  unexpected  as  it  was  decisive. 

Fort  Ho  Russy  was  a strong  quadrangular  work,  with  bastions 
and  bomb-proofs,  covered  witli  railroad  iron.  tJonnec.ted  with  tlio 
fort  was  a powerful  water  battery,  the  casemates  of  which  appear- 
ed to  be  capable  of  resisting  the  heaviest  shot  and  shell.  The  guns 
were  arranged  admirably,  and  commanded  the  river  for  a consider- 
able distance  up  and  down.  Ten  guns  were  captured  in  all,  a largo 
number  of  small-arms,  2,000  barrels  of  fine  powder,  a stock  of  as- 
sorted ammunition,  and  a quantity  of  commissary  stores.  The 
garrison  had  been  reduced  recently  from  1,000  to  325  men,  includ- 
ing twenty-four  commissioned  officers;  all  of  whom  were  taken 
prisoners.  The  casualties  were  trifling  on  both  sides. 

Soon  after  this  victorious  achievement,  the  expedition  was 
ordered  forward  to  Alexandria,  where  they  arrived,  accompanied 
by  the  gun-boats,  on  the  16th.  Here  they  were  joined  by  the  ad- 
vance of  General  Banks’  expedition,  consisting  of  a cavalry  force 
under  General  Lee.  In  the  mean  time,  orders  had  been  given  for 


Natchitoches^  La. 


381 


the  destruction  of  Fort  De  Russy  by  the  explosion  of  the  magazines. 
The  explosion  was  accomplished  at  ten  o’clock  on  the  evening  of 
the  17th,  causing  the  gun  boats  and  transports  in  the  river  to  rock 
as  though  an  earthquake  had  taken  place.  As  there  were  some 
400  pounds  of  powder  in  the  three  magazines,  which  w'ero  fired 
simultaneously,  the  report  was  terrific.  A sharp  forked  flash  shot 
fiercely  up  into  the  serene  Jieavens,  shedding  a fearful  illumination 
on  every  surrounding  object;  in  an  instant  a deafening  roar,  louder 
than  the  loudest  thunder,  reverberated  through  the  forests;  and  the 
walls  and  foundations  of  the  fort  were  scattered  in  indiscriminate 
ruin. 

♦♦♦ — 

NATCHITOCHES,  LA. 

March  21, 1864. 

Unioni^U.^  under  General  Mower^  one  division.  Losses  none. 

DisunionUifi.t  under  General  Dick  Taylo}\  1,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  8 ; prh^ 
onevs^  282. 

General  Smith,  having  learned  through  citizens  and  refugees 
the  direction  taken  by  the  rebels  after  evacuating  Alexandria,  de- 
termined to  give  them  a tangible  reminder  of  the  presence  of  the 
Stars  and  Stripes  in  that  region.  Accordingly  he  ordered  General 
klower,  whose  division  had  recently  been  considerably  augmented 
by  additions  from  General  Lee’s  mounted  forces,  to  make  a reconnois- 
sance  In  that  direction. 

The  morning  of  the  21st  found  the  forces  in  line,  and  by  nine 
o’clock  they  were  ‘‘  en  route."  A strong  advance-guard  was 
thrown  forward,  and  covered  the  march  of  the  main  body.  Twelve 
miles  above  Alexandria  the  skirmishers  came  upon  a body  of  rebels 
200  strong.  They  were  immediately  attacked ; and  brisk  fighting 
ensued,  lasting  for  a quarter  of  an  hcyir.  It  resulted  in  the  flight 
of  the  foe,  but  in  no  serious  casualty.  Meanwhile  the  riiain  body 
was  pushing  forward  rapidly,  but  failed  to  arrive  till  after  the  flight 
of  the  rebels.  The  cavalry  advance  then  started  in  pursuit;  but 
torrents  of  rain  made  the  march  slow.  At  night-fall  they  encoun- 
tered the  enemy  at  Natchitoches,  about  eight  miles  from  where  they 
first  met  a rebel  force.  They  were  in  position  on  a considerable 
eminence  on  the  road,  with  four  pieces  of  light  artillery  ; and  seem- 
ed determined  to  make  obstinate  resistance.  The  Union  force  was 
at  once  divided  : one  part  demonstr.ating  in  front ; while  the  other, 
under  the  cover  of  darkness,  made  a detour  around  the  right  of 
their  position,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  them  off. 


382 


Paducah^  JTy. 

As  night  camo  on,  all  demonstrations  in  front  were  of  course 
useless.  Meanwhile  the  detached  force  was  groping  its  way 
through  the  forest,  now  doubly  dark  from  the  half-grown  foliage 
and  the  overhanging  clouds.  About  nine  o’clock  one  of  Dick 
Taylor’s  “ orderlies”  was  captured,  from  whom  much  information 
was  elicited  to  facilitate  movements.  A half  hour  later  the  Union 
soldiers  were  among  the  rebel  guards,  and  not  more  than  200  yards 
from  their  cuTiip-fires.  Coining  from  the  direction  they  did,  the 
enemy  natui'ally  mistook  tliem  for  reinforcements.  The  guards 
were  jiickcd  olf  one  after  another,  until  nearly  the  entire  lino  was 
nnoccui)ied;  w'hen  the  Federal  troops  moved  up  to  the  cani[). 
Here  of  course  they  were  recognized,  and  for  a few  minutes  the 
greatest  excitement  prevailed.  Cries  of  “To  arms!”  “The  Yan- 
kees are  upon  us!”  resounded  through  the  camp.  In  ten  minutes 
the  entire  force  was  disarmed,  not  more  than  twenty  escaping ; 282 
cavalrymen  were  captured  with  their  horses. 


PADUCAH,  KY. 

March  25,  1864. 

UnionistSf  under  Colonel  JlickSy  800.  KiUedy  12  ; wounded^  40. 

Disunioniets^  under  General  Forrest,  7.000,  Killed,  800 ; wounded,  1,000. 

Geneual  Fokeest,  with  a force  of  7,000  men,  attacked  Paducah, 
Ky.,  March  25th,  on  his  way  from  Union  City  northward  across 
the  State.  On  his  arrival  he  made  a demand  for  a surrender  of  the 
place,  which  being  rejected  by  Colonel  Hicks,  commander  of  the 
fort,  the  attack  was  immediately  dommenced. 

It  continued  during  the  whole  afternoon,  the  enemy  making  four 
assaults,  in  each  of  which  they  were  repulsed  with  considerable 
loss.  After  the  first  repulse,  the  rebel  general  again  demanded  the 
surrender  of  the  fort,  troops, *and  public  stores,  promising  that,  if 
they  submitted,  the  troops  should  bo  treated  as  prisoners  of  war, 
but  if  c()m|)ollcd  to  storm  the  position  they  might  expect  no  quar- 
ter. tiolonel  Hicks  again  declined,  and  the  battle  continued. 

The  steamers  Peosta  and  Pawpaw,  light  iron-clads,  participated 
in  the  defense.  A large  portion  of  the  city  was  destroyed,  partly 
by  the  foe,  and  partly  by  the  Union  troops  who  were  compelled  to 
burn  a number  of  the  houses  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands 
of  rebel  sharp-shooters.  While  the  struggle  was  in  progress,  par- 
ties of  the  enemy  entered  the  town  and  carried  off  considerable 
plunder. 


Cane  Itiver,  La. 


383 


Earlj  in  the  evening,  the  foe  retired  from  the  town,  and  on  the 
following  morning  marched  in  the  direction  of  Columbus.  Their 
loss  was  stated  at  1,000  wounded  and  300  slain — the  latter  left  in 
front  of  the  fort. 


CANE  RIVEE,  LA. 

Mabcu  28,  18C4. 

Unionists,  under  General  A.  J.  Smith,  10,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  80. 
DUunionists,  under  General  Kick  Taylor,  12,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and  pris- 
oners, TOO. 

Cank  River,  thirty-live  miles  above  Alexandria,  is  one  of  the 
largest  tributaries  of  Red  River.  As  its'  name  implies,  its  banks 
are  lined  with  extensive  “ cane-brakes,”  which  in  some  places 
cover  many  thousand  acres,  and  furnish  pasturage  for  large  herds 
of  cattle. 

The  Unionists  under  General  Smith  broke  camp  at  an  early  hour 
on  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  March  ; and  at  sunrise  the  whole 
army  was  in  motion,  with  Mower’s  division  aud  Dudley’s  cavalry 
ill  advance.  The  roads  wmre  heavy  and  almost  impassable.  The 
men  were  oRen  compelled  to  ford  streams,  and  frequent  delays 
were  thus  incurred.  "When  the  force  had  been  cn  route"  for  an 
hour,  a half-dozen  shots,  so  far  distant  as  to  be  scarcely  distinguish- 
able, announced  the  enemy’s  presence  in  the  vicinity.  The  main 
body  of  the  army  was  pushed  forward  with  all  speed  ; but  on 
reaching  the  spot  where  it  looked  for  an  engagement,  the  rebel 
outposts  had  been  withdrawn  to  the  farther  side  of  the  river,  aud 
formed  into  a strong  skirmish  line  in  the  forest. 

The  advance  troops  of  Mower’s  division  were  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers ; and  moving  forward  through  mud  and  wmter  to  test  the 
strength  of  the  enemy,  became  engaged  in  a few  minutes.  The  fir- 
ing, from  the  outset,  was  quite  rapid — so  rapid,  indeed,  that  Gene- 
ral Mower  saw  fit  to  forward  heavy  reinforcements  to  the  skirmish- 
ing line.  Upon  their  arrival  the  firing  was  of  course  redoubled. 
Affairs  remained  in  this  situation  about  twenty  minutes,  when  it 
became  evident  that  the  enemy  were  giving  way.  Prisoners,  singly 
and  in  squads,  emerged  from  the  woods  in  which  the  engagement 
was  going  on,  and  were  conducted  to  the  rear;  while  at  the  same 
time  the  firing  of  sinall-arms  from  the  Union  lino  increased  or 
diminished  at  different  points,  as  they  contended  with  rallied 
squads  of  rebels,  or  forced  them  to  retre.at  out  of  range.  The  foe 


384 


Cane  Hiver,  La. 


yielded  ground  stubbornly,  and  fired  sometimes  in  solid  volleys,  and 
anon  in  irregular  discharges,  all  the  time  availing  himself  of  the 
protection  of  standing  timber  and  fallen  trees. 

As  the  Union  troops  approached  the  farther  edge  of  the  ■woods, 
the  enemy  was  discovered  a few  hundred  yards  otf  in  their  imme- 
diate front,  and  apparently  concentrating  to  make  an  onset,  or  to 
repel  an  assault.  Both  wings  were  partially  screened  by  woods  and 
uneven  ground ; while  the  center  was  in  some  measure  protected  by 
shallow  ravines  and  sloughs.  The  rebel  line  of  skirtnishers  suddenly 
withdrew  with  some  precipitancy  across  the  field  in  front,  while 
the  Union  troops  pushed  boldly  after  them,  until  within  good  range 
of  the  main  line,  upon  which  they  at  once  opened  an  accurate  fire. 
The  fight  had  now  continued  two  hours,  during  which  time  Gen- 
eral Smith  had  learned  enough  of  the  enemy’s  position  to  enable 
him  to  make  proper  dispositions  for  a general  attack.  For  this 
purpose.  General  Mower’s  division  was  ordered  to  advance,  and  en- 
gage the  enemy  in  front ; while  Dudley’s  brigade  of  cavalry  should 
assail  the  left  flank. 

At  the  same  time,  two  batteries  were  pushed  forward,  so  as  to 
cover  the  movements.  The  advance  was  slow,  until  they  came  in 
sight  of  the  foe  waiting  to  receive  them.  They  then  pressed  for- 
ward with  loud  cheers,  regardless  alike  of  obstructions  and  of  fly- 
ing bullets.  Simultaneously  with  this,  the  two  batteries  were 
wheeled  into  position,  and  opened  a telling  fire  of  grape  and  heavy 
shot.  The  rebels  soon  wavered,  and  in  ten  minutes  their  entire 
force  was  in  full  retreat.  It  seemed  almost  certain  that  they  would 
get  away  before  Dudley’s  cavalry  could  reach  their  flank.  The  in- 
fantry were  unable  to  make  an  efiective  pursuit,  and  the  further 
rout  of  the  flying  foe  depended  on  the  force  under  that  oflicer.  lie 
came  in  sight  of  the  retreating  column  just  as  it  was  crossing  an 
extensive  plantation  in  rear  of  the  battle  field.  The  greater  part 
of  the  rebel  army  had  already  passed,  and  there  was  no  time  to  be 
lost.  Throwing  his  men  forward  in  line,  he  ordered  them  to  cliargc ; 
and  they  advanced  first  at  a trot,  then  at  a gallop,  and  finally  at 
full  speed.  The  unexpected  appearance  of  this  formidable  force 
completely  disconcerted  the  enemy. 

At  first  they  halted,  and  made  some  movements  toward  forming  a 
lino  of  battle ; but  these  movements  turned  into  wild  confusion  as 
the  cavalry  pushed  forward  with  accelerated  speed.  In  a few  min- 
utes the  ground  trembled  under  the  tread  of  a thousand  war  -horses, 
the  air  resounded  with  the  commingled  sounds  of  bugle  blasts,  the 


385 


Sabine  Cross  Hoads,  Mansfield,  La. 

shouts  oQhe  horsemen,  and  tlie  rattling  of  their  sabers.  The  rebels 
^ broke  anu  fled  in  all  directions,  like  leaves  before  the  wind — some 
following  up  the  main  body,  a few  going  back  toward  the  Union 
army,  while  others  crouched  behind  stumps  and  whatever  promised 
to  save  them  from  the  living  avalanche.  The  charge  struck  the 
rebel  column  just  in  advance  of  the  rear,  cutting  it  in  two,  leaving 
300  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  Unionists  and  scattering  thrice  as 
many  more.  Thus  closed  the  contest.  The  bad  roads,  the  rough 
nature  of  the  country,  and  the  waning  day  made  it  necessary  to 
defer  a general  pursuit. 

The  Federal  force  lost  eighty  pien.  The  rebel  loss,  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners,  was  about  700. 


SABINE  CROSS  ROADS,  MANSFIELD,  LA. 

April  8,  1864. 

Vnioni/iU.  wider  General  Sanhs,  about  14,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  about  500; 
prisoners,  1,500.  *■ 

Disunioniete,  under  General  Kirby  Smith,  20,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and  mist- 
ing, 1,500. 

The  Union  army  under  General  Banks,  having  advanced  as  far  as 
Natchitoches,  broke  camp  at  this  point  on  the  morning  of  April 
6th,  and  moved  out  on  the  Shreveport  road,  leading  northwesterly 
along  the  line  of  Red  River.  The  cavalry  advanced  twenty-one 
miles,  as  far  as  Crump’s  Ilill,  where  they  rested  for  the  night,  the 
infantry  halting  three  or  four  miles  in  the  rear.  On  the  following 
morning  the  cavalry  again  set  out,  and  soon  came  upon  a body  of 
mounted  rebels.  Fighting  began  at  once ; and  the  enemy  were 
rapidly  driven  back  about  fourteen  miles,  or  nearly  to  Pleasant 
Hill — a small  village  situated  on  a slight  rising  ground  whence  it 
derives  its  name. 

A little  before  reaching  the  village,  a force  of  2,500  cavalry  was 
met,  drawn  up  along  the  edge  of  a dense  strip  of  woods  with  an 
open  field  in  front.  They  were  immediately  attacked  by  a brigade 
of  Union  cavalry,  and  with  such  vigor  and  determination  that  after 
an  engagement  of  two  hours  and  a half  they  were  completely 
whipped  and  driven  from  the  field.  The  retreating  rebels  were 
pursued  as  far  as  Bayou  de  Paul ; where,  it  being  apparent  that 
they  had  received  heavy  reinforcements,  and  night  coming  on,  they 
were  left  without  further  molestation. 


33G  Sabine  Cross  lioads^  3Ia?isJleld,  La. 

During  the  night  a brigade  of  Union  infantry  came  up,  and  early 
in  the  morning  of  the  following  day  (Friday  the  8th)  t^e  march 
was  resumed.  The  rebels  were  found  on  the  alert,  and  fighting  * 
commenced  almost  at  once.  The  skirmishing  was  fierce,  and  every 
foot  of  ground  was  resolutely  contested;  but  by  two  o’clock  in  the 
afternoon  the  foe  had  been  driven  back  seven  miles.  The  losses 
during  this  time  were  very  severe  on  both  sides. 

The  enemy  were  now  met  in  large  force,  under  command  of 
General  Kirby  Smith.  Tbeir  numbers  were  subsequently  reported 
by  prisoners  at  from  18,000  to  22,000;  while  the  Union  force  con- 
fronting them  was  comparatively  a mere  handful.  The  rebels 
occupied  a strong  position  in  the  vicinity  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads, 
concealed  in  the  edge  of  a thick  wood,  with  a broad  opening  in 
front.  General  Ransom,  at  this  juncture,  arriving  on  the  field  with 
his  command,  deployed  the  Union  forces  in  line  as  well  as  circum- 
stances would  admit,  after  reconnoitering  and  feeling  the  rebel 
position.  By  the  time  the  disposal  of  the  troops  was  completed, 
General  Banks  and  staff  rode  up  and  immediately  made  prepara- 
tions for  the  anticipated  battle.  It  was  the  wish  of  General  Banks 
to  remain  quiet  till  the  rest  of  his  army  arrived ; but  the  rebel 
general,  conscious  of  his  present  superiority  in  numbers,  began  an 
early  conflict. 

About  four  o’clock,  the  firing  between  the  skirmishers  became 
very  hot;  and  in  a short  time  the  Union  advance  was  forced  back 
upon  the  main  body,  by  an  overwhelming  force.  The  whole 
strength  of  the  enemy  was  then  pushed  forward,  and  heavy  and 
repeated  volleys  were  discharged  and  replied  to.  The  rebels  fought 
desperately  for  several  hours,  driving  back  their  opponents  with 
great  loss,  and  flanking  both  wings  of  the  Federal  army ; until  a 
retreat  was  inevitable,  if  the  assault  on  the  right  and  front  was 
continued. 

The  Union  artillery,  consisting  of  four  batteries  and  two  mount- 
ain-howitzers, poured  a terrible  fire  into  the  enemy’s  ranks ; but, 
notwithstanding  this,  they  continued  to  advance  boldly,  evincing  a 
determination  to  conquer  or  perish  in  the  attempt.  After  they  had 
inflicted  the  most  desperate  losses  upon  the  gallant  little  band 
which  so  nobly  opposed  them,  a retreat  of  the  latter  was  ordered  ; 
and  while  they  were  attempting  escape,  a disaster  not  less  disgrace- 
ful than  unfortunate  befell  them.  A portion  of  their  cavalry  force 
behaved  with  the  utmost  cowardice,  dashing  oflf  in  all  directions 
and  in  the  wildest  manner,  breaking  through  the  infantry  lines, 


Sabine  Cross  Jloads,  Mansfield^  La.  387 

running  over  all  in  their  route,  and  creating  a general  panic.  All 
attempts  to  check  the  frightened  fugitives  who  were  the  cause  of 
the  disorder,  or  to  rally  the  less  demoralized  troops,  proved  futile ; 
and  then  began  such  a scene  as  is  scarcely  paralleled  during  the 
war,  except  by  the  famous  stampede  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Bun. 

The  enemy  were  not  slow  to  perceive  their  advantage,  and  cap- 
tured three  whole  batteries  and  a portion  of  a fourth  (amounting 
to  eighteen  guns),  together  with  about  130  wagons — the  entire 
transportation  of  General  Lee’s  brigade.  The  loss  of  the  artillery 
was  mainly  duo  to  the  obstruction  of  the  road  by  the  cumbersome 
train  laden  with  superfluous  luxuries  which  was  unwisely  permit- 
ted to  follow  close  on  the  rear  of  this  small  advance  force.  The 
Federal  troops  were  driven  ten  miles  back  toward  Pleasant  Hill, 
where  the  nineteenth  army  corps,  which  had  been  sent  for  to  render 
assistance,  was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  Witnessing  the  uncon- 
trollable stampede  of  the  cavalry,  the  leader  of  the  nineteenth 
wisely  opened  his  line  in  the  center,  and  permitted  the  demoralized 
cavalrymen  to  pass  through  and  form  in  the  rear.  The  rebels,  pre- 
suming they  had  repulsed  the  whole  Federal  army,  dashed  impetu- 
ously on,  and  thought  the  line  but  half  visible  in  the  woods  before 
them  was  another  feeble  but  desperate  stand  of  a few  men. 

The  national  troops  were  ordered  to  reserve  their  fire  till  the 
rebels  were  within  short  range.  At  the  critical  moment,  both  in- 
fantry and  artillery,  the  latter  posted  thickly  along  the  line,  opened 
upon  the  advancing  foe,  with  a storm  of  iron  and  lead  that  literally 
mowed  them  down.  The  rebels  halted  in  amazement,  but  still 
fought  bravely.  Volley  after  volley  was  discharged  from  each  side, 
but  neither  gave  signs  of  yielding ; and  night  at  length  charitably 
threw  her  mantle  over  the  scene  and  enforced  a cessation  of 
of  hostilities. 

The  losses  of  the  Unionists,  in  men,  during  this  ill-ventured  and 
bloody  struggle,  were  about  600  killed  and  wounded  and  1,600 
missing,  the  latter  mostly  taken  prisoners  during  the  disgraceful 
flight.  The  rebel  losses  in  killed  and  wounded  were  probably 
greater,  but  in  prisoners  much  less.  Among  their  slain  was  Gene- 
ral Mouton,  who  fell  pierced  through  the  body  with  four  balls. 

The  Federal  leader  or  leaders  who  were  responsible  for  this  bat- 
tle were  severely  censured  for  the  folly  of  placing  a cavalry  brigade, 
with  its  long  baggage  train,  so  far  in  advance  of  the  main  army, 
and  with  only  a small  infantry  force  in  supporting  distance.  The 
reverse,  thus  occasioned — as  will  be  seen  hereafter — probably 


388 


Pleasant  Hill,  La. 


caused  tlie  failure  of  a highly  important  campaign  and  the  fruitless 
sacrifice  of  several  thousand  lives  and  millions  of  treasure. 


PLEASANT  HILL,  LA. 

Apeil  9.  1864. 

Unionists,  under  General  Banks,  ahout  28,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and  missing, 
1,500. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Kirliy  Smith,  about  20,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and 
7nissing,  2,000. 

AiioDT  sundown  on  the  day  of  General  Banks’  reverse  at  Sabine 
Cross  Roads,  General  Smith’s  forces,  having  been  delayed  five 
hours  in  their  march,  by  a long  cavalry  wagon  train  transporting 
superfluous  baggage  for  the  troops  that  had  preceded  them,  reached 
Pleasant  Hill.  It  was  only  througli  the  greatest  personal  efforts  of 
their  leader  that  they  had  been  hurried  through  the  thick  pine- 
country,  while  the  narrow  road  before  them  was  completely 
blockaded. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  heavy  cannonading  had  been  heard  in  the 
distance  ; and  shortly  after,  one  of  General  Banks’  staff  had  report- 
ed to  General  Smith  the  necessity  for  reinforcements.  General 
Smith  had  sent  back  word  that,  notwithstanding  the  hindrances 
he  had  met,  he  would  have  his  command  at  Pleasant  Bill  by  night- 
fall. True  to  his  word,  he  was  on  the  ground  at  the  appointed 
time;  and  here  his  troops  encamped  and  sought  a much  needed 
repose. 

Soon  after,  a horseman  dashed  up  to  headquarters,  with  doleful 
tidings  of  the  reverse  tliat  had  just  occurred.  So  unexpected  was 
the  intelligence  that  he  came  near  being  placed  under  arrest  for 
misrepresentation.  But  an  hour  later,  the  report  was  confirmed, 
and  orders  were  at  once  issued  for  the  troops  to  be  in  marching 
order  before  daylight.  The  necessity  for  a forward  movement, 
however,  was  saved.  General  Banks  having  determined  to  with- 
draw his  advance  forces  to  Pleasant  Hill,  for  the  sake  of  the  advan- 
tageous position  it  afforded — well  knowing  that  the  enemy  would 
follow  what  they  supposed  to  be  a demoralized  army.  The  with- 
drawal was  effected  during  the  night;  and  so  well  was  it  conducted 
that,  altliough  the  first  body  of  troops  started  at  ten  o’clock  and 
the  remainder  were  not  all  under  way  till  nearly  day,  the  rebels 
had  not  the  slightest  suspicion  of  the  movement. 

Accordingly,  at  seven  o’clock  on  Saturday  morning,  the  entire 


389 


Pleasant  Jlill,  La. 

Union  strength  was  combined  at  Pleasant  Hill;  and  the  rebels 
were  advancing,  cavalry  in  front,  endeavoring  to  discover  the  posi- 
tion of  their  opponents.  Colonel  Cfooding  commanding  a brigade 
of  Uiiion  cavalry,  was  now  ordered  to  move  out  as  far  as  i)rudent 
from  Pleasant  Hill,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  in  stragglers,  and 
at  the  same  time  Jiscertainiug  somewhat  of  the  whereabout  of  the 
enemy. 

He  had  advanced  not  more  than  a mile  and  a half  when  ho  came 
upon  a large  body  of  rebel  cavalry  who  were  within  close  support 
of  solid  phalanxes  of  infantry,  the  bayonets  of  which  gleamed 
through  the  dense  woods  wherever  the  sunbeams  penetrated.  Ac- 
cording  to  his  instructions,  he  commenced  falling  back  slowly  and 
in  good  order,  at  the  same  time  replying  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 
'While  thus  retreating,  he  lost  about  thirty  men  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing;  and  himself  narrowly  escaped  death  from  a Miiiio 
ball  which  grazed  his  scalp. 

During  this  interval.  General  Banks  had  evidently  decided  upon 
a further  retreat ; although  he  still  purposed  to  give  the  enemy  at 
this  point  a decisive  check.  A portion  of  the  troops,  however, 
were  at  once  ordered  to  fall  back  to  Grand  Ecoi'e,  thirty-five  miles 
distant,  and  hundreds  of  wagons  were  likewise  sent  to  the  rear. 
The  reason  assigned  for  this  retrograde  movement  was  the  lack  of 
subsistence  for  both  men  and  horses ; but  with  many  of  the  army 
the  announcement  of  an  intended  retreat  was  received  with  strong 
expressions  of  disfavor. 

The  weather  at  this  time  was  most  unpropitious  for  a fair  fight. 
The  air  was  cold  and  chilling ; the  wind  howled  piteously  through 
the  trees,  fanning  the  long  pendents  of  gray  funereal-like  moss  which 
decked  the  tops  of  the  tall  waving  cypress  and  pines ; and  the  sky 
was  shrouded  with  foreboding  clouds:  while  dense  volumes  of  smoke 
partially  concealed  the  long  pontoon  trains  as  they  rumbled  heavily 
toward  the  rear.  At  half-past  four  in  the  afternoon,  the  rebel  cav- 
alry advanced  toward  the  right  and  center,  yelling  in  the  most 
fiendish  manner,  and  at  the  same  time  brandishing  their  horrid 
sabers.  On  they  came  at  a slow  trot,  and  in  good  order.  As  they 
neared  the  Union  front,  they  gradually  quickened  their  pace  ; while 
close  in  their  rear  came  three  solid  battle  lines,  shouting  an  inde- 
scribable war-cry  which  caused  the  nerves  of  the  timid  to  vibrato 
with  fear,  and  reminded  one  of  the  ferocity  of  savages.  Suddenly 
from  out  the  woods  in  their  rear,  their  artillery  opened,  and  then 
in  answer  there  burst  forth  from  the  crouching  rauks  of  7,000  loyal 

19 


I 


300 


Fort  Pillow. 


men,  a fearful  roll  of  musketry  opening  wide  gaps  in  the  rebel  lines. 
But  these  gaps  were  as  speedily  closed,  and  the  enraged  foe,  with  a 
sudden  dash,  threw  his  jjowerful  force  against  the  opposing  front ; 
and  for  a moment  the  whole  Union  line  appeared  to  waver  as  if  on 
tlie  point  of  yielding  in  precipitate  rout.  The  suspense  of  the  mo- 
ment was  terrible ; for  it  seemed  to  portend  utter  defeat.  In 
another  instant  the  Federal  artillery  opened  like  a volcanic  out- 
break, scattering  grape  and  canister  in  overwhelming  quantity 
through  the  hostile  ranks,  literally  mowing  them  down  as  with  an 
enormous  scythe.  No  time  was  given  them  to  recover  their  order ; 
but  amid  deafening  cheers  and  proudly  waving  banners  the  Union 
forces  immediately  charged,  pressing  down  upon  the  rebel  rear,'^-f 
and  entering  the  conflict  at  the  double-quick. 

It  was  now  five  o’clock,  and  the  battle  was  at  its  height.  Yet 
it  raged  with  unabated  fury,  and  the  long  and  deadly  roll  of  mus- 
ketry continued,  until  night  spread  her  sable  mantle  over  the 
bloody  picture.  At  sunset,  the  scene  at  Pleasant  Hill  was  one  of 
the  most  impressive  grandeur.  The  sun  shone  directly  in  the 
faces  of  the  Union  troops,  and  the  wind  blew  back  the  smoke  in 
their  midst ; so  at  times  they  could  scarcely  distinguish  the  foe. 
Yet  suddenly  the  whole  front  seemed  to  gather  strength,  and  dash- 
ing forward  they  swept  the  rebels  before  them  like  chaff. 

As  the  dusk  of  evening  became  more  and  more  intense,  and  the 
last  glimmerings  of  day  were  rapidly  fading,  the  enemy  struggled 
fiercely  for  the  battle-field.  A tremendous  roar  of  musketry  burst 
forth  from  their  staggering  lines,  and  was  responded  to  by  several 
terrific  volleys  from  the  Union  side.  Then  followed  the  dead,  quiet 
calm  of  night,  broken  only  by  the  plaintive  moans  of  the  wounded 
and  dying.  The  enemy  retreated  rapidly.  General  Mower  having 
pushed  out  about  four  miles  from  Pleasant  Ilill  without  overtaking 
them.  The  losses  in  this  battle,  on  the  Union  side,  were  about 
1,600;  on  the  rebel  side,  about  2,000. 


FOET  PILLOW. 

Apeil  12,  1864. 

Vnioni8ts.t  under  Majors  Booth  and  Bradford^  700.  Killedy  600 ; wounded,  100. 
Di^nionists,  under  General  Forrest,  6,000.  Losses  not  reported, 

Tuesday  morning,  April  12th,  about  sunrise.  General  Forrest 
with  6,000  rebel  cavalry  appeared  before  Fort  Pillow  and  immedi- 
ately began  an  assault.  The  fortress  was  garrisoned  by  700  men. 


I'hrt  Pillow. 


391 


400  being  of  a negro  artillery  regiment,  all  niulcr  command  of  Major 
Booth.  At  eight  o’clock  a.m.  the  rebels  sent  in  a flag  of  truce, 
demanding  an  unconditional  surrender  of  the  fort.  Mgjor  Booth 
being  severely  wounded,  tlio  command  had  devolved  upon  Major 
Bradford,  who  responded  that  if  the  colored  troops  fighting  with 
him  would  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war,  he  would  surrender,  and 
on  no  other  terms.  The  enemy  refused  to  listen,  having  sworn  to 
kill  every  negro  and  every  white  man  commanding  them. 

The  fighting  was  again  renewed ; and  between  that  time  and 
four  p.M.  the  garrison  gallantly  repelled  three  desperate  charges. 
They  fought  valiantly,  both  white  and  black;  but  the  heavy  woods 
back  of  the  fort  afforded  the  rebels  considerable  protection.  Gun- 
boat Number  Seven  joined  in  the  fight  as  long  as  her  ammunition 
lasted,  and  rendered  efficient  service. 

The  enemy  again  sent  in  a flag  of  truce ; and  while  the  Unionists 
suspended  fire,  in  respect  to  the  flag,  they  surrounded  Fort  Pillow 
on  all  sides ; and  as  soon  as  the  flag  withdrew,  made  a desperate 
charge  in  every  direction  and  succeeded  in  getting  inside  the  earth- 
works. Then  followed  scenes  which  disgrace  the  soldier,  and  are 
only  equaled  by  the  brutal  atrocity  of  the  savage.  Up  to  the  time 
of  the  surrender  the  garrison  had  lost  only  fifty  men.  The  heroic 
soldiers  had  contended  again.st  fearful  odds,  till  seeing  that  further 
resistance  would  be  useless,  they  threw  down  their  arms  and  sued 
for  quarter.  But  they  plead  in  vain ! 

Like  infuriated  demons,  the  rebels  commenced  an  indiscriminate 
slaughter,  sparing  neither  age  nor  sex,  white  nor  black,  soldier  nor 
civilian.  The  officers  and  men  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in 
fiendish  malignity.  Men,  women,  and  children  were  deliberately 
shot  down,  or  beaten  and  hacked  with  the  merciless  sabers.  Some 
of  the  children  not  more  than  ten  years  old  were  made  to  stand 
up  and  face  the  murderous  fire.  The  sick  and  wounded  were 
slaughtered  without  compassion  ; the  rebels  even  entered  the  hos- 
pital, and  dragged  out  the  inmates  to  be  shot,  or  murdered  them 
as  they  lay  unable  to  offer  resistance.  All  over  the  hillside  the 
work  of  death  was  going  on.  Some  were  shot  in  the  river,  who 
had  rushed  thither  in  their  frantic  efforts  to  save  themselves ; others 
were  killed  on  the  banks  and  thrown  into  the  water,  still  living, 
though  unable  to  save  themselves  from  drowning.  All  who  asked 
for  mercy  were  answered  with  the  most  cruel  taunts  and  jeers. 
Some  were  spared  for  a time,  only  to  devise  for  them  more  excru- 
ciating tortures.  One  white  soldier  who  was  wounded  in  the  leg 


392 


Plymouth,  2^.  G. 


was  compelled  to  stand  up  while  Ida  tormentors  shot  liim.  Others 
wlio  wore  wounded  and  unable  to  stand  were  held  up  to  face  the 
murderous  fire.  The  huts  and  tenta  which  afforded  shelter  to  the 
disabled  were  fired,  and  those  who  could  not  escape,  perished  in 
the  flames.  These  deeds  of  atrocious  cruelty  closed  at  night  only 
to  be  renewed  the  following  morning ; when  the  savage  monsters 
carefully  sought  among  the  dead  for  any  that  might  yet  survive, 
and  those  that  were  found  they  deliberately  murdered.  Scores  of 
the  dead  and  wounded  were  found  the  day  of  the  massacre  by  men 
from  the  Union  gun-boats  who  were  allowed  to  go  on  shore  to  collect 
the  wounded  and  bury  the  dead.  The  enemy  themselves  had  made 
n pretense  of  burying  nnany  of  their  victims ; but  they  had  merely 
thrown  them  into  the  ditches  and  trenches  about  the  fort,  covering 
them  partially  with  earth.  Heads,  hands,  and  feet  protruded  from 
the  ground  and  the  earth  was  red  with  the  blood  of  the  massacred. 
It  was  reported  that  several  wounded  negroes  were  buried  alive, 
some  esca[)ing  to  the  Union  lines  with  their  story. 

Many  other  instances  of  e(|ually  brutal  cruelty  might  be  cited ; 
but  the  heart  sickens  while  dc[)icting  such  revolting  scenes.  For 
savage  inhumanity  and  barbarous  atrocity,  Fort  Pillow  surpasses 
any  event  of  the  war;  it  finds  no  parallel  in  civilized  warfare,  and 
needed  but  the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife  to  exceed  the  most 
fiendish  barbarities  of  the  uncivilized.  Only  forty  survived,  of  the 
brave  700,  to  tell  the  fearful  story.  The  blood  of  COO  murdered 
men  and  100  maimed  cried  for  vengeance. 


PLYMOUTH,  N.  C. 

Apbil  17  TO  20,  1864. 

Vnimists,  under  General  Weasela,  2,000.  Killed,  150 ; wcninded,  not  reported  ; 
priaonera,  1,700. 

IHannivniata,  under  General  IToke,  10,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  1,500. 

On  Saturday  evening,  April  17th,  the  rebels  attacked  FortGr.ay, 
on  the  Roanoke,  two  miles  above  the  town,  with  six  pieces  of  field 
artillery.  They  were  speedily  repulsed,  having  inflicted  but  little 
damage  except  sinking  a gun-boat  by  firing  into  her.  She  dropjied 
down  and  sunk  opposite  Plymouth,  severely  injured.  On  Monday 
they  fired  occasionally  all  day  at  Fort  Wessels;  and  took  it  by  assault 
on  Monday  night,  with  a loss  of  sixty  killed.  The  Union  soldiers 
fought  with  the  desperation  of  madmen.  This  little  fort  is  a 


393 


r 


Cane  Hiver,  La. 


inile  distant  from  the  town,  and  contained  sixty  men  and  four  tliirty- 
tvvo  pounders. 

On  Monday,  at  dusk,  they  drove  in  the  Union  jjickets  in  front  of 
Fort  Williams;  and  at  dark  opened,  and  continued  for  two  hours, 
a fierce  fire  upon  this  fort,  in  which  General  AVessels  had  his  head- 
quarters during  the  siege.  Fort  Williams  returned  the  fire  with 
® great  slaughter.  Soon  after  dark  a gun-bo.at  joined  in  the  fight, 
and  hurled  upon  the  enemy  a galling  fire.  The  cannonading  now 
became  surpassingly  grand  and  terrific.  A single  shell  from  the  gun- 
boat, it  was  said,  killed  three  and  wounded  nineteen  rebels.  At 
nine  o’clock  the  firing  died  away  ; .and  the  foe  retired  to  the  woods 
in  front  of  the  fort. 

About  four  o’clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  a rebel  ram,  with  two 
guns,  came  down  and  8we[)t  out  all  the  Union  gun-boats  on  which 
they  had  depended  so  much  to  jirotect  the  left  and  lower  pkrt  of 
the  town.  Throughout  the  day,  the  ram  lay  some  two  miles  below 
Plymouth  and  kept  up  firing,  but  with  little  execution  save  perfo- 
rating the  houses. 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  the  rebels  with  five  brigades  (a 
part  of  Stonewall  Jackson’s  division),  commanded  by  General  Ran- 
som, made  assault  after  assault  upon  Oornfer  redoubt,  on  the  left, 
in  which  were  about  200  men  and  four  thirty-two  pounders. 
With  such  an  overwhelming  force,  they  succeeded,  with  the  loss  of 
scores  of  killed,  in  ca|)turing  the  little  fort.  Soon  after  their  en- 
trance into  town,  300  of  the  garrison  wero  taken  jirisoners  and 
marched  nearly  two  miles  below  town,  leaving  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
still  floating  over  Fort  AVilliams,  with  the  brave  commander,  his 
stafiT,  and  some  200  men  still  holding  out,  and  refusing  to  surrender, 
till  ten  p.M.  of  Wednesday. 

The  rebel  force  engaged  was  estimated  at  10,000,  with  a reserve 
of  4,000  or  0,000.  Their  killed  and  wounded  was  about  1,500. 
They  captured  1,700,  and  shot  many  blacks  after  the  fight  was  over. 


CANE  RIVER,  LA. 

Aphil  23,  18G4. 

Uiiionisi/i.  under  General  Franklin.  21,000.  Killed  and  fcounded.  from  800 
to  400. 

Dieunioniets.  under  General  Dick  Taylor,  Killed  and  wounded,  from  800 
■ to  400. 

On  Thursday,  the  21st  of  April,  the  army  of  Geuenal  Banks,  in- 
cluding the  forces  of  General  A.  J.  Smith,  left  Grand  Ecore,  whence 


1 


994 


Albemarle  Sound,  N.  C. 


they  had  withdrawn  after  the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill.  At  the  former 
jdace,  General  Hanks  had  turned  over  the  coinnmnd  to  General 
Pranklin,  who  now  conducted  the  retreat. 

On  arriving  at  a point  near  Cano  River,  where  it  was  intended 
to  cross,  the  enemy  under  Dick  Taylor  were  found  posted  upon  a 
high  eminence  on  the  opposite  side,  in  readiness  to  dispute  the  pas- 
sage. An  artillery  engagement  immediately  begun,  lasting  about 
twenty-four  hours,  or  from  Saturday  morning  till  Sunday  morning. 
Meanwhile,  General  Franklin  had  sent  two  brigades  of  infantry  to 
a ford  a few  miles  up  Cane  River,  where  they  effected  a crossing 
unmolested.  Coming  down  on  |be  opposite  side,  they  opened  an 
unexpected  fire  upon  the  rebels  on  the  hill ; and  a spirited  fight  at 
once  ensued,  lasting  two  or  three  hours. 

The  Union  brigades,  pushing  boldly  forward,  carried  tbe  hill  by 
a vigorous  assault ; and  having  thus  gained  command  of  the  river 
and  driven  the  foe  from  the  vicinity,  secured  a crossing  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  Federal  army.  During  this  sharp  engagement  the 
losses  on  each  side  were  from  300  to  400  killed  and  wounded. 


ALBEMARLE  SOUND,  N.  C. 

Mat  5,  1864. 

Vnionnaval  forcBy  comprUing  the  wooden  gun-hoats  Mattahesety  SassacuSy  Wij-> 
alusingy  Mliiteheady  Co7nmodar6  llully  and  Ceres^  Killed^  8;  wounded^  2C; 
tiho  several  hadly  mudded. 

naval  force^  coni'prining  the  iron-clad  rain  Albemarle  and  the  gun- 
boats  Colion  Plant  and  Bombshell.  Killed  and  wonndedy  unknown ; pris- 
onerSy  34. 

On  the  afternoon  of  May  5th  three  side-wheel  gun-boats,  the 
Mattabeset,  Sassacus,  and  AVyalusing,  were  lying  at  anchor  in  Al- 
bemarle Sound,  twenty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Roanoke 
River.  They  had  been  commissioned  to  encounter,  and  if  possible 
destroy  the  Albemarle,  a rebel  iron-clad  ram,  whose  recent  raid  in 
conjunction  with  the  attack  on  and  capture  of  Plymouth,  rendered 
the  continued  occupation  of  the  sound  somewhat  problematical,  and 
invested  the  approaching  contest  with  unusual  importance. 

An  advance  guard  of  picket  boats,  comprising  four  or  five  of  the 
smaller  vessels  of  the  Union  lleet,  with  the  Miami,  had  been  sent 
forward  to  the  mouth  of  the  Roanoke,  to  decoy  the  rebel  ram  from 
under  the  protecting  batteries  of  Plymouth  into  the  open  waters 
of  the  sound.  Falling  back  before  the  Albemarle,  they  quickly 
drew  her  into  a favorable  position  for  attack. 


395 


Albemarle  /Sound,  If.  C. 

Soon  after  three  o’clock  the  Mattabeset  signaled  “ to  get  under 
way and  forming  in  line,  one  after  the  other,  in  the  order  in 
which  their  names  have  been  mentioned,  the  three  vessels  proceeded 
at  ordinary  speed  up  the  sound.  At  four  p.m.  the  Mattabeset  com- 
municated with  the  army-transport  Massasoit  coming  down,  and 
immediately  signaled  that  the  ram  was  in  open  water.  Tlie  picket 
boats  wore  now  discovered  slowly  retiring  before  the  advancing 
foe.  A moment  later,  a glistening  speck  was  discovered  on  the 
water  beyond  the  reuring  vessels,  with  two  other  dark  hulls  hover- 
ing near,  which  were  recognized  as  the  ram  and  her  consorts.  The 
Union  gun-boats  were  immediately  cleared  for  action  and  every 
preparation  made  for  a determined  and  desperate  struggle.  They 
then  drove  along  under  full  steam,  and  closed  rapidly  with  the 
enemy. 

The  day  was  surpassingly  beautiful ; not  a ripple  disturbed  the 
glassy  sheet  of  water  from  shore  to  shore,  and  the  dazzling  sun- 
light gleamed  upon  the  inclined  sides  of  the  iron-clad  as  she  lay, 
flaunting  defiantly  a magnificently  large  and  gaudy  ensign  of  the 
Confederacy.  On  their  approach,  the  rebels  communicated  hur- 
riedly by  boats,  and  soon  the  white  stern-wheel  steamer  turned 
short  around  and  put  back  hastily  toward  Plymouth.  This  steamer 
was  afterward  ascertained  to  be  the  Cotton  Plant,  manned  by  two 
hundred  sharp-shooters  and  boarders.  As  she  left,  the  other 
steamer,  the  Bombshell,  closed  up  on  the  ram’s  quarters,  in  position 
for  the  impending  action.  The  entire  scene  was  impressive  and 
beautiful. 

The  Union  vessels  swept  gracefully  along ; and  as  the  leader  ap- 
proached the  enemy,  she  hauled  up  for  the  ram,  followed  by  the 
others  in  line;  when  the  Miami,  some  distance  astern,  fired  over, 
making  a very  good  but  useless  shot,  to  which  the  Albemarle 
quickly  responded.  When  abreast  of  the  ram,  the  Mattabeset 
delivered  her  broadside,  and  passing  round  the  stern,  ran  by  the 
Bombshell,  close  aboard,  while  the  latter  lay  on  the  post-quarter 
of  the  ram.  The  Sassacus  now  approached ; and  as  it  came  up, 
the  ram  having  failed  to  get  near  the  Mattabeset,  turned  her  bow 
for  the  former ; but  the  Sassacus,  measuring  the  distance,  sheered 
slightly  and  passed  about  150  yards  ahead  of  the  monster,  deliver- 
ing with  precision  a whole  broadside  of  solid  shot,  which  bounded 
from  the  iron  armor  of  the  foe  like  rubber  balls.  Sweeping  around 
the  stern  of  the  Albemarle,  she  then  poured  into  the  hull  of  the 
Bombshell  a full  broadside  which  brought  its  rebel  ensign  down 


39G 


Albemarle  Sound,  JV.  C. 


and  sent  the  wliite  flag  np.  Orders  were  given  for  the  vanquished 
steatner  to  drop  out  of  fire  and  anchor,  which  was  promptly  done  ; 
and  the  Sassacns  moved  on. 

Meantime  the  Mattabeset  had  again  passed  tlie  ram,  delivering  a 
well-directed  fire;  and  the  Wyalusing,  which  had  previously  passed, 
serving  its  guns  with  a skill  equal  to  that  of  its  consorts,  had  now 
come  up  astern  of  the  Sassacus,  diverting  the  attention  of  the  Albe- 
marle from  the  latter,  to  which  her  whole  side  presented  a fair 
mark.  The  ram  appeared  to  bo  steaming  slowly,  as  if  awaiting 
events,  hut  using  her  giin.s  ra[)i(lly  all  tho  time,  throwing  shot  and 
shell  with  s[)irit  and  determination.  Fortuno  seemed  most  propi- 
tious for  a bold  dash  on  its  exposed  flank ; and  the  intrepid  com- 
mander of  the  Sassacus,  having  determined  to  close  with  her,  seized 
the  opportunity  unhesitatingly.  Ordering  a given  signal — “four 
bells”  again  and  again  repeated — the  ship  headed  straiglit  for  the 
weakest  part  of  the  ram.  With  throttle  wide  open,  under  heavy 
])rcssure  of  steam,  the  Sassacus  dashed  furiously  upon  lier  grim 
adversary.  Having  attained  the  rate  of  nine  to  ten  knots,  she 
struck  tho  iron  monster  a fair  blow  without  glance  or  slide.  Sim- 
ultaneously the  ram  drove  a hundred-pounder  Brooks’ shot  through 
and  through  the  opposing  vessel.  But  tho  stem  of  the  latter  was 
forced  into  lier  side:  and  the  Sassacus,  keeping  np  its  headway, 
careened  the  Alabama  down,  and  pushed  her  forward  like  an  inert 
mass ; while,  in  ominous  silence,  its  gunners  trained  their  heavy 
ordnance  on  tho  astounded  foe.  Now,  however,  a black  muzzle 
protrudes  from  the  ram’s  open  j)ort,  and  the  loaders  of  the  Sassa- 
cus’ Parrott  rifle  stand  on  tho  slide  and  serve  the  gim  within  liftecn 
feet  of  the  yawning  cannon’s  mouth.  The  duel  of  ponderous  ord- 
nance which  followed  was  a magnificent  and  imposing  spectacle. 
Still  the  rebel  iron-clad  gave  way,  as  her  antagonist  pressed  her 
prow  deeper  and  deeper  into  lier  side. 

Tho  men  on  board  the  Sassacus  now  threw  hasty  and  anxious 
glances  toward  their  consorts.  Would  they  fly  to  their  assistanee? 
Would  they  seize  tho  golden  chance,  and  pushing  on  to  tho  mon- 
sters unguarded  side,  help  to  crush  her  out  of  sight  forever  ? Their 
comrades  dared  not  fire,  lest  their  shot  might  take  elfect  on  the  Sas- 
sacus instead  of  the  foe ; and  the  interval,  alas ! was  too  brief  to 
allow  of  their  overcoming  the  distance  which  intervened.  All  was 
hushed  throughout  the  fleet.  Not  a sound,  not  an  onward  move- 
ment! Meanwhile,  between  the  Sassacus  and  the  Albemarle,  it 
was  a grapple  for  life,  a silent  but  fearful  struggle  for  the  mastery, 


Albemarle  iSoujid,  iV.  C.  8&7 

relieved  only  by  the  sharp,  scattering  volleys  of  musketry,  the 
whizzing  of  bullets,  and  the  deep  muffled  explosions  of  hand-gre- 
nades, which  the  brave  fellow  in  the  foretop  of  the  Sassacus  flung 
into  the  enemy’s  hatch,  hurling  back  their  sharp-shooters  in  wild 
dismay.  But  a moment  later,  the  rifled  guns  on  the  hurricane 
deck  of  the  Union  craft  threw  shot  and  shell  into  the  ports  of  the 
Albemarle,  and  volley  after  volley  of  musketry  through  every  aper- 
ture in  her  iron  shield ; and  again  the  100-pounder  bow-gun  was 
training  for  a crushing  blow. 

Presently  a crashing  of  timbers  was  heard,  the  ram  was  swing- 
ing under  the  starboard  bow  of  her  antagonist;  and  now  the  ships 
quivered  with  the  shock,  as  their  ponderous  guns  thundered  at  each 
other  with  a simultaneous  roar.  Then  anotlier  sound,  more  ap{)al- 
ling  than  bursting  shells  or  belching  cannon,  salutes  the  ear — the 
fearful  noise  of  unloosed  ungovernable  steam  rushing  in  massive 
volumes,  seething  and  hissing  as  it  spreads,  till  both  combatants 
are  enveloped  in  a dense  suffocating  cloud  of  vapor.  The  boiler 
of  the  Sassacus  is  pierced  and  all  is  lost ! No,  not  lost  yet!  The 
sharp  false  stem  which  had  cut  deeply  into  the  side  of  the 
grim  tnonster  had  given  way,  and  the  two  vessels  swung  side  by 
side. 

Now  came  the  fierce  duel  for  life.  The  guns  were  served  and 
fined,  muzzle  to  muzzle.  A solid  shot  from  the  lOO-pounder  Par- 
rot struck  the  port-sill  of  the  Albemarle,  and  crumbling  into  frag- 
ments, one  piece  rebounded  to  the  deck  from  which  it  had  been 
fired,  while  the  rest  flew  madly  into  the  threatening  port-hole  and 
silenced  the  rebel  gun.  A nine-inch  solid  shot  and  a twenty-pounder 
shell  followed  through  the  same  opening,  in  rapid  succession,  ns  the 
ram  drifted  clear  of  its  adversary;  while  the  starboard  wheel  of 
the  lattermrushed  and  wrenched  its  iron  braces,  in  grinding  over 
her  quarter,  smashing  the  launches  she  was  towing  into  a shapeless 
mass,  and  grating  over  the  iron  plates  with  a dismal  sound.  Now 
the  Albemarle  passed  the  wheel  of  the  Sassacus,  and  the  crews 
which  manned  tlje  after-guns  of  the  latter,  watching  the  move- 
ment, again  drove  solid  shot  into  her  ports. 

All  this  cool  gunnery  and  sharp  artillery  practice  transpired 
while  the  ship  was  shrouded  in  a dense  cloud  of  fiery  steam.  The 
situation  was  appalling:  the  shrieks  of  the  scalded  as  they  rushed 
up  frantically  from  below,  with  their  shriveled  flesh  hanging  in 
shreds  upon  their  tortured  limbs ; the  engine  surging  and  revolv- 
ing without  check,  abandoned  by  all  save  one — who,  scalded, 


■398 


Albemarle  Sound,  JV.  O. 

blackened,  sightless,  still  stood  like  a glorious  hero  at  bis  post. 
Alone,  amid  tlie  mass  of  escaping  steam  and  unguided  machinery, 
the  heroic  engineer  of  the  Sassacus  remained,  calling  loudly  to  bis 
men  to  return  with  him  to  the  fire-room  and  quench  the  fires  be- 
neath the  uninjured  boiler,  which  was  in  imminent  danger  of  ex- 
ploding. The  daring  work  was  done,  and  t\/o  hundred  lives  were 
thus  rescued  from  destruction. 

All  this  time,  the  accompanying  vessels  looked  on  with  fearful 
anxiety  ; they  could  only  discern  a thick  white  cloud  lighted  up 
incessantly  by  the  flashes  of  the  rapidly  discharged  guns,  as  the 
gallant  Sassacus  rose  gloriously  above  the  storm  of  disa.ster  that 
surrounded  her,  and  challenged  the  admiration  of  her  comrades  by 
the  stubborn  thundering  of  her  battery.  The  ship  still  moved  on 
a vacuum  alone.  The  cloud  lifting,  revealed  the  grim  monster  of 
the  enemy  gladly  escaping  from  the  embrace  of  death  in  which  she 
had  been  held  for  nearly  a quarter  of  an  hour,  and  retreating,  de- 
moralized and  discomfited,  toward  the  j)urt  from  which  she  sailed 
so  defiantly  but  a few  hours  before.  The  broad  ensign  which 
waved  so  exultantly  over  her  casemates  now  lay  draggled  and 
riven,  with  its  shattered  flagstalF,  on  her  deck.  The  Union  "vessel 
turned  around  and  again  passed  by  its  antagonist.  The  divisions 
still  stood  at  their  guns ; and  the  brave  commander,  firmly  enun- 
ciating his  orders,  guided  every  movement  of  the  gallant  ship  with 
a coolness  and  relentless  audacity  that  have  seldom  found  a parallel 
since  the  days  of  Decatur  and  llainbridge.  Through  the  whole 
eventful  conflict  ho  manifested  a perfect  fearlessness  of  danger,  and 
kept  his  guns  i)laying  upon  the  retiring  foe;  till  the  Sassacus  was 
borne  by  her  disabled  engine,  slowly,  gracefully,  and  defiantly  be- 
yond the  range  of  the  foe. 

Thus  terminated  an  almost  single-hand  contest  between^  delicate 
river  steamer  and  one  of  the  most  formidable  irou-clads.  The 
other  Union  vessels  rendered  as  effective  service  as  was  in  their 
power,  pouring  in  shot  or  shell  whenever  a favorable  opportunity 
ofl'ered;  but  their  missiles,  almost  without  exception,  glanced  harm- 
lessly from  the  sloping  armored  sides  of  their  antagonist.  The 
rebel  gunboat  Eombshell  was  captured,  with  her  officers  and  crew ; 
the  Albemarle  was  driven  back,  her  guns  disabled,  her  hull  shaken, 
and  leaking  so  badly  that  she  was  kept  afloat  with  much  difficulty. 
Her  retreat  to  Plymouth  left  the  Unionists  in  undisputed  occupancy 
of  the  sound.  The  Sassacus  was  disabled  in  guns,  machinery,  and 
hull.  She  suffered  severely  in  killed,  wounded,  and  scalded ; but 


Hie  Wilderness,  Va. 


399 


the  injuries  inflicted  upon  her  were  of  such  a nature  as  to  be 
speedily  repaired,  and  she  was  soon  ready  for  service  again. 


THE  WILDERNESS,  VA. 

Mat  B to  7, 1S64. 

Unionintu,  under  GeneraU  Grant,  Meade,  and  Surneide,  about  17)0,000.  Killed, 
from  1,7)00  <o  2,000;  wounded,  about  11,000;  prisoners,  about  2,000;  total  losses, 
not  far  from  15,000. 

Dissinionists,  under  General  Lee,  probably  about  130,000.  Losses  said  to  exceed 
those  on  the  Union  side. 

Afteis  a period  of  about  five  months  spent  in  compar.ative  in- 
activity, the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  again  called  upon  to  resume 
the  offensive.  During  tliis  long  interval,  however,  it  had  been  re- 
cruited, reorganized,  and  otherivise  increased  in  efficiency;  till 
now,  as  it  was  about  to  move  once  more  against  the  enemy,  it 
presented  an  array  of  strength  and  valor  such  as  never  before  was 
marshaled  on  Virginia  soil. 

The  five  corps  of  which  it  formerly  consisted  had  been  reduced 
to  three — the  first  and  third  having  been  distributed  among  the 
second,  fifth,  and  sixth — thus  dispensing  with  a superfluity  of  offi- 
cers and  contributing  greatly  to  the  united  and  vigorous  working 
of  the  whole.  The  ninth  cor[)S,  under  General  Jlnrnsido,  also  had 
been  associated  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  either  to  aid  in 
its  movements  or  to  act  as  a reserve  force.  But  more  than  all, 
a new  power  had  been  added  in  the  pre.sence  of  the  lately  appointed 
ranking  officer  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States,  Lieutenant- 
General  Grant,  thus  contributing  a moral  vigor,  if  not  an  intelli- 
gence and  directness  of  purpose,  such  as  had  never  before  inspired 
its  acts.  Hence  when  the  long-expected  order  for  an  advance 
came,  it  was  received  with  a degree  of  composure  and  assurance 
of  success  which  seemed  to  warrant  certain  victory. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon.  May  3d,  the  Union  cavalry  broke  camp 
on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  and  moved  eastward. 
General  Gregg’s  division  advanced  toward  Ely’s  Ford,  and  General 
"Wilson’s  toward  Germania  Ford,  each  being  provided  with  pon- 
toons. At  midnigiit,  the  second  corps,  under  General  Hancock, 
which  had  been  encamped  east  of  Culj)epper,  marched  out  on  the 
route  which  Wilson’s  advance  had  opened  to  them  ; and  at  day- 
light on  the  following  morning,  the  fifth  corps,  under  General  War- 
ren, the  sixth,  under  General  Sedgwick,  and  the  reserve  artillery 


400 


The  'Wilderness^  Va. 


began  a forward  movement  on  the  same  road.  Tlic  supply  train, 
sixty  miles  long  and  including  eight  thousand  wagons,  followed 
the  second  corps.  As  the  sun  gleamed  over  the  misty  tops  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  the  living  tides  of  humanity  were  pouring  forth  in 
long  lines  stretching  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  and  converging 
toward  the  historic  fords  of  the  Rapidan.  It  was  a grand  and  im- 
pressive spectacle,  moving  loyal  hearts  to  a prayerful  wish  that  the 
mighty  liost  now  marching  in  bannered  magnificence  might  soon 
bo  crowned  with  the  wreaths  of  conquerors. 

The  enemy  at  this  time  was  at  Orange  Court  House,  watching 
from  his  elevated  lookout  on  Clark’s  ifountain  for  the  first  sign  of 
change.  In  the  light  of  the  early  dawn,  he  saw  that  the  encamp- 
ments at  Culpepper  were  broken  up  ; while  the  dust  cloud  hanging 
over  the  forest  at  the  east  was  a sure  indication  of  the  movement. 

General  Lee  put  his  army  in  instant  motion  to  strike  the  advanc- 
ing columns  as  they  crossed  the  Rapidan.  The  movement  of  Grant 
was  southeast,  that  of  Leo,  northeast — lines  of  advance  which 
must  i)roduco  collision  unless  Grant  was  far  enough  forward  to 
slip  by  the  angle.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  General  Grant 
did  not  intend  to  fight  I.ee  at  the  Wilderness,  but  that  it  was  the 
design  to  slip  past  that  point,  and  swing  round  by  Spottsylvania, 
and  if  possible  get  between  Lee  and  Richmond.  He  boldly  cut 
loose  his  connection  with  Washington,  and  sailed  out  into  the  un- 
known and  untried,  relying  upon  the  ability  of  his  soldiers  to  open 
a new  base  of  supplies  whenever  needed. 

In  this  first  day’s  movement  ho  did  not  uncover  Washington. 
Burnside  was  still  lying  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock. 
It  was  understood  that  the  ninth  corps  was  to  be  a reserve  to  pro- 
tect the  capital.  So,  perhaps,  Lee  understood  it.  But  at  night-fall 
on  the  4th,  the  shelter  tents  were  folded,  and  the  men  of  the  ninth 
were  on  the  march  along  the  forest  road,  lighted  only  by  the  star.s, 
joining  the  main  army  atGermaniaFord  on  the  morning  of  the  6th. 

Although  the  movements  of  the  troo[)s  were  well-timed,  and  the 
march  made  with  great  rapidity,  the  trains  wei'e  delayed,  and  it 
was  not  possible  for  General  Grant  to  swing  past  the  enemy  ad- 
vancing upon  his  flank. 

Early  on  Thursday  morning,  the  5th  inst.,  the  Union  forces  had 
taken  up  their  march,  the  reveille  liaving  roused  them  from  their 
brief  slumbers  long  before  daylight.  The  positions  in  which  they 
had  camped  during  the  night  were  as  follows : Sedgwick  corps 
(the  sixth)  extended  from  Germania  Ford  southeasterly  to  the  Old 


The  'Wilderness^  'Va.  401 

"W^ilderness  Tavern,  a point  about  lialf  way  between  the  Ford  and 
Ciiancellorsville  ; Warren’s  corps  (tlie  liftb)  was  at  Belmont  Farm 
near  the  Wilderness  Tavern ; and  Hancock’s  corps  (the  second) 
was  on  the  old  Chancellorsville  battle-ground. 

Hancock  began  his  march  toward  Spottsylvania ; but  was  shortly 
recalled  and  ordered  to  advance  his  lines  southwesterly  from  Chan- 
cellorsville  toward  Shady  Grove  Church  on  the  Pamunkey  road. 
Warren  proceeded  from  his  position  on  Belmont  Farm  westward, 
along  the  Orange  Court  House  roads,  toward  Mine  Run,  intending 
to  reach  Parker’s  Store,  four  or  five  miles  west  of  Chancellorsville, 
Sedgwick  moved  up  from  the  Germania  road  westward  into  the 
woods,  and  took  a position  to  cover  all  approaches  to  the  ford.  The 
object  was  to  straighten  the  Union  line  in  a northwest  and  south- 
east direction,  carrying  Hancock  out  to  the  left  to  connect  with 
Warren,  and  moving  Sedgwick  forward  to  a position  011  the  right. 

These  dispositions,  however,  were  interrupted  before  consumma- 
tion. The  army  had  proceeded  but  a short  distance,  when  signs 
were  apparent  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy  in  strong  force. 
Ewell’s  rebel  corps  was  soon  discovered  in  line  of  battle  at  Parker’s 
Store,  on  both  sides  of  the  turnpike ; w'hile  Hill’s  rebel  corps  was 
found  to  be  pushing  rapidly  eastward  along  the  Orange  plank -road, 
toward  the  Old  Wilderness  Church  a little  west  of  Cliancollorsvillo. 
Longstroet’s  rebel  corps  was  following  Hill’s.  Over  the  samo  road 
on  which  Hill  and  Longstreet  were  advancing,  a portion  of  War- 
ren’s troops  were  moving  in  the  opposite  direction. 

The  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  skirmishing  on  this  road,  was 
quickly  driven  in  with  considerable  loss.  General  Grant,  however, 
ordered  the  march  continued  far  enough  to  secure  some  benefit 
from  the  rolling  ridges  ahead.  Then,  halting  the  troops,  he  dis- 
posed them  with  advantage,  and  awmited  the  enemy’s  onset,  while 
throwing  up  a few  rude  and  hasty  breast-works.  The  Federal 
lines,  according  to  the  order  of  march  already  indicated,  now  ran 
northwest  and  southeast;  with  Warren’s  corps  in  the  center, 
Sedgwick’s  on  the  right,  and  Hancock’s  on  the  left. 

The  unfavorable  nature  of  the  country  as  a battle-field  was  soon 
perceived.  Its  surface  was  covered  with  dense  forests  of  low  pines 
and  dwarf  oaks,  with  here  and  there  an  impenetrable  growth  of 
hazel.  The  roads  were  narrow  and  easily  choked  up  by  troops. 
There  w'as  obviously  no  opportunity  for  artillery.  A few  batteries 
were  mterposed  here  and  there  in  an  open  space  or  by  a roadside ; 
but  the  great  artillery  trains  of  both  armies  were  silent  in  the  rear. 


402 


T]ic  ^lVilderness^  Va. 


and  even  the  sections  planted  here  and  there  were  of  little  use. 
The  battles,  therefore,  which  cnsned  both  on  this  day  and  the  fol- 
lowing were  essentially  infantry  battles. 

There  were  certain  ridges  in  the  rolling  country,  with  gullies  and 
ravines,  which  afforded  some  opportunity  for  skill  in  dispositions ; 
and  these  were  used  to  advantage.  But  all  maneuvering  was  ren- 
dered difficult  by  the  density  of  the  underbrush.  The  Union  line 
extended  nearly  five  miles,  with  the  center  a little  thrown  forward 
— its  convexity  being  the  result  of  a battle  before  the  troops  had 
got  into  their  best  position. 

About  noon.  General  Griffin,  commanding  the  first  division  of 
"Warren’s  corps— who  had  reported  the  enemy  in  his  neighborhood, 
and  as  having  driven  in  his  advance  con.sisting  of  two  regiments — 
was  ordered  to  push  forward  his  forces  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
turnpike  to  feel  the  enemy.  Accordingly  ho  moved  Bartlett’s  bri- 
gade to  the  left  of  the  road  and  Ayers’  brigade  of  regulars  to  the 
right,  a third  brigade  being  held  in  reserve.  T.ess  than  a mile’s 
march,  stretching  across  the  turnpike,  brought  them  against  a part 
of  Ewell’s  force,  well  posted  on  a wooded  acclivity. 

A sharp  engagement  ensued  for  an  hour ; but  the  pressure  of 
the  enemy  in  full  strength  upon  the  two  brigades,  and  especially 
upon  Ayres’  on  the  left,  could  be  resisted  no  longer,  and  the  Union 
troops  fell  back,  leaving  two  pieces  of  artillery,  with  nearly  all  the 
horses  killed,  in  the  enemy’s  hands.  "Wadsworth’s  and  Robinson’s 
divisions  at  once  relieved  Griffin’s  division  after  its  well-fought  bat- 
tle, and  hold  the  enemy  in  check.  After  an  hour’s  fighting  by  in- 
fantry and  artillery,  the  enemy  moved  off  to  another  point  of  the 
opposing  line.  Tlie  Federal  loss,  thus  far  principally  confined  to 
Ayres’  and  Bartlett’s  brigades,  was  about  1,000  men. 

It  was  now  evident  that  Lee  had  made  an  adroit  and  fierce  at- 
tempt to  overpower  the  Union  army  before  it  arrived  in  position, 
either  by  interposing  himself  between  its  right  and  the  Rapidan  or 
by  piercing  its  right  center.  The  moment  his  attempt  was  per- 
ceived, General  Meade  had  directed  General  "Warren  to  attack 
briskly,  and  the  result  was  a re[)ulse  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction 
as  effectual  as  the  arrest  of  the  Union  advance. 

The  rebels  now  transferred  their  attack  to  the  left  center;  and 
about  three  o’clock  a.m.  endeavored  to  press  in  between  Warren 
and  Hancock — the  latter  of  whom  in  obedience  to  his  recalling 
orders  had  checked  his  advance,  and  was  rapidly  marching  across 
to  close  the  gap  in  the  line  of  battle.  He  arrived  in  season,  but 


i 


Tlie  Wilder7iesSy  Fa. 


403 


■with  no  time  to  spare,  and  found  the  advance  of  the  enemy  already 
inserting  themselves  in  the  interval.  Getty’s  division  ot  Sedgwick's 
corps  had  been  temporarily  detached  and  moved  to  the  left,  on  the 
right  of  the  Orange  Court  House  plank  road.  The  advance  ot  the 
second  corps,  consisting  of  a single  brigade,  had  barely  formed  a 
junction  with  Getty,  when  Hill’s  rebel  hordes  wore  upon  tlietn 
with  great  force.  The  stubborn  fighting  of  these  two  divisions 
enabled  the  remainder  of  the  Union  left  to  arrive  and  form — Han- 
cock bursting  on  the  enemy's  right  with  a hot  fire  of  musketry. 
Birney,  Barlow,  and  Gibbons,  commanding  respectively  the  third, 
first,  and  fourth  divisions,  successively  hurried  their  forces  to  the 
battle. 

The  ground  was  fearfully  overgrown  with  shrub  trees,  nearly  as 
thick  as  if  shooting  from  the  same  root.  In  a few  moments  urgent 
requests  came  from  the  front  for  reinforcements.  The  enemy  was 
repeating  the  tactics  of  Chancellorsville,  in  falling  with  almost 
superhuman  power  upon  one  wing.  This  time,  however,  he  was 
foiled. 

The  battle  raged  for  three  hours  precisely  where  it  began,  along 
a line  of  not  more  than  half  a mile.  As  fast  as  the  Union  forces 
came  up  they  were  sent  in ; still  no  ground  was  gained,  none  lost. 
It  was  all  musketry,  rolling  surge  upon  surge,  without  the  least  ces- 
sation. Such  was  the  nature  of  the  ground  that  but  two  cannon 
could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  foe.  The  work  was  at  close 
range.  There  was  no  room  in  that  dense  thicket  for  maneuvering, 
no  possibility  of  a bayonet  charge,  no  help  worth  mentioning  from 
artillery,  none  from  cavalry;  nothing  but  close,  square,  face-to-face 
volleys  of  fatal  musketry.  The  wounded  streamed  out,  and  fresh 
troops  poured  in.  Stretchers  passed  along  with  ghastly  burdens, 
and  returned,  reeking  with  blood,  for  more.  Word  was  brought 
that  the  ammunition  was  failing.  Sixty  rounds  had  been  fired  in 
one  steady  stand-up  fight;  and  yet  the  combat  was  not  ended. 
Boxes  of  cartridges  were  placed  on  the  returning  stretchers,  that 
the  struggle  might  not  cease  for  want  of  deadly  powder  and  balls. 

The  volleys  grow  nearer ; but  the  bullets  are  flying  high,  and 
limbs  chipped  from  the  tree-tops  now  and  then  fall  to  the  ground. 
General  Hancock  rides  along  the  line ; and  is  recognized  by  tho 
men,  with  a burst  of  enthusiasm.  Cheer  on  cheer  rings  through 
the  air,  and  the  soldiers  redouble  their  efforts.  The  deadly  hail  of 
musketry  is  perhaps  unsurpassed  for  fury  in  the  record  of  the  war. 
The  second  corps  is  at  length  all  up.  It  holds  its  ground  with 


404 


The  Wilderness^  Ya. 


unfliiicliing  tenacity.  By-aiul-by  reinforcements  arrive  from  'War- 
ren, and  a part  of  Wadswortii’s  and  Robinson’s  divisions  move  out 
to  turn  Hill’s  Hank. 

It  soon  became  evident,  however,  that  to  relieve  the  second 
corps  there  must  be  an  advance  along  the  entire  line.  It  was 
promptly  ordered  ; and  while  the  darkness  of  tlie  night  was  rapidly 
gathering,  Sedgwick’s  corps,  which  had  been  engaged  during  tlie 
afternoon  since  half-past  one  o’clock — and  especially  about  the 
time  of  the  attack  on  tlie  left  at  half-past  three, — jiressed  upon  tlie 
enemy  and  drove  him  back.  There  was  now  ns  great  danger  to 
Ewell’s  rebel  troops  as  there  had  been  to  Hancock’s  Union  troops. 
Hut  with  the  advantage  gained  by  Sedgwick  on  the  right,  the  fight- 
ing closed,  having  extended  far  into  the  night. 

The  Union  loss  on  the  left  was  about  1,000  in  killed  and  wound- 
ed, including  the  brave  General  Alexander  Hays.  The  enemy 
claimed  nearly  a thousand  jirisoners  also,  taken  from  their  antago- 
nists during  the  day.  In  killed  and  wounded  their  loss  was  iirob- 
ably  equal  to  that  of  the  Unionists,  and  300  of  their  men  were 
captured. 

The  results  of  the  day  were  obviously  indecisive.  The  contend- 
ing forces  lay  on  their  arms,  on  the  ground  they  had  fought  over. 
Each  had  repulsed  the  advance  of  the  other,  and  only  awaited  the 
more  desperate  conflict  of  the  morrow.  In  some  respects,  however, 
the  Federal  army  had  gained  important  advantages.  First,  Gene- 
ral Grant  had  learned  the  strength  and  position  of  General  Lee’s 
army — knowledge  of  the  greatest  value.  Secondly,  he  had  been 
able  to  gatlier  his  forces  well  in  hand,  putting  them  into  a more 
substantial  line  than  in  the  beginning  of  the  engagement.  Finally, 
there  was  no  longer  any  doubt  as  to  tho  policy  of  calling  General 
Burnside  from  the  farther  side  of  the  river — the  whole  force  of  the 
enemy  obviously  being  opposed  to  the  Union  front. 

The  ninth  corps,  under  Burnside,  came  to  the  field  of  battle  on 
Thursday,  after  a forced  march  ; and  was  distributed,  as  occasion 
required,  on  the  right  center  and  left  center.  But  the  Federal  line 
remained  substantially  as  during  the  day,  stretching  northwest  and 
southeast  over  a line  nearly  parallel  to  that  from  Germania  Ford 
to  Chancellorsville,  and  with  headquarters  not  much  in  advance  of 
the  Wilderness. 

At  early  dawn  on  Friday  the  inst.,  hostilities  were  warmly 
resumed.  Both  armies  were  evidently  bent  on  attack.  General 
Sedgwick  had  been  ordered  to  advance  at  five  o’clock  in  the  morn- 


! 

1 

I 

I 


The  'Wildfirne!^!^^  T^z.  403 

ing ; bat  fifteen  minutes  earlier  the  enemy  under  Ewell  were  upon 
him,  in  force.  General  Seymour,  with  a provisional  division,  on 
the  extreme  right  of  the  Sixth  corps,  and  General  Wright’s  divi- 
sion, next  adjoining,  were  briskly  engaged  at  once  ; and  soon  Gen- 
eral Ricketts’  division  was  no  less  hotly  involved.  But  the  enemy’s 
endeavor  to  flank  was  repelled,  and  the  lino  of  the  sixth  cori)8 
was  pushed  a few  hundred  yards  ahead,  without  gaining,  how- 
ever, material  advantage. 

At  eight  o’clock,  and  again  at  half-past  ten,  the  right  was  press- 
ed; but  the  fighting,  though  furious,  was  indecisive.  At  about 
eight  o’clock,  also,  the  firing  extended  all  along  the  line  ; and  after 
a short  cessation,  again  broke  out  at  half-past  ten.  The  enemy 
began  to  hurl  himself  successively  on  the  right  and  left  wings — 
having  perceived  their  weakness  on  Thursday, — with  tlio  obvious 
intent  to  break  through  and  separate  the  tlirce  corijs.  A part  of 
Burnside’s  corps,  however,  had  been  sent  to  fill  the  dangerous  gap 
between  the  center  and  left;  though  this  arrangement  was  not  en- 
tirely and  properly  consummated  till  late  in  the  day,  after  the 
experience  of  several  fierce  assaults.  Earth-works  also  were  thrown 
lip  on  Friday,  as  on  the  preceding  day,  whenever  and  wherever 
practicable — and  as  events  proved,  with  wise  precaution  against 
disaster.  Indeed,  the  varying  fortunes  of  battle  found  them  of 
invaluable  service. 

Thus  far  the  preparatory  movements  of  the  enemy,  owing  to  the 
woody  and  uneven  character  of  the  field,  were  for  the  most  part 
silent  and  invisible — in  fact,  unknown  until  developed  in  attack. 
The  Unionists,  in  many  instances,  could  deliver  effective  blows 
only  in  the  direction  whence  blows  were  received — not  against  an 
open  enemy  advancing  with  bold  front,  but  against  one  who  had 
mysteriously  gathered  his  forces  and  prepared  for  a fatal  spring. 

On  the  left,  the  Federal  line  stretched  across  the  Orange  plank- 
road,  as  at  the  close  of  Thursday’s  battle,  with  Barlow’s  division 
of  the  second  corps  at  the  farther  extremity.  About  five  a.m. — 
the  time  appointed  for  Sedgwick’s  advance — Hancock  had  moved 
out  his  forces,  and  with  great  enthusiasm  attacked  and  drove  the 
astonished  enemy  more  than  two  miles  from  the  Brock  road  (which 
runs  southeasterly  from  the  Rapidan,  by  way  of  Old  Wilderness 
Tavern  and  Spottsylvania  Court  House)  toward  Parker’s  Store. 
Here,  reinforced  by  Longstreet,  they  succeeded  in  holding  their 
ground — leaving  many  prisoners,  however,  in  Union  hands. 

A comparative  lull  ensued  after  this  brilliant  Exploit ; lyben  again 

20 


406 


27/6  Wilderness,  Va. 


a severe  assault  was  made  on  the  Union  left,  followed  up  along  the 
line  witli  such  vigor  as  nearly  to  involve  the  whole  in  confusion. 
But  reinforcements  came  from  Burnside’s  corps  ; and  Longstreet’s 
solid  infantry  masses,  pressing  the  loft  and  center,  were  checked, 
and  at  last  precipitately  driven  back. 

The  line  swayed  to  and  fro  with  the  shifting  fortune  of  the  ter- 
rific fight,  and  the  thick  and  heavy  chapparal  in  contention  was 
covered  with  the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  armies.  The  Union 
right  and  center  gained  a little  ground,  under  hot  fire;  but  it  was 
only  to  meet  the  enemy’s  intrenched  lino,  posted  on  an  extended 
ridge,  and  approached  through  a thickly  wooded  swamp  of  consid- 
erable width,  protected  by  a front  and  flank  fire.  This  position 
was  twice  unsuccessfully  attempted  by  the  Union  right  and  center, 
in  course  of  the  morning. 

At  eleven  o’clock  the  rebels  pressed  hard  upon  Warren  and 
Sedgwick,  and  trained  a number  of  guns  exactly  upon  the  latter’s 
headquarters.  A man  and  three  horses  were  killed  in  the  very 
center  of  his  staff.  Finding  the  foe  disposed  to  renew  the  engage- 
ment of  the  earlier  hours,  Sedgwick  accepted  the  challenge  and 
advanced  his  whole  lino.  TIjo  men  moved  forward  with  even 
more  enthusiasm  and  determination  than  in  the  morning;  and 
Ewell  was  driven  back  to  his  second  line,  where  his  guns  were  in 
position.  At  quarter-past  eleven,  the  fighting  in  front  of  Warren’s 
corps,  particularly  Wadsworth’s  division,  was  of  the  most  despe- 
rate character.  The  latter  was  ordered  to  charge ; and  twice 
moved  to  the  assault  with  the  utmost  gallantry,  but  was  persistently 
repulsed.  General  Wadsworth’s  horse  was  shot  under  him ; but 
mounting  a second,  he  spurred  to  the  front,  and  heroically  ordered 
a renewed  onset.  Again  his  troops  swept  forward ; when  a rebel 
bullet  pierced  his  forehead,  and  ho  was  stretched  among  the  slain. 
The  men,  disheartened  at  the  loss  of  their  leader,  fell  back  to  their 
original  position. 

The  situation,  at  noon,  on  the  left,  was  not  a little  critical.  The 
reinforcements  from  the  ninth  corps  wore  expected  to  have  suffi- 
ciently filled  up  the  gap,  at  daybreak,  between  Warren  and  Han- 
cock ; but  the  position  was  not  made  entirely  strong  till  later  in 
the  day.  The  enemy,  partly  withdrawing  from  the  right,  for  the 
moment,  rushed  in  farther  down  the  line — it  has  been  said,  almost 
surrounding  the  second  corps  and  rolling  far  out  on  its  left  flank  as 
well  as  on  the  front.  The  third  brigade  of  Barlow’s  division  was 
borne  back  by  the  fierce  assault  of  a greatly  superior  force;  and 


JAMES  SAMUEL  WADSWORTH, 


liUte  ]irig.-Gon.  Yols.,  born  in  Coneseo,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Ocl.  iiO,  1807  ; 
woiindud  in  battle  of  AVilderness,  a!id  died  May  8,  ISti  l ; gradnaled  at  Yale 
College;  studied  law  in  Albany  ajid  Boston;  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1833. 
Managed  Ids  immense  estate  in  Western  N.  Y.  witli  great  abili^  and  benev- 
olence; sent  a shipload  of  food,  at  his  own  expense,  to  Ireland,  in  famine  of  1847. 
Pres.  Elector,  185G  and  1800;  member  of  Peace  Congre.ss,  in  Feb.,  18G1. 
Sent  two  ships  loaded  with  provisions,  for  N.  Y.  Militia,  to  Annapolis,  l^Id. 
Volunteered  on  Gen.  McDowell’s  Staff  at  Ball  linn  ; ollered  rank  of  Major- 
Gen,  ol  Vohs.  by  Gov.  Morgan,  but  declined  ; Brig.-Gen.  Yols.,  Ang.  9,  IStil  ; 
commanded  Brigade  at  M imson’s  Hill ; Mil.  Gov.  of  Washington  and  com- 
mander of  defences  of  capital,  March  15, 18G2.  Nominated  for  Gov.  of  N.  Y., 
Sept.  24,  18G2  ; defeated  by  treachery.  Commander  1st  Div.  First  Corps, 
at  battle  of  Fredericksburg  ; crossed  the  Rappahannock,  under  heavy  fire,  in 
battle  of  Chancellorsville,  l^Iay,  18G3  ; in  command  of  Firet  Corps,  first  day 
at  Gettysburg,  two  hours  after  Reynolds’  death  ; relieved  from  command,  at 
his  own  request ; visited  Freedmeu’s  plantations  on  Mississippi ; Pres’t  Court 
kfartial ; Commissioner  for  E.xch.  of  Prisoners  ; commanded  Fourth  Division 
Fifth  Corps  in  battle  of  Wilderness  ; mortally  wounded,  near  Parker’s  Store, 
in  action  of  Gth  May,  18G4. 


The  Wilder7iess,  Va. 


411 


llio  whole  body  once  more  retired  to  its  intrenched  lino  of  logs  and 
# abattis,  thrown  up  on  Thursday,  along  the  Brock  road.  As  the 
position  on  the  right  of  Hancock’s  forces  was  that  which  the  enemy 
especially  coveted,  General  Birney’s  command  stationed  at  that 
point  was  made  to  consist  of  nearly  a whole  corps.  Against  his 
troops  had  been  hurled  all  the  morning  the  combined  forces  of 
Ijongstreet  and  Hill  in  their  persistent  efforts  to  pierce  the  Federal 
lines.  The  rebels  charging,  in  their  characteristic  manner,  with 
demoniac  yells,  were  each  time  gallantly  met,  and  in  every  assault 
but  the  last,  hurled  back  beyond  their  original  lines. 

After  this  annoying  reverse,  a comparative  lull  occurred,  and  the 
Union  troops  improved  the  opportunity  to  draw  up  and  concentrate 
their  lines  interposing  the  greater  part  of  Burnside’s  cor[)3  between 
Hancock  and  Warren.  The  left  also  was  brought  forward  a little 
from  Brock  road’toward  the  center.  Hardly  had  these  fortunate 
dispositions  been  made,  when  again,  a little  after  four  o’clock,  the 
enemy  under  Longstreet  and  Hill  charged  upon  the  position  along 
the  Brock  road  with  such  irresistible  violence  that  they  penetrated 
the  Federal  lines  at  the  intersection  of  this  road  with  the  turn[)iko 
leading  to  Orange  Court  House,  and  planted  a rebel  standard  on 
the  Union  intrenchment.  For  a moment  the  safety  of  the  corps 
seemed  in  imminent  danger.  Many  of  the  men,  becoming  demor- 
alized, were  hurrying  toward  the  rear;  and  the  rebels,  yelling  like 
demons,  wore  conhdent  of  success. 

At  this  juncture,  Colonel  Carrol’s  Union  brigade  came  up  on  the 
turnpike,  from  its  position  on  the  right,  and  heroically  charged  the 
enemy,  driving  him  back  to  the  woods  beyond.  General  Hancock 
accredited  Colonel  Carrol  with  saving  his  corps  and  perhaps  the 
whole  army  from  disaster.  The  Colonel  had  received  a ball  through 
his  arm,  on  the  afternoon  of  Thursday ; but  nevertheless  refused 
to  leave  his  command,  although  suffering  severely  with  his  wound. 
General  Ward,  commanding  a brigade  of  Birney’s  division,  was  also 
conspicuous  for  gallantry.  Ilia  horse  being  lost,  he  mounted  a cais- 
son, and  ordering  it  driven  rapidly  a quarter  of  a mile  to  the  rear, 
he  gathered  in  a few  minutes  nearly  a brigade  of  stragglers,  and 
inspiring  them  with  enthusiasm  by  his  presence  and  heroic  exam- 
ple, led  them  on  the  double-quick  toward  the  front.  The  enemy 
being  repulsed  at  all  points,  the  Union  troops  gradually  gained  their 
advance  position. 

It  was  now  nearly  sunset.  From  one  end  of  the  line  to  another, 
not  a shot  could  be  heard.  The  day’s  work  seemed  over.  In  iwo 


412 


Tlie  Wilderness,  Fa, 


days’  fighting  the  Unionists  had  lost  heavily,  hut  not  more  so  than 
tlie  enemy.  Tlieir  assaults  had  been  futile ; hut  those  of  the  rebels 
had  been  equally  ineffective,  and  it  was  by  these  massed  assaults 
tliat  they  had  ever  achieved  their  victories.  The  sun  went  down 
red  and  fiery.  The  smoke  of  the  conflict  of  more  than  200,000  men 
engaged  in  sanguinary  struggle  filled  the  valleys,  and  rested  upon  the 
hills  of  all  the  Wilderness,  hung  in  lurid  haze  around  the  horizon, 
and  built  a dense  canopy  overhead.  Quiet  reigned  again  ; but 
during  this  tranquil  interval,  the  enemy  was  forging  a thun- 
derbolt. 

Darkness  and  smoke  were  mingling  in  grim  twilight  and  fast 
deepening  into  thick  gloom,  when  the  Union  army  were  startled 
out  of  their  repose  into  fierce  excitement.  The  thunderbolt  was 
sped,  and  by  a master  hand.  A wild  rebel  yell  burst  forth  at  the 
right.  It  was  evident  the  enemy  had  massed  and  were  charging. 
It  was  at  first  believed  to  bo  but  a night  attack  to  ascertain  the 
Union  position ; but  it  proved  more — the  enemy  meant  to  break 
through  the  Federal  lines,  and  succeeded. 

On  Sedgwick’s  extreme  right  was  a brigade  under  General  Sey- 
mour, who  had  been  assigned  to  its  command  only  two  days  before. 
Connecting  with  this  was  Shaler’s  brigade,  and  then  Mills’.  These 
troops  were  at  work  intrenching  when  fallen  upon.  The  enemy 
came  down  like  a torrent,  rolling  and  dashing,  in  living  waves,  and 
flooding  up  against  the  whole  sixth  corps.  The  main  line  stood 
like  a rock,  but  not  so  the  extreme  right.  That  flank  was  instantly 
and  utterly  turned.  The  rebel  line  was  the  longer,  and  surged 
around  Seymour’s  brigade,  tided  over  it  and  through  it,  then  beat 
against  Shaler’s  and  bore  away  his  nearest  regiments.  All  this 
transpired  in  less  than  ten  minutes.  Seymour’s  men,  seeing  their 
pickets  flying,  and  hearing  the  shouts  of  the  rebels  charging  with 
demoniac  fury,  were  smitten  with  panic  ; and  rushing  together  in 
a disordered  herd,  endeavored  to  make  their  way  through  the  woods 
in  the  rear  to  the  plank-road.  The  greater  part  of  this  brigade, 
however,  and  most  of  Shaler’s  were  captured  together  with  their 
commanders.  General  Seymour  had  been  conspicuous  for  gallantry 
ihronghout  the  day  ; and  according  to  universal  testimony,  did  all 
that  could  be  done  by  skill  or  daring  to  avert  the  catastrophe.  The 
whole  right  wing,  and  indeed  the  whole  army,  was  in  imminent 
peril.  General  Sedgwick,  however,  by  almost  superhuman  efforts 
and  direct  personal  exposure,  rallied  and  held  his  troops,  thus  sav- 
ing’^he  army  from  the  iippending  destruction  which  threatened  it. 


Tlie  Wilderness^  Ya,  413 

With  their  success  on  the  right,  the  enemy  sullenly  withdrew,  dark- 
ness having  already  covered  the  field. 

The  battle  had  been  a series  of  fierce  attacks  by  both  combat- 
ants, on  tbe  right,  left,  and  center,  attended  in  almost  every  instance 
with  temporary  success,  but  met  at  last  W'ith  a decided  repulse. 
The  wooded  nature  of  the  country,  which  can  hardly  be  appreciated 
by  one  unfamiliar  with  the  battle-field,  was  peculiarly  favorable  to 
the  massing  of  the  enemy’s  force  in  perfect  concealment  and  secre- 
cy. The  same  difficulties  in  the  ground  also  prevented  their 
columns  from  being  checked  with  artillery  ; besides,  their  perfect 
familiarity  with  the  region,  it  having  been  in  the  neighborhood  of 
their  camping-ground  for  many  months,  gave  them  a decided  ad- 
vantage in  their  strategic  maneuvering. 

The  disaster  to  the  extreme  right  of  the  sixth  corps  was  of  the 
most  serious  character,  and  such  as  more  than  once  has  lost  a bat- 
tle. Had  not.  the  enemy  been  exhausted  with  their  impetuous 
attacks  during  the  day,  or  had  they  known  the  condition  of  the  Fed- 
eral right,  it  must  have  fared  hard  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
But  so  dearly  bought  was  their  advantage,  that  the  effort  to 
thrust  themselves  between  their  opponents  and  Germauia  Ford 
was  abandoned  even  when  nearest  successful.  Artillery,  however, 
bad  been  posted  to  command  their  column,  in  case  it  should  burst 
through  and  over  the  right  flank.  But  it  was  not  required,  their 
attack  having  been  repulsed  by  the  strenuous  efforts  of  Generals 
Sedgwick  and  Wright.  The  Federal  losses  in  the  right  wing  were 
but  little  below  0,000,  of  which  4,000  probably  occurred  during 
the  rebel  assault.  Tbe  losses  in  the  second  corps  were  about  3,000. 
Altogether  the  total  losses  in  the  two  days’  fighting  were  estimated 
at  not  far  from  15,000  men.  Probably  those  of  the  enemy  were 
no  less  severe.  Among  their  killed  were  Generals  Jones,  Jenkins, 
and  Pickett ; while  Generals  Longstreet,  Pegram,  and  Hunter  were 
severely  wounded.  Of  the  losses  on  both  sides,  an  unusual  pro- 
portion were  wounded — arising  from  the  fact  that  so  little  artillery 
was  used. 

Tbe  terrific  infantry  contest  closed  on  a disputed  field,  neither 
army  having  gained  great  advantage.  General  Grant  held  sub- 
stantially the  same  line  as  on  Thursday  evening;  but  he  had 
strengthened  it  on  the  left.  During  the  night,  preparations  were 
also  made  to  strengthen  the  right  and  to  repair  the  disaster  the  last 
charge  had  inflicted  ; otherwise  it  was  comparatively  quiet — the 
Union  army  lying  silently  along  their  hasty  lines  of  rifle-pits,  and 


414  Tlie  ’Wilderness^  Va. 

the  rebels  still  kecpiing  tbeir  more  formidable  intrencliments  on 
the  edge  of  tbe  woods  ; while  the  broad  intervening  space  so  often 
fought  over  was  held  by  the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  combatants. 

The  Federal  cavalry  during  Thursday  and  Friday  covered  the 
rear  and  left  of  the  army  ; and  during  the  former  day,  Wilson’s  and 
Gregg’s  divisions  held  the  important  point  known  as  Todd’s  Tavern, 
at  the  intersection  of  the  Brock  and  Catharpih  roads.  Their  ser- 
' vice  on  the  left  was  particularly  important  in  preventing  flanking 
demonstrations  by  the  enemy’s  cavalry.  On  Thursday,  however, 
at  the  departure  of  Hancock’s  corps  to  join  the  main  line  of  battle, 
the  Union  cavalry  were  charged  upon,  and  several  hundred  of  the 
Eighteenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  captured. 

On  Saturday,  at  daybreak,  the  Federal  army  renewed  the  battle, 
with  artillery  planted,  at  night,  to  protect  the  right  wing.  The  lat- 
ter had  been  drawn  back  and  strengthened.  The  cannonading 
elicited  no  reply.  Skirmishers  were  thrown  out,  therefore,  and  a 
general  advance  ordered.  A series  of  sharp  conflicts  ensued,  in 
which  the  Union  troops  were  generally  victorious.  But  it  became 
evident  by  noon  that  General  Leo  was  retreating  with  his  iiuiin 
army  toward  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 

General  Grant  promptly  ordered  pursuit.  His  cavalry  were 
already  posted,  as  wo  have  before  observed,  near  Todd’s  Tavern, 
where  they  were  in  readiness  to  anticipate  the  enemy’s  movement. 
Some  skirmishing  occurred  during  the  morning  for  the  possession 
of  the  cross-roads  at  that  point,  and  about  three  r.M.  there  was  a 
general  cavalry  battle,  in  which  the  brigades  of  Custer,  on  the 
right,  and  Gregg  and  Merritt,  in  the  center,  were  actively  engaged. 
The  loss  was  about  250  on  each  side,  and  the  Federal  forces  held 
their  ground.  Meanwhile  the  Union  infantry  commenced  the  pur- 
suit of  their  opponents,  who  were  retiring  in  good  order,  and  from 
time  to  time  presented  a bold  front.  Thus  they  passed  on ; till  the 
dark  battle-ground  of  tbe  Wilderness,  the  theater  of  so  many  san- 
guinary conflicts,  fraught  with  gloomy  memories  and  saddening 
spectacles,  was  left  fur  in  the  roar. 

Most  of  the  dead  lay,  fur  weeks  after,  unburied ; and  as  occa- 
sional detachments  passed  by,  on  their  way  to  or  from  the  main 
army,  the  ghastly  field  presented  a horribly  sickening  sight.  The 
mangled  and  corrupting  bodies — in  some  instances  stripped  of  their 
clothing — had  become  the  prey  of  ruthless  wild-fowl ; and  the 
noisomo,  odor  which  filled  the  air  rendered  a near  approach 
scarcely  endurable. 


,415 


Southeastern  Virginia. 

SOTJTHEASTEEN  VIE.GIEIA. 

(katjtz’s  raid.) 

Mat  6 to  10,  1864. 

VnioniHts^  under  General  KauU,  8,000.t  Lostse-^  not  reported. 

DiJtunioniaU,  under  various  leaders.  Largest  number  engagedyl^^W.  Killed 
and  wounded  not  reported  ; prisoners^  800. 

General  Kautz’s  cavalry  expedition  left  Getty’s  Station  May 
6th,  and  reached  the  Blackwater  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day, 
making  feints  as  if  to  cross  in  two  or  three  places.  The  following 
day,  the  troops  moved  up  the  river  opposite  to  Birch  Island,  where 
they  commenced  crossing  at  three  o’clock  p.m.  A short  but  spirr 
ited  skirmish  ensued  here.  General  Kautz  then  pushed  on  for 
Stony  Creek,  demolishing  the  railroad  and  telegraph  on  the  Peters- 
burg and  Norfolk  road,  as  the  force  crossed  it.  The  following  day 
they  reached  Stony  Creek.  Ilere  they  found  about  sixty  rebels 
hid  in  a stable,  who  annoyed  them  considerably.  The  skulking  foe 
surrendered,  however  ; and  the  raih-oad  bridge,  together  with  the 
depot  and  other  valuable  property,  also  the  county  bridge  across 
the  creek,  were  burned. 

Meantime  Colonel  Spear  Avith  a detachment  of  the  expedition 
pushed  on  to  Jarrett’s  Station,  by  the  county  road.  Here  he  led 
three  charges  against  the  enemy.  The  depot  was  destroyed,  also 
a quantity  of  grain  and  supplies. 

General  Kautz  proceeded  to  Nottaway  River  with  the  main  force. 
At  this  point  they  encountered  about  1,500  rebels  and  a square  re- 
doubt. After  a spirited  contest,  they  drove  the  rebels  into  the  fort, 
and  kept  them  engaged  whUe  they  proceeded  to  burn  the  bridge 
and  destroy  the  government  stores.  They  next  advanced  toward 
Sussex  Court  House,  at  which  place  they  arrived  at  five  p.m.  on 
Sunday,  and  there  tarried  for  the  night.  Resuming  their  march 
oil  Monday,  they  struck  the  Petersburg  plank-road  at  Littleton, 
and  came  to  wjthin  seven  miles  of  Petersburg.  Thence  they 
marched  to  City  Point.  Reaching  the  Norfolk  and  Petersburg 
Railroad,  they  burnt  bridges,  destroyed  telegraph  and  railroad,  and 
then  moved  on  to  a church  thirteen  miles  distant  from  their  point 
of  destination  ; and  there  rested  for  the  night.  The  next  morning 
they  reached  City  Point. 

The  expedition  subsisted  on  the  country  through  which  it  passed, 
and  was  eminently  successful  in  its  work  of  destruction.  The 
cavalry  were  in  the  saddle  almost  incessantly  for  six  days,  and 


416  Petersburg  and  Richmoyid  Railroad^  Pa. 

endured  tlie  fatigue  witliout  comidaint.  About  300  prisoners  were 
taken  from  the  foe,  among  wliotii  were  teu  oflicers.  Their  losses 
in  killed  and  wounded  were  also  large. 


PETERSBURG  AND  RICHMOND  RAILROAD,  VA. 

May  7 to  9,  1864. 

Unionists,  under  Generals  Butler  and  Brooks,  ahout  20,000.  Losses,  about  460. 
BUunionists,  under  General  Bushrod  Johnson,  numbers  not  reported.  Losses 
said  to  be  greater  than  on  the  Union  side. 

On  Saturday,  May  7tli,  a force  under  General  Brooks,  consisting 
of  five  brigades,  advanced  toward  the  Petersburg  and  Richmond 
Railroad,  and  encountered  tlie  enemy,  with  whom  a sharp  fight 
occurred.  The  engagement  lasted  about  six  hours,  interrupted, 
however,  by  various  lulls. 

General  Brooks,  while  engaging  the  rebels  in  front,  sent  a de- 
tachment round  upon  their  right,  which  succeeded  in  cutting  the 
railroad,  tearing  up  the  rails,  and  burning  the  ties  for  about  half  a 
mile.  The  railroad  bridge  crossing  one  of  the  tributaries  of  the 
Appomattox  about  seven  miles  from  Petersburg,  was  also  set  on  fire 
and  totally  consumed.  At  night  fall  the  troops  were  withdrawn  to 
their  former  position. 

Early  on  Monday  morning  the  bugles  again  sounded  the  call  to 
arms.  The  destruction  of  the  railroad  must  bo  rendered  more 
efl^ectual,  and  to  accomi)lish  this  work  the  foe  must  bo  driven  back. 

A general  advance  took  place  along  the  Union  lines.  Upon  ap- 
proaching the  railroad,  it  was  found  that  the  enemy  had  retired  to 
a strong  position  ; and  with  the  exception  of  some  picket  firing,  the 
movement  was  uninterrupted  till  the  troops  reached  Bakeharn’s 
Creek,  when  severe  skirmishing  ensued.  General  Heckman,  with 
his  brigade,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  engagement.  The  enemy  charg- 
ed furiously  upon  them  ; but  the  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts, 
against  which  the  shock  was  chiefly  directed,  stood  like  a rock, 
and  repelled  every  attempt  to  sever  the  lino.  The  rebel  rifle-pits 
were  at  length  carried  by  a gallant  charge  of  the  brigade,  which 
was  only  stopped  in  its  advance  by  a square  earth-work  near  Swift 
Creek,  th.at  completely  commanded  the  forks  of  the  road. 

The  right  of  the  Union  lines,  under  General  Terry,  crossed  the 
railroad,  destroying  it  for  some  distance,  and  driving  before  their 
van  a small  body  of  the  enemy ; thus  cutting  in  two  Beauregard’s 
forces,  and  preventing  reinforcements  from  Richmond.  Terry’s 


Hoclcij  Face  Midgey  Ga.  41 7' 

command  likewise  destroyed  the  railway  track  about  Chester  Court 
Uouse  Junction,  while  their  associates  passed  beyond  the  road. 

The  Union  front  was  then  changed  so  as  to  face  Petersburg, 
leaving  General  Terry  in  the  rear.  General  Butler  commanded  in 
person,  his  headquarters  being  at  Bakeham’s  Creek.  Weitzel’s 
division  of  the  eighteenth  army  corps  drove  the  enemy  down  the 
pike  leading  from  the  landing. 

General  Heckman’s  brigade  suffered  severely.  The  rebels  were 
also  seriously  punished,  thirty  of  their  dead  being  counted  in  walk- 
ing as  many  feet  in  front  of  the  Union  position  where  they  made 
their  fiercest  charge.  A large  number  of  rebel  prisoners  also  were 
captured,  mostly  from  South  Carolina  I’cgiments.  The  firing  ceased 
about  five  p.m.  Having  accomplisbed  all  that  was  intended,  the 
Union  troops  were  subsequently  withdrawn. 


ROCKY  FACE  RIDGE,  GA. 

Mat  8 to  11,  1864. 

XTnionistSy  under  General  Sherman^  99,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and  miesinff, 
800.^ 

Dieunioniete,  under  General  Joe  Johneton,  about  55,000.  Josses,  about  650. 

General  Sherman’s  army,  having  reached  Tunnel  Hill,  in  its 
advance  from  Ringgold  toward  Dalton,  met  with  little  resistance  at 
this  point ; the  only  purpose  of  the  rebels  being,  ap[)arently,  to 
hold  the  Union  forces  in  check,  till  they  could  effect  a retreat  to  a 
stronger  position.  With  the  loss  of  four  or  five  wounded  and  none 
killed,  the  fourteenth  corps,  under  General  Palmer,  after  a brief 
skirmish,  took  possession  of  the  hill — through  which  the  Georgia 
Railroad  passes  by  a tunnel  eighteen  hundred  feet  in  length. 

Directly  opposite  Tunnel  Hill  is  “ Rocky  Face  Ridge,”  a rugged, 
stony  eminence  rising  precipitously  to  a height  of  about  five  hun- 
dred feet.  Between  these  elevations  is  a narrow  level  valley  run- 
ning north  and  south.  The  outlet  to  this  valley,  toward  Dalton, 
is  through  a deep  narrow  mountain-defile,  known  as  Buzzard’s 
Roost,  a position  easily  defended,  with  steep  sides  along  which  bat- 
teries could  be  planted  so  as  to  sweep  every  approach  and  destroy 
any  assailing  force.  The  approach  to  this  pass,  across  the  valley, 
was  defended  by  a line  of  rifle-pits  and  earth-works. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  May  8th,  General  Sherman’s  forces 
descended  into  the  valley  from  Tunnel  Hill.  Wood’s  and  Stanley’s 


418 


liocJcy  Face  Ridge,  Ga. 

divisions  advanced  in  line  of  battle  down  the  slope,  in  full  view  of 
the  enemy,  who,  concentrated  in  force  about  the  rebel  signal  sta- 
tion in  front,  contemplated  the  movement  from  their  sublime  height. 
Soon  afterward  the  second  division  advanced  to  tlie  open  hold, 
taking  position  on  the  left  of  General  Wood.  Sharp  skirmishing 
now  began.  General  llarker’s  brigade  being  in  advance.  The 
rebels  were  already  threatening  the  left  flank  ; and  desultory  firing 
was  heard  in  the  woods,  while  the  smoke  of  musketry  rose  above 
the  tops  of  the  trees,  indicating  the  presence  of  the  enemy  in  consid- 
erable force.  From  their  rifle-pits,  they  opened  fire  upon  the  Union 
skirmishers  as  they  advanced ; but  the  range  was  too  long  to  in- 
flict injury. 

About  half-past  ten  o’clock.  General  Howard,  who  was  directing 
field  operations,  ordered  General  Jeff.  C.  Davis’  division  to  move 
forward  and  take  position  on  the  right.  Meantime  General  Scho- 
field’s command  assumed  a position  on  the  extreme  left ; and  the 
cavalry  of  General  Cook  was  placed  opposite  the  riglit  of  the  foe, 
to  prevent  a flank  movement.  Thus  the  troops  were  disposed  in 
front  and  on  both  sides  of  the  enemy  at  Uuzzard’s  Koost. 

Early  in  the  day,  orders  wore  issued  by  the  Union  general  not  to 
fight,  or  bring  on  a general  engagement  at  any  point,  unless  the 
rebeJs  attacked  the  Federal  position,  since  he  was  unwilling  to  take 
the  initiative  in  a great  battle  on  the  Sabbath. 

About  twelve  o’clock,  the  enemy  began  to  show  themselves  in 
force  upon  their  signal  station  on  Rocky  Face ; and  immediately 
commenced  inarching  in  column,  and  plainly  parading  their  ranks, 
as  they  passed  in  almost  unbroken  lines  among  the  trees  which 
crown  the  mountain.  This  marching  continued  for  an  hour.  At 
the  same  time,  a portion  of  Newton’s  division,  which  had  been 
ordered  up,  were  seen  advancing  in  the  opposite  direction.  Fol- 
lowing soon  after  them.  General  Harker’s  brigade  of  the  same 
division  ascended  the  mountain  from  the  north  end ; and  about 
four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  General  Judah,  with  McLean’s  bri- 
gade, also  went  uj),  for  the  purpose  of  pushing  the  enemy  back  if 
possible  to  Buzzard’s  Roost.  General  Ilarker  advanced  to  within 
one  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy’s  temporary  breast-works.  But 
darkness  gathered  over  the  hostile  forces,  leaving  affairs  unchanged. 

About  half-past  ten  o’clock  the  following  morning.  May  9th, 
General  Schofield’s  command  was  moved  through  a gorge  of  the 
mountain,  to  attack  the  enemy  in  the  valley  east  of  their  strong- 
hold. The  second  division.  General  Judah  in  command,  led  the 


419 


liocky  Face  Fidge,  Ga. 

advance.  The  road  through  the  gorge  was  lined  with  a thick 
growth  of  timber;  but  emerged,  in  the  valley  beyond,  into  an  open 
country.  General  Hascall  advanced  his  skirmishers  toward  the 
open  tract,  and  placed  bis  brigade  in  two  lines  of  battle.  The  first 
brigade  was  formed  on  his  immediate  left;  and  General  Cox,  com- 
manding the  third  division,  moved  upon  the  left  ridge.  The  first 
division,  of  new  Indiana  troops,  was  held  in  reserve. 

The  enemy  occupied  the  loft  ridge;  and  opened  fire  upon  the 
skirmishers  as  they  deployed  and  rapidly  advanced  from  one  posi- 
tion to  another  across  the  field.  Their  supports,  however,  pressed 
forward  fearlessly,  with  banners  floating  gaily  upon  the  breeze; 
and  the  Union  troops  which  held  the  mountain  crest  cheered  loud 
and  long  as  they  saw  them  steadily  advancing — with  tlreir  regi- 
mental lines  drawn  out.  The  skirmishers  kept  the  rebel  pickets 
on  a lively  run.  Three  regiments  soon  reached  the  corner  of  the 
woods,  and  were  met  by  a murderous  volley  of  shot  and  shell  from 
the  enemy’s  battery  at  the  left.  They  held  their  position,  how- 
ever, like  veterans ; but  lay  down  in  line  till  a further  advance 
seemed  expedient. 

Shield’s  Nineteenth  Ohio  Battery  was  now  brought  up,  and 
opened  a vigorous  fire  upon  the  enemy’s  position;  but  no  response 
was  elicited  till  late  in  the  afternoon;  when  the  battery  again 
opened  and  swept  the  field  with  shot  and  sltcll.  -By  this  time  the 
Union  troops  had  advanced  through  the  woods  and  over  the  undu- 
lating slopes,  until  they  found  the  foe  in  formidable  nuinbor.s.  The 
opi)Osing  lino,  however,  was  steadily  pressed  back,  and  driven  to 
its  rifle-pits,  which  extended  from  the  fort  across  the  valley,  and 
thence  in  an  oblique  line  up  the  mountain,  as  far  as  the  earth- works 
upon  the  crest.  The  rebel  force  and  position  were  both  strong. 

General  llascall,  after  receiving  notice  of  intention  to  attack 
this  position,  immediately  pushed  a reconnoissance  close  up  to  the 
enemy’s  lines,  and  fully  ascertained  the  impregnable  cbaracter  of 
the  situation.  Enfilading  batteries  occupied  the  left,  high  up  the 
field,  which,  could  the  position  be  carried,  would  render  it  nearly 
impossible  to  bo  held.  The  fighting  was  still  going  on,  at  the  sum- 
mit of  Rocky  Face ; but  it  was  evident  that  the  Unionists  gained 
slowly.  Upon  further  consultation,  in  view  of  the  great  sacrifice 
of  life  the  assault  would  cost,  .and  the  uncertainty  of  being  able  to 
hold  the  point,  Gener.al  Schofield  decided  to  countermand  the 
order.  The  assdult  w.as  the  more  willingly  abandoned,  as  the  suc- 
cess of  the  right  lino  at  Buzzard’s  Roost  would  accomplish  the 


same  result  without  a very  heavy  loss  of  life.  Later  in  the  even- 
ing, General  Wagner  withdrew  his  brigade,  by  the  right  flank,  up 
the  slope  of  the  mountain.  The  enemy  supposing  that  their  oppo- 
nents were  retiring  from  the  front,  advanced  and  opened  a galling 
fire  upon  the  column,  and  made  frantic  efforts  to  turn  the  Union 
right,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  The  attempt  was  foiled,  how- 
ever, by  the  steadiness  and  courage  of  the  Federal  troops. 

Night  soon  closed  over  the  scene — the  lines  confronting  each 
other.  The  firing  gradually  ceased  on  the  right  and  left  wings. 
The  various  regimental  bands  broke  forth  in  martial  strains,  and 
the  hush  of  the  evening  hour  invited  to  rest  from  the  toilsome 
labors  of  the  day. 

The  generals  conferred  together  during  the  night,  and  agreed  to 
hold  the  position  and  await  results  on  the  right. 

While  events  had  thus  progressed  with  General  Schofield’s  corps 
on  Monday,  General  Hooker  had  encountered  severe  fighting  on 
the  mountain  crest.  After  skirmishing  heavily  all  the  fore  part  of 
the  day,  ho  finally  assaulted  the  enemy’s  position,  under  a murder- 
ous discharge  of  musketry  and  artillery.  The  rebel  line  was  car- 
ried, and  held  for  a few  minutes ; but  the  Unionists,  finding  them- 
selves exposed  to  a raking  tiro  from  a new  position  above,  were 
compelled  to  fall  back.  The  men  and  officers  behaved  with  the 
greatest  gallantry ; and  after  the  repulse,  maintained  their  own 
position,  though  still  subject  to  destructive  volleys.  Thus  ended 
the  engagement  of  Monday. 

At  dawn  on  Tuesday,  the  10th  instant,  firing  opened  anew  be- 
tween the  pickets  of  the  hostile  armies.  An  order,  however,  was 
soon  received  by  General  Schofield  to  withdraw  his  line  from  the 
valley,  and  take  position  to  co-operate  with  the  other  corps  under 
General  Thomas,  as  occasion  might  require.  Ilis  advance  into  the 
valley  on  the  east  of  Rocky  Face  had  amounted  merely  to  a recon- 
noissance  in  force,  and  had  determined  the  impregnability  of  the 
enemy’s  position  from  this  direction.  Shut  in  between  two  hills 
not  half  a mile  apart  which  the  rebels  had  occu|)icd  at  every  step 
by  batteries  and  lino  after  lino  of  rifle-pits,  extending  obliquely  ui) 
the  side  of  the  mountain,  an  advance  through  this  valley,  even 
were  the  first  line  of  defenses  to  bo  carried,  would  prove  almost 
certain  annihilation.  The  retrograde  movement  therefore  was  a 
dictate  of  the  highest  wisdom. 

Throughout  the  day,  however,  there  was  continued  skirmishing 
on  the  west  front  of  Rocky  Face.  The  Sixtieth  Illinois  Volunteers 


Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Vh,  421 

pushed  upward  toward  a position  at  the  south,  and  a portion  of  the 
troops  reached  within  fifty  yards  of  the  rebel  riflemen,  who  fell 
back  to  depressions  in  the  crest  ns  the  Union  troops  advanced. 
The  latter  finally  arrived  at  the  base  of  a perpendicular  clilT  which 
sheltered  them  from  the  fire  of  the  rebel  sharp-shooters,  but  where 
they  were  exposed  to  an  avalanche  of  huge  rolling  stones,  which 
falling  among  them  caused  considerable  loss.  Hero  they  remained 
some  time,  but  were  at  length  withdrawn.  « 

Irregular  skirmishing  was  kept  up  with  the  enemy  until  Thurs- 
day, for  the  purpose  of  occupying  their  attention  while  an  import- 
ant flank  movement  then  in  progress  was  successfully  executed. 
It  had  become  fully  apparent  that  Dalton  was  almost  if  not  quite 
impregnable  to  a front  attack.  The  operations  of  several  days, 
therefore,  in  the  Tunnel  Hill  valley,  along  the  west  slopes  of  Rocky 
Face,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Ruzzard’s  Roost,  wore  doubtless  in- 
tended by  General  Sherman  merely  to  divert  the  foe,  while  ho  was 
accomplishing  his  purpose  by  strategy.  * 

The  losses  in  this  series  of  skirmishes,  or  in  the  so-called  battle 
of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  were  almost  800  killed,  wounded,  aud  miss- 
ing— the  greater  number  being  but  slightly  wounded. 


SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE,  VA 

Mat  9 to  12,  1864. 

Unionists,  under  OeneraU  Grant  and  Meade,  about  185,000.  Losses,  probablt/ 
about  20,000. 

DisunionisU,  under  General  Lee,  estimated  at  105,000.  Killed  and  wounded 
nearly  16,000 ; prisoners,  about  6,000. 

As  the  main  body  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  pressed  forward 
from  the  Wilderness,  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  a part  of  the  troops 
stretched  across  and  occupied  Fredericksburg — the  Twenty-second 
New  York  Cavalry  entering  the  city  on  Saturday  evening,  May 
6th.  A depot  for  the  wounded  was  established  there,  and  a base 
of  supplies  arranged. 

Hancock’s  and  Burnside’s  corps  pushed  on  during  part  of  Satur- 
day night,  resuming  the  chase  again  at  early  dawn  on  Sunday 
morning,  and  camping  at  noon,  twenty  miles  southward  from  the 
recent  battle-field.  The  fifth  corps  had  remained  on  the  field  till 
dark ; but  marched  all  Saturday  night  toward  Spottsylvania, 
although  exhausted  by  the  events  of  the  four  days  and  nights  pre- 
ceding. After  leaving  Todd’s  Tavern  on  Sunday,  its  skirmishers, 


422 


f^pottsylvania  Court  Ilouse,  Va. 


consisting  of  Bartlett’s  brigade,  were  fired  upon  by  the  enemy.  A 
lino  of  battle  was  formed  in  a triangular  clearing,  by  the  two  ad- 
vance divisions,  Griffin’s  and  Kobinsou’s ; and  soon  after,  Craw- 
ford’s and  Cutler’s  (lately  Wadsworth’s)  divisions  came  up,  and  the 
battle  became  severe.  It  was  gallantly  fought  by  men  almost  ex- 
hausted with  marching  and  fighting.  General  Robinson  exhibited 
great  skill  and  energy  throughout,  and  was  wounded  severely  in 
the  knee.  300  of  the  Union  troops  were  placed  hors  du  combat. 
At  length  the  enemy  were  driven  ; but  the  march  of  the  Unionists 
was  temporarily  checked. 

Toward  evening,  General  Grant  determined  to  push  the  enemy 
again ; and  once  more  the  fifth  and  sixth  corps  began  a deafening 
roar  of  musketry,  Wright’s  division  being  in  advance.  During 
Sunday,  as  during  Saturday,  there  was  fighting  throughout  the 
army. 

On  Monday  there  was  comparative  quiet  in  the  morning,  then 
cannonading  and  skirmishing,  but  no  general  battle.  But  the 
Unionists  met  with  a severe  calamity  in  the  loss  of  General  Sedg- 
wick, who  was  killed,  by  a sharp-shooter,  while  superintending  the 
mounting  of  artillery.  He  was  the  oldest  of  the  corps  comman- 
ders of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  one  whose  personal  fame 
had  contributed  largely  to  the  reputation  of  that  valiant  host — the 
General  who  twice  had  been  offered  the  chief  command,  and  twice 
had  refused  it.  It  may  safely  be  said  that  the  army  had  suffered 
no  such  loss  before,  since  its  organization.  As  a general  he  stood 
alone — bis  military  talent  in  its  own  kind  without  a parallel.  He 
was  the  soldier  who  by  the  eager  testimony  of  all  who  knew  him 
was  most  distinguished  by  indomitable  tenacity  of  purpose,  and  by 
the  ability  to  do  more  with  a given  force  than  any  other  comman- 
der— to  carry  it  further  on  the  march,  to  hold  it  longer  against  an 
overwhelming  attack,  to  lead  it  more  surely  on  an  enterprise 
which  any  other  will  than  his  would  have  deemed  forlorn,  to  win 
victory  out  of  defeat,  and  to  cherish  a buoyant  hope  amid  the  most 
depressing  circumstances. 

Toward  dusk  on  Monday,  General  Grant  ordered  another  advance 
on  the  enemy.  Accordingly  the  second  corps,  now  forming  the 
right  of  the  Federal  line,  moved  out  with  Birney’s  and  Gibbon’s 
divisions  in  advance,  and  crossed  to  the  south  bank  of  a branch  of 
the  Po  River.  A severe  battle  occurred,  with  both  infantry  and 
artillery — the  rebels  and  Union  troops  alternately  charging.  Gen- 
eral Burnside,  on  the  extreme  left,  pushed  out  with  skirmislring 


Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va.  423 

and  reconnoissance.  At  the  close  of  the  night’s  attack,  the  enemy 
still  held  Si)ottsylvania  Court  House,  and  Hancock  slowly  retired 
his  brave  second  corps,  after  suffering  heavy  losses. 

On  Tuesday  the  incessant  storm  of  battle  culminated  in  the  most 
terrific  carnage  of  the  campaign.  The  Federal  army  at  dawn  oc- 
cupied essentially  the  same  position  as  on  Monday — the  lino  ex- 
tending about  six  miles  on  the  northerly  bank  of  the  Po,  and 
taking  the  general  form  of  a crescent,  the  wings  being  thrown  for- 
ward. Hancock,  having  crossed  the  Po  on  the  preceding  night, 
now  held  a line  on  the  right,  nearly  parallel  to  the  road  from 
Shady  Grove  Church  to  the  Court  House.  "Warren’s  corps  held 
the  center,  being  on  the  east  side  of  the  Po,  and  Wright’s  (lately 
Sedgwick’s)  corps  held  the  left,  facing  toward  the  Court  House. 
Farther  out  on  the  left  was  Burnside’s  corps.  Several  batteries 
covered  the  right  and  others  the  left  center.  In  front  was  a dense 
forest,  revealing  to  the  army  the  woods  of  the  Wilderness. 

The  rebels  still  held  Spottsylvania  and  the  region  north  of  the 
Court  House.  On  the  preceding  day,  their  left  was  understood  to 
rest  on  Glady  Eun,  sweeping  northward  and  sheltered  by  strong 
works.  Their  right  curved  in  a similar  direction  and  rested  on 
the  Ny  River,  and  their  center,  a little  thrown  forward  from  the 
right  and  left  center,  was  posted  on  commanding  ground.  Their 
position  was  welt  strengthened  by  breast-works,  and  along  their 
center  was  the  forest  and  underbrush  bordering  a marsh  partly 
drained  by  a run. 

In  the  morning  the  conflict  opened  by  a terrific  cannonade  of  the 
Federal  artillery  against  the  advancing  rebel  lines,  and  for  the  first 
time  in  the  campaign  this  arm  of  the  service  was  brought  into  full 
and  destructive  use.  Burnside’s  corps  next  cautiously  skirmished 
on  the  extreme  left,  and  Mott’s  division  of  the  second  corps  was 
transferred  to  the  left,  and  at  this  point  the  advance  continued. 

The  orders  for  the  battle,  however,  directed  the  chief  attack  to 
be  made  on  the  rebel  center.  Accordingly  Gibbon’s  and  Birney’s 
divisions  of  the  second  corps  were  drawn  back  from  the  other  side 
of  the  Po  to  connect  with  Warren.  Tlie  second  and  fourth  divi- 
sions of  the  fifth  corps  commenced  the  attack ; and  the  rest  of  the 
fifth  corps  and  the  two  reinforcing  divisions  of  the  second  then  ad- 
vanced, and  fought  with  great  tenacity  several  hours.  Sweeping 
down  upon  the  foe  with  irresistible  fury,  tliey  drove  him  to  his 
rifle-pits  and  maintained  an  obstinate  struggle  for  their  possession. 
But  their  valor  was  unavailing  before  the  thick  tempest  of  lead 


424 


Spottsylvania  Court  House.  Va. 

and  iron  wliicli  smote  against  their  ranks  with  appalling  destruc- 
tion. Gibbon’s  division  and  Carroll’s  brigade  sufi'ered  severely  in 
repeated  charges,  moving  into  the  very  jaws  of  death  with  a hero- 
ism which  commanded  the  highest  admiration.  Brigadier-General 
Rice,  a leader  of  true  soldierly  qualities,  whose  rank  had  been  con- 
ferred as  a reward  for  lieroic  services  on  numerous  battle-fields, 
was  killed  during  this  obstinate  struggle. 

The  check  of  the  center  placed  Barlow’s  division  (the  remaining 
one  of  the  second  corps,  on  the  right)  in  extreme  peril.  Orders 
were  given  therefore  to  withdraw  it  to  the  other  side  of  the  river. 
The  rebels,  however,  had  already  attacked  it  in  great  force,  and 
turned  its  exposed  flank.  Yet  its  withdrawal  was  at  length  effect- 
ed, and  the  stout-hearted  corps  still  maintained  its  desperate 
fighting. 

Toward  evening,  a most  gallant  and  energetic  assault  was  made 
by  the  whole  Union  lino.  Upton’s  and  Russell’s  brigades  of  the 
sixth  corps  moved  steadily  forward,  without  discharging  a shot,  in 
the  midst  of  a murderous  raking  fire  from  the  enemy,  scaled  their 
opponents’  works  in  gallant  style,  and  captured  more  than  1,000  of 
the  rebels  with  several  guns.  General  Upton,  however,  finding  his 
force  far  in  advance  of  the  main  army,  was  compelled  to  fall  back, 
with  Ins  prisoners,  from  the  daring  assault. 

As  in  the  previous  struggles,  night  closed  on  a hard-fought  hut 
indecisive  field.  The  Federal  loss  had  been  not  less  than  10.000 
men,  but  the  rebels  had  suffered  quite  as  severely. 

On*  Wednesday  morning  the  position  of  the  hostile  armies  was 
nearly  as  at  the  close  of  Tuesday’s  battle.  The  rebels  still  held  and 
covered  the  town  with  a crescent  line  formed  by  Hill’s  corps  on 
the  right,  Ewell’s  in  the  center,  and  Longstreet’s  on  the  left.  Their 
center  was  very  strong,  and  securely  posted,  with  rifle-pits  in 
front;  and  the  strip  of  forest  which  covered  it  was  well  guarded 
with  lines  of  skirmishers.  On  the  right,  left,  and  center  the  black 
muzzles  of  cannon  projecting  hero  and  there  showed  that  artillery 
was  advantageously  posted  wherever  it  could  bo  used.  Opposite 
the  rebel  position  the  Federal  line,  concaving  to  the  enemy,  was 
formed  with  Hancock’s  corps  on  the  right,  Warren’s  next  in  order, 
next  Wright’s,  and  lastly  Burnside’s  on  the  extreme  left. 

The  morning  opened  with  brisk  skirmishing,  the  Union  artillery 
covering  the  reconnoitering  movements.  Continual  watchfulness 
was  exercised  over  the  enemy’s  maneuvers.  His  efforts  were  mainly 
directed  to  strengthening  his  position,  and  ho  was  actively  employ- 


JS^yottsi/lvania  Court  House,  Va.  425 

ing  the  interval  between  the  engagements,  in  erecting  new  earth- 
works and  planting  new  abattis  in  the  woods,  in  support  of  the  de- 
fensive dispositions  which  he  had  long  ago  made  in  anticipation  of 
the  present  emergency.  To  prevent  the  accomplishment  of  the 
above  purpose,  the  Federal  batteries  played  into  the  woods,  at  in- 
tervals, throughout  the  day.  Early  in  the  forenoon  the  skirmishing 
was  sharp,  es[)ecially  upon  the  right  and  center,  and  a reconnois- 
sance  was  made  on  the  right  to  learn  the  condition  of  the  enemy’s 
left.  The  second  and  sixth  corps  made  ready  assaulting  columns, 
but  were  ordered  to  delay  their  attack.  It  subsequently  appeared 
that  the  preparation  of  these  columns,  whether  designed  as  a feint 
or  not,  misled  the  enemy  in  regard  to  the  real  point  of  attack — 
the  other  extremity  of  their  line  being  assailed  on  the  following 
day,  after  they  had  shifted  their  artillery,  much  to  their  own  dis- 
advantage, toward  the  point  threatened  on  Wednesday. 

About  noon  the  noise  of  skirmishing  died  away,  and  the  contrast 
between  the  comparative  quiet  and  the  roar  of  battle  on  Tuesday 
gave  currency  to  a groundless  rumor,  that  General  Lee  had  asked 
a cessation  of  hostilities  to  allow  of  burying  the  dead.  Occasional 
firing,  however,  both  of  artillery  and  infantry,  was  kept  up  till 
night.  During  the  afternoon  a grateful  thunder-storm  occurred, 
which  afforded  the  first  rain  since  the  opening  of  the  campaign — 
purifying  the  air  and  laying  tlie  suffocating  clouds  of  dust.  Soon 
lines  of  bivouac  fires  streamed  up  along  the  camps ; rations  were 
brought  out;  the  bands  played  patriotic  airs,  which  resounded 
clieerfully  through  the  forest;  and  there  was  for  the  first  time  a 
pause  in  the  heavy  marching  and  fighting.  At  this  interval  came 
the  news  of  Sheridan’s  brilliant  raid,  which  was  received  with  loud 
cheers  of  enthusiasm. 

It  having  been  determined  to  assault  the  rebel  works  on  Thurs- 
day morning,  the  second  corps  was  selected  to  make  the  attempt 
on  the  left,  where  the  rebel  batteries,  strongly  posted,  had  been  able 
to  annoy  the  Federal  lines  during  the  day.  Favored  by  the  storm 
and  darkness,  Hancock  shifted  his  corps,  not  long  after  midnight, 
from  the  extreme  right  to  the  ground  between  Generals  Wright 
and  Burnside — filling  up  the  space  previously  vacant.  the  close 

of  this  movement  (made  at  the  sacrifice  of  much  needed  rest),  the 
position  of  his  men  was  somewhat  perilous — being  near  ground 
well  commanded  by  the  enemy’s  guns,  and  therefore  requiring 
speedy  advance  in  the  morning.  Accordingly  at  dawn  of  d.ay, 
sheltered  by  the  dusk  and  by  a thick  fog,  the  second  corps  quietly 

21 


426 


Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 


and  cautiously  moved  up  from  its  position  to  the  enemy's  lines.  As 
the  men  surmounted  gradually  the  rugged  and  woody  space  which 
intervened,  the  excitement  increased,  till  it  broke  out  in  a splendid 
rush  at  the  rebel  intrenchments,  which  the  heroic  troops  leaped 
with  loud  cheers,  dashing  into  the  astonished  enemy,  and  compel- 
ling their  surrender  in  mass.  It  was  a gallant  charge  with  the 
bayonet,  hardly  a gun  being  fired.  It  was  a clear  surprise ; and 
might  have  been  more  fruitful,  but  for  the  cheering  of  some  of  the 
Union  soldiers  who  could  suppress  their  enthusiasm  no  longer.  As 
it  was,  an  entire  division  was  surrounded  and  captured — compris- 
ing 3,000  prisoners,  including  two  generals,  Major-General  Edward 
Johnson,  commanding  the  division,  and  Brigadier-General  G.  II. 
Stewart.  From  the  position  of  the  lines,  the  point  penetrated  ap- 
peared to  be  Ewell’s  right  and  Hill’s  left,  the  captured  division 
being  a part  of  Ewell’s  corps.  The  position  gained  was  a strong 
one,  and  most  important  to  hold — the  second  coi'[>3  being  a wedge 
between  the  enemy’s  center  and  right,  and  helping  to  press  aimrt 
the  dangerous  system  of  works  which  the  rebels  occupied.  So 
complete  was  the  8uri)riso,  that  the  rebel  oilicers  were  started  from 
breakfast  by  the  rude  intrusion  of  their  unwelcome  guests ; and  so 
rapid  w.as  the  concpiest,  that  in  an  hour  after  the  start  the  success- 
ful leader  was  able  to  send  the  following  dispatch  to  headquarters : 

“ I have  cai)tured  from  thirty  to  forty  guns,  I have  finished  up 
Johnson,  and  am  now  going  into  Early.  W.  S.  IIanoook.” 

No  sooner  w.as  the  first  line  of  rifle-pits  carried,  than  the  second 
was  stormed  with  great  impetuosity,  and  after  a stout  resistance 
wrested  from  the  enemy. 

The  charge  of  the  second  corps  was  followed  by  a heavy  can- 
nonade all  along  the  line,  to  which  the  enemy,  now  thoroughly 
awakened  and  exasperated,  replied  to  his  fullest  capacity.  In  the 
commingled  roar  the  whole  Federal  line  quickly  moved  up  to  the 
second  corps.  Burnside’s  corps  jjressed  in  on  the  extreme  left 
converging  toward  the  penetrated  si)ace,  and  speedily  joined  its 
right  to  Hancock’s  loft,  closing  the  g!ip,  and  uniting  the  flash  of  its 
musketry  in  one  continuous  line  with  that  of  the  second  corp.s. 
Wright’s  corps  also  threw  itself  against  Ewell’s  left;  and  on  the 
extreme  right,  AVarren’s  corps  became  hotly  engaged ; and  an  in- 
cessant rattle  and  roar  of  battle  arose  along  the  entire  line.  The 
rain  storm  of  the  preceding  day  began  again  with  greater  violence, 
but  did  not  cool  the  ardor  of  the  combatants. 

The  enemy  were  quickly  aroused  to  the  importance  of  the  posi- 


Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va. 


42? 


tion  they  had  lost,  and  about  nine  o’clock  began  to  charge  again 
and  again,  with  des()erate  fury,  upon  the  second  and  ninth  corps, 
in  attempts  to  repossess  their  works.  A most  sanguinary  conflict 
raged  for  three  hours,  without  intermission.  The  rebel  columns 
dashed  with  unflinching  resolution  against  the  Union  lines,  retiring 
each  time  with  their  huge  columns  winrowed  by  cross  and  enfilad- 
ing fires  of  artillery  and  musketry,  now  steadily  brought  to  bear 
upon  them. 

At  length  the  enemy,  surfeited  with  slaughter,  abandoned  for  a 
time  the  attempt  to  retake  the  prize  which  the  Federal  soldiers  had 
won  so  fairly  and  held  so  tenaciously.  But  the  farther  advance  of 
the  Unionists  was  successfully  disputed,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
captured  cannon  lay  covered  by  the  guns  of  the  sharp-shooters, 
neither  party  being  able  to  carry  them  off  the  field. 

Meanwhile,  farther  to  the  right,  tj^e  Union  right  and  center  had 
charged  the  enemy’s  works  with  great  gallantry,  emulating  and 
equaling  the  desperate  rushes  of  the  rebel  columns.  But  in  front, 
tl^e  enemy’s  position  wms  still  impregnable ; every  avenue  of  ap- 
proach being  swept  by  the  withering  fire  of  artillery,  and  their 
force  strong  enough  to  hold  the  position  against  twice  the  attack- 
ing numbers.  After  an  heroic,  though  futile  attempt,  the  design 
was  abandoned. 

General  Meade  finding  that  success  lay  most  clearly  in  turning 
the  enemy’s  right-rafter  a temporary  lull,  began  the  early  after- 
noon by  crowding  his  troops  down  toward  the  left,  shortening  and 
massing  his  line,  and  again  pouring  infantry  and  artillery  fire  into 
the  foe,  and  pressing  hard  upon  their  right  and  right  center.  The 
fearful  conflict  raged  with  varying  success  along  the  line,  the  re- 
sistance of  the  rebels  being  stubborn ; and  the  whole  field,  from 
headquarters  to  the  extreme  front,  being  at  times  swept  by  their 
fire.  The  enemy,  finding  that  the  Union  right  had  been  merely 
holding  their  forces  in  front,  and  thus  preventing  the  strengthening 
of  their  right,  and  that  the  Federal  troops  had  now  abandoned 
their  front,  also  concentrated  their  troops  at  the  important  point 
on  the  Union  left.  Every  inch  of  muddy  and  gory  soil  was  fought 
over  with  maddened  desperation,  and  yielded  when  only  impossible 
to  hold  it.  Neither  the  rain  nor  the  wretched  mire  of  the  roads 
delayed  the  rapidity  or  intensity  of  the  fight.  Tlio  rival  bayonets 
often  interlocked,  and  the  bloody  struggle  over  the  intreuchments 
lasted  for  hours.  At  times  the  rebel  battle-flags  surged  up  side  by 
side  with  those  of  their  antagonists ; and  anon,  torn  and  riddled. 


428 


Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Ya. 


they  were  borne  back  and  lost  to  view  in  the  woods.  Tlie  dead 
and  wounded  lay  thickly  strewn  along  the  ground,  and  where  the 
fight  was  deadliest,  were  literally  piled  in  heaps. 

On  the  extreme  left,  Burnside’s  corps  had  entered  the  fight  at 
daylight,  very  soon  after  Hancock’s  troops  became  engaged. 
Burnside’s  men  had  been  posted  across  the  Fredericksburg  turn- 
pike, facing  the  dense  thickets.  It  was  the  intention,  if  possible, 
to  turn  and  inclose  the  enemy’s  right  flank,  held  by  the  corps  of 
A.  P,  Hill,  The  fighting  in  the  morning  was  severe,  the  enemy 
being  strongly  protected  by  rifle-pits  and  the  dense  timbers.  But 
the  ninth  corps  steadily  pushed  on,  driving  the  rebels  gradually  into 
their  stronger  fortifications.  Here,  for  a time,  there  was  a check 
to  the  Union  advance.  During  the  afternoon,  the  heroic  ninth, 
however,  again  essayed  a movement  on  the  enemy’s  flank,  when 
the  fifth  and  sixth  corps  had  moved  down  from  the  right,  and 
massed  near  Hancock’s  strongTiold.  A sanguinary  contest  ensued. 
The  rebels,  anticipating  an  attempt  to  flank  them,  had  pre[)ared  a 
strong  counter-movement  on  their  extreme  right  and  in  spite  of 
desperate  opposition  bore  back  the  Federal  left.  Harland’s  brigail%,‘ 
however,  carried  off  300  prisoners,  and  placed  as  many  more  of  the 
enemy  hors  dii  comhat.  The  rebels  quickly  ruslied  on  in  pursuit; 
but  were  compelled  to  retreat,  with  great  loss,  by  a sweeping  artil- 
lery fire  from  batteries  brought  up  and  advantageously  posted  since 
the  advance  in  the  morning.  The  rest  of  the  ninth  corps  stood 
firm,  and  indeed  at  some  points  pressed  forward  with  irresistible 
force,  Griffin’s  brigade  on  the  right  was  reported  lo  have  rushed 
over  even  the  enemy’s  intrenchrnents.  Hard  fighting  continued, 
but  it  was  soon  obvious  that  no  more  ground  could  be  gained  on 
the  extreme  left.  The  fight  closed,  therefore,  with  the  Union 
forces  resolutely  holding  the  interval  which  they  had  traversed. 
The  corps  behaved  gallantly  and  suffered  severely,  the  chief  bur- 
den falling  on  Wilcox’s  division  on  the  left. 

After  fourteen  hours’  fighting,  night  fell  on  a battle  unsurpassed 
in  severity  in  the  history  of  the  war  ; for  the  first  time  in  the  cam- 
paign, a decided  success  was  achieved.  AVarren  and  AV right,  who 
moved  two  hours  after  Hancock,  had  not  advanced  on  the  enemy’s 
front;  but  this  was  not  expected,  since  the  position  at  that  point 
could  not  bo  carried.  On  the  extreme  left,  Burnside  had  hardly 
been  able  to  wrest  away  the  enemy’s  intrenchrnents,  but  had  gal- 
lantly swept  over  and  gained  much  ground  ; while  on  the  left  cen- 
ter Hancock  had  stormed  and  held  an  important  angle  of  the  enemy’s 


Sjjotts^lvania  Court  Ilouse^  Va.  429 

•works,  despite  all  their  frantic  efforts  to  reposess  it.  Official  dis- 
patches add  that  the  day’s  work  also  gave  the  Unionists  more  than 
3,000  prisoners  (augmenting  the  preceding  captures  to  7,500  men), 
also  two  general  officers,  and  eighteen  pieces  of  artillery  actually 
brought  into  the  Federal  lines.  Between  forty  aud  fifty  pieces  had 
been  at  one  time  ca[)tured  ; but  the  remainder  rested  on  debatable 
ground,  and  wore  subsequently  withdrawn  by  the  enemy. 

The  Unionists  suffered  a fearful  loss — perhaps  10,000  in  killed 
and  wounded,  but  the  casualties  of  the  enemy  were  not  less.  Above 
all,  the  brilliant  dash  of  the  morning  secured  a strong  grasp  on  the 
enemy’s  left  center,  and  an  advance  of  a mile  to  the  Union  line. 
Five  determined  assaults  were  made  during  the  day  to  expel  the 
Federal  troops  ; but  all  were  fruitless.  No  more  gallant,  desperate, 
or  long-continued  fighting,  on  either  side,  for  the  possession  of  in- 
treuchrnents,  had  occurred  during  the  war;  while  tlie  severity  of 
wounds  gave  proof  of  something  mOro  than  musketry  firing. 

Unsatisfied  with  the  long-continued  struggle,  here  and  there,  dur- 
ing the  night,  detachments  of  troops  again  fell  on  each  other.  The 
prize  was  the  possession  of  the  cannon  still  covered  by  rifle-pits. 
The  enemy  also  chose  to  demonstrate,  in  order  to  cover  their  con- 
templated change  of  position  and  the  erection  of  new  works. 

Friday  morning,  at  early  dawn,  the  Union  skirmishers  pushed 
out  ready  for  fresh  attack.  It  was  soon  obvious,  however,  that  tlie 
enemy  had  prudently  withdrawn  his  main  force  on  the  Union  left, 
leaving  only  a lino  of  skirmishers  there;  and  had  fallen  back  to  a 
new  defensive  position,  a little  retired  from  the  one  to  which  the 
Federal  colors  were  victoriously  carried  on  the  previous  day.  The 
intervening  woody  ground  was  at  once  possessed  by  the  Union 
troops,  and  heaps  of  lifeless  bodies  were  the  ghastly  monuments  of 
the  field,  now  indisputably  theirs.  But  the  storm,  which  had  not 
checked  the  fury  of  the  battle,  began  to  present  obstacles  to  a rapid 
advance  in  force.  The  roads  were  in  a wretched  condition,  wholly 
impracticable  for  artillery  and  wagons.  Nothing  remained  but  to 
occupy  the  day  in  feeling  the  new  location  of  the  enemy,  in  skir- 
mishing with  his  rear,  and  in  preparing  for  future  onsets.  The 
Unionists  moved  promptly  and  decisively,  and  ascertained  that  the 
enemy,  having  withdrawn  a short  distance,  was  again  hard  at  work 
fortifying.  'While  the  achievement  of  Hancock  forced  this  retro- 
gression, it  was  also  necessitated  by  the  decimation  in  battle  of  the 
enemy’s  troops,  now  no  longer  able  to  hold  so  extended  a line  of  de- 
fense as  before.  Retreating  in  good  order,  he  soon  halted  and 


430 


Central  Virginia. 


compacted  bis  troops  on  a narrower  line.  Friday,  in  the  main, 
however,  was  a day  of  quiet.  Slight  skirmishing  occurred,  as  we 
liave  said,  hut  long- needed  rest  came  to  a great  part  of  the  army. 
The  latter  portion  of  the  day  was  rainy,  and  the  storm  increased  at 
its  close.  The  trooj)s  not  engaged,  however,  found  enough  to  do  in 
the  sad  oflice  of  burying  their  dead  comrades  and  relieving  the 
wounded.  At  noon  a congratulatory  order  was  issued  from  Gen- 
eral ileade’s  headquarters,  praising  the  heroism  of  the  troops,  ask- 
ing equal  valor  for  the  future,  and  stating  tlie  achievements  of  the 
campaign,  as  follows : 

“ For  eight  days  and  nights,  almost  without  intermission,  in  rain 
and  sunshine,  you  have  been  gallantly  lighting  a desperate  foe,  in 
positions  naturally  strong  and  rendered  doubly  so  by  intrenchments. 

“You  have  compelled  him  to  abandon  his  fortifications  on  the 
Eapidan,  to  retire  and  attempt  to  stop  your  onward  progress;  and 
now  he  has  abandoned  the  lalt  intrenched  position  so  tenaciously 
held — suirering  in  all,  a loss  of  eighteen  guns,  twenty-two  colors, 
and  8,000  prisoners,  including  two  general  officers.” 

Note. — See  continuation  of  the  Battles  of  Spottsylvania  Court 
House  on  page  33G. 


CENTRAL  VIRGINIA. 

(siiekidan’s  raid.) 

^ May  9 to  13, 1864. 

Union  cavah'y  forcty  under  Otnernl  Sheridan.,  three  divUitms.  Killed  mid 
■wounded,  250 ; -prisonemy  100. 

KisunioniatSy  under  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  and  other  leaders.  Killed  and 
wounded,  not  reported  ; prisoners,  500. 

During  the  advance  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  it  having 
been  determined  to  make  a raid  in  the  enemy’s  rear.  General  Sher- 
idan’s cavalry  set  out  for  this  purpose  at  daylight  on  Monday,  the 
Dth  of  May.  The  march  was  first  toward  Fredericksburg ; but, 
when  about  three  or  four  miles  from  the  town,  the  column  turned 
to  the  right  on  the  Fredericksburg  and  Childsburg  road,  and  trav- 
eling southerly  on  this  route,  passed  round  the  enemy’s  right  flank 
to  the  south  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  toward  Childsburg,  at 
which  latter  point  the  advance  halted.  Starting  thence  on  the 
same  road,  they  reached  and  forded  the  North  Anna  River  at  An- 
derson’s Bridge,  two  miles  below  Beaver  Dam  Station,  about  dusk. 
Custer’s  brigade  of  the  first  division  immediately  occupied  the  sta- 
tion, and  there  was  fortunate  enough  to  overhaul  a train  of  378 


Central  Yinjinia. 


431 


of  the  Union  wounded  and  jirisonors.  The  small  guard  was  dis- 
persed, and  a joyful  rescue  ensued. 

The  command  now  quickly  fired  the  trains,  destroying  two  loco- 
motives and  three  long  lines  of  cars,  with  a large  quantity  of  bacon, 
meal,  flour,  and  other  supplies  for  Lee's  army.  Eight  miles  of  the 
railroad  connecting  Richmond  witli  Gordonsvillo  wore  demolished. 
The  ties  and  bridges  were  burned,  and  tlie  rails  twisted  so  as  to 
make  the  work  etfectual.  Meanwhile  the  rebels,  learning  what 
was  going  on  in  front,  harassed  the  Union  flank  and  rear,  in  strong 
force.  Tlie  Sixth  Ohio,  in  the  extreme  rear,  was  roughly  handled, 
and  many  of  them  wounded  and  captured  by  a vigorous  charge 
straight  through  their  columns.  The  First  New  Jersey  supported 
them,  and  the  rebels  were  finally  driven  off.  The  column  bivou- 
acked on  both  sides  of  the  North  Anna,  the  enemy  keeping  up 
their  skirmishing  through  the  night. 

On  Tuesday,  May  10th,  the  rebels  began  to  shell  the  camp ; and 
the  troops  moved  directly  south,  but  found  the  foe  confronting  the 
advance  force.  The  column  pushed  on,  however,  and  at  night 
camped  near  Goodall’s,  the  foe  continuing  their  molestations  as  on 
the  previous  night.  At  three  o’clock  on  the  following  morning. 
General  Davies’  first  brigade  wms  dispatched  to  Ashland  Station, 
seven  miles  to  the  east,  on  the  Richmond,  Fredericksburg,  and  Po- 
tomac Railroad.  The  First  Massachusetts,  reaching  the  train  at 
daylight,  charged  through  it,  driving  the  rebel  cavalry  before  them. 
They  then  fired  the  depot  and  destroyed  stores  in  considerable 
quantity,  six  miles  of  railroad,  three  culverts,  two  trestle-bridges, 
several  government  buildings,  a locomotive,  and  three  trains  of 
cars.  On  their  return,  they  encountered  a severe  fire,  and  left 
about  thirty  men  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Meantime  the  ad- 
vance had  pushed  on  with  its  w'ork  of  destruction.  As  it  ap- 
proached Richmond,  the  column  found  its  march  disputed  stub- 
bornly. At  length  the  rebel  cavalry  concentrated,  under  General 
J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  and  made  a furious  attack  upon  General  Devens’ 
brigade,  which  led  the  van.  A spirited  and  sharply  contested  en- 
gagement ensued,  two  other  brigades  coming  up  in  support.  Wil- 
son’s division  soon  arrived,  and  the  enemy  were  forced  to  retire. 

A detachment,  meanwhile,  moving  down  the  Brook  road,  entered 
the  picket  defenses  of  Richmond.  This  rebel  line  was  taken  by  a 
gallant  charge' of  General  Custer,  w'ho  rode  at  the  liead  of  his  bri- 
gade. Here  a section  of  artillery  and  100  prisoners  fell  into  the 
Lauds  of  the  Unionists.  The  enemy  also  sustained  an  irreparable 


432  Fort  Darling^  Fa. 

loss  in  the.  death  of  General  Stuart,  their  great  cavalry  leader,  ona 
of  the  most  esteemed  and  admired  officers  in  the  Confederate 
service. 

During  the  night  of  the  11th,  the  third  division  made  some  re- 
conuoissances  around  the  second  line  of  the  rebel  works;  but  find- 
ing them  very  strong,  no  further  advance  was  attempted  in  that 
direction,  and  the  troops  turned  next  morning  toward  Meadow 
Bridge,  on  the  Chickahorainy.  They  found  the  bridge  cut;  but  re- 
built it,  under  a galling  fire.  The  foe  assailed  both  front  and  rear. 
Generals  Gregg  and  Wilson,  however,  succeeded  in  repulsing  them 
in  the  rear;  and  the  bridge  being  finished  the  force  crossed  over. 
They  continued  their  march  during  the  day,  and  toward  evening 
encamped  at  Gaines’  Mills.  The  following  day  they  reached  Bot- 
tom’s Bridge,  and  thence  the  column  proceeded  to  Turkey  Bend, 
where  they  halted  and  received  supplies  from  Butler. 

The  rebels  lost  600  men  who  were  taken  prisoners,  and  a largo 
number  of  killed  and  wounded.  Their  loss  in  officers  was  very 
heavy.  The  Union  casualties  were  250  killed  and  wounded,  and 
100  prisoners.  The  raid  was  eminently  successful,  and  reflected 
great  credit  upon  General  Sheridan  and  the  several  division  and 
brigade  commanders.  The  amount  of  Confederate  property  de- 
stroyed was  valued  at  $10,000,000. 


— 

FOET  DAELING,  VA. 

Mat  12  to  16,  1861. 

TfnionietSy  under  General  Butler ^ about  20,000.  Killed^  wounded^  and  misfdngty 
about  6,000. 

BisunionistSy  under  General  Beauregardy  stated  at  20,000.  Losses  reported  to 
exceed  those  ojthe  Unionists. 

On  Thursday,  May  12th,  a heavy  force  under  Generals  Gillmoro 
and  Smith  was  sent  out  to  cover  the  movements  of  General  Kautz's 
cavalry  expedition,  which  was  directing  its  eftbrts  against  the  Kich- 
mond  and  Danville  Railroad,  for  the  puipose  of  severing  commu- 
nication between  those  points.  Leaving  a sufficient  force  under 
General  Ames  to  watch  the  enemy  at  Petersburg,  General  Gillmore 
advanced  with  his  corps,  on  the  Union  left,  up  the  railroad  toward 
Chester  and  Richmond.  General  Smith’s  command  pushed  on  in 
the  same  direction  on  the  right,  up  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg 
turnpike,  between  the  railroad  and  the  James  River. 


435 


Fort  Darling,  Fa. 


A little  above  Werbottom  Cburcli,  General  Smith’s  skirmishers 
met  the  enemy  and  drove  them  back  a mile  or  more.  Coinin';  to 
bay  at  last  in  a stronger  position,  the  enemy  made  a determined 
stand,  and  a sharp  engagement  ensued,  the  foe  being  finally  driven 
back.  Continuing  the  skirmishing  till  dark,  the  troops  under  Gen- 
eral Smith  advanced  that  night  as  far  as  Proctor’s  liun,  a small 
stream  three  miles  from  Fort  Darling,  and  within  sight  of  that 
fortification. 

In  the  interim.  General  Gillmore  had  taken  advantage  of  the  oc- 
cupation of  the  enemy’s  attention  by  General  Smith,  and  pressed 
forward  on  the  left  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  llalf-way  Ilouse, 
where  his  command  halted  for  the  night. 

On  the  following  morning,  the  rebels  were  found  to  have  disap- 
peared from  the  front,  and  a general  advance  was  ordered  along 
the  line  to  uncover  their  position,  which  was  concealed  by  the 
woods  and  growth  of  underbrush.  They  were  soon  discovered,  in 
strong  force,  under  the  protection  of  their  fortifications,  subse- 
quently found  to  consist  of  a line  of  earth- works  several  miles  in 
extent.  These  constituted  the  outer  line  of  defenses  of  Fort  Dar- 
ling ; and  here  the  enemy  retired,  after  some  sharp  skirmishing.  It 
was  determined  to  dislodge  them  from  this  position  by  turning  the 
works  on  the  left.  Briskly  engaging  the  enemy  in  heavy  skirmish- 
ing along  the  whole  line,  the  Union  left  was  ordered  to  swing 
around  upon  the  center  and  right,  while  a largo  body  of  troops  was 
sent  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  rebel  works.  Unobserved  by 
the  foe,  whose  attention  was  directed  to  the  demonstration  in  front, 
the  flanking  column  wound  through  the  woods,  guided  by  a negro 
along  a bridle-path  which  led  slightly  to  the  left  of  the  outer  edge 
of  the  fortifications. 

At  this  point,  under  cover  of  the  woods,  they  charged  up  a steep 
hillside,  and  across  an  open  space  some  twenty  or  thirty  rods  in 
width,  in  the  face  of  a murderous  volley  of  musketry.  Before  an- 
other volley  could  be  discharged,  the  rebels  were  driven  from  their 
position,  which  the  Union  soldiers  immediately  occupied,  capturing 
thirty  prisoners.  The  Union  loss  in  this  affair  was  stated  at  130. 

The  next  morning,  Saturday  the  14th,  the  enemy,  under  cover 
of  a vigorous  demonstration,  abandoned  the  entire  lino  of  fortifica- 
tion, and  withdrew  to  a second  lino  of  works.  The  works  which 
they  abandoned  were  described  as  very  strong,  the  ])arapet  being 
ten  feet  thick,  with  innumerable  embrasures  for  field  artillery. 

General  Butler  immediately  brought  his  artillery  to  bear  upon  the 


436  Fort  Darling^  Fa. 

rebels  in  their  new  position.  The  batteries,  aided  hj  sharp-slioot- 
ers,  silenced  the  enein3'’s;  and  nothing  hut  sharp-shooting  was  heard 
from  the  foe  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  At  four  i-.m.  a shot 
from  one  of  the  Union  guns  exploded  a magazine  in  the  outer  works 
of  Fort  Darling,  causing  a great  cheering  along  the  lines.  About 
nine  o’clock  in  the  evening,  the  rebels  advanced  on  the  Union  ranks 
near  the  Petersburg  turnpike;  hut  after  a brief  and  spirited  con- 
test, were  driven  hack  within  their  intrenchments. 

About  noon,  on  the  15tli,  they  again  came  out  of  their  fortifica- 
tions, and  attacked  Heckman’s  brigade.  The  fight  was  entirely 
with  musketry,  and  lasted  till  four  o’clock.  The  enemy  were  again 
driven  hack  to  their  works.  Sharp-shooting  was  continued  along 
the  lines,  and  the  rebel  artillery  remained  silent.  At  daylight  on 
the  IGth  the  sortie  was  repeated.  The  enemy,  massing  his  troops 
against  the  Union  right  wing  (at  that  time  the  vulnerable  point), 
hurst  upon  Heckman’s  brigade;  and  in  the  blinding  fog  and  dark- 
ness, a terrific  conflict  ensued.  Borne  down  at  length  by  over- 
whelming numbers,  the  gallant  brigade  fell  to  the  rear.  At  this 
juncture.  Colonel  Drake's  brigade  came  to  the  rescue ; and  by 
desperate  figliting,' for  a time  stayed  the  tide  of  the  enemy.  Two 
brigades  of  Weitzel’s  division  were  also  attacked  with  great  fury. 
But,  in  their  front,  General  Smith  liad  caused  a telegraph  wire  to 
be  intertwined  with  the  heavy  undergrowth ; and  the  enemy, 
stumbling  over  it,  were  repulsed  with  heavy  slaughter.  The  same 
defense  was  to  have  been  extended  to  the  right,  but  the  order 
failed  to  be  transmitted  in  season.  On  the  Union  left,  there  was  a 
simultaneous  attack,  and  two  brigades  of  Terry’s  division  met 
with  heavy  loss.  But  the  fighting  was  chiefly  on  the  right. 

Toward  eight  o’clock  there  was  a cessation  of  hostilities ; and  an 
attempt  was  made  to  shorten  thq  Federal  line,  and  re-form  it  by 
moving  up  the  left  to  the  assistance  of  the  center — troops  from  the 
latter  having  been  dispatched  to  the  right.  General  Gdlmore  re- 
tired from  his  favorable  position  on  tlie  left,  though  not  until  the 
order  to  do  so  had  been  repeated.  The  turnpike  having  been  seized 
by  tlie  enemy,  another  road  had  to  be  cut,  to  effect  the  withdrawal. 
Meanwhile,  the  flanking  advantage  of  the  enemy  was  so  decided, 
that  the  line  was  temporarily  retired,  and  re-formed  about  a mile 
in  the  rear,  Gillmore  holding  the  enemy  in  check,  and  advancing  up 
toward  the  old  line,  the  foe  falling  back.  A retreat  was  again 
ordered,  and  the  Union  forces  retired  without  confusion  and  with- 
out molestation,  the  eighteenth  corps  in  advance  and  the  tenth 


Itesaca^  Ga. 


437 


protecting  the  rear.  TVhile  tlic  firing  was  going  on  in  front,  a vig- 
orous attempt  was  made  to  get  into  tlie  Union  rear,  over  a road 
guarded  by  Ames’  third  division  of  the  tentli.  The  efibrt  was  at 
length  repulsed ; though  another  road  had  to  be  cut  in  the  rear, 
for  the  withdrawal  of  the  Federal  troops.  The  total  Union  loss 
was  nearly  5,000  men,  a great  portion  of  them  being  captured  on 
the  right,  from  Heckman’s  brigade.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
supposed  to  be  much  greater.  « 


RESACA,  GA. 

Mat  13  to  16, 1664. 

Unionists^  under  General  SJut'many  nearly  100,000.  KiUedy  700  ; woundedy  about 
2,S00. 

DisunianistSy  under  General  Joe  Johnetony  55,000.  ZosseSy  not  reported. 

TiTniLE  the  engagements  previously  narrated  were  in  progress  at 
Buzzard’s  Boost,  General  McPherson  with  his  corps  had  executed 
a successful  flank  movement  to  Snake  Creek  Gap — which  opens 
upon  Eesaca,  fifteen  miles  south  of  Dalton.  As  soon  as  it  became 
evident  that  his  advance  toward  Eesaca  rendered  unnecessary  any 
attemj)t  to  approach  Dalton  through  its  almost  impregnable  de- 
fenses at  Buzzard’s  Boost,  General  Howard,  with  two  divisions, 
was  left  to  divert  the  rebels  there,  while  the  rest  of  General  Sher- 
man’s army  were  put  in  motion  toward  Snake  Creek  Gap. 

Friday,  the  13th  inst.,  was  occupied  by  the  army  in  deploying 
thi^ough  the  gap  and  taking  position  in  Sugar  Valley,  just  beyond. 
Heavy  infantry  skirmishing  also  took  place  during  the  day,  with 
some  loss,  particularly  in  the  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  corps.  As  the 
result  of  this  skirmishing,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy  was 
in  force  in  front,  having  evidently  lost  no  time  in  falling  back  from 
Dalton,  upon  discerning  the  movement  on  his  flank. 

During  the  afternoon,  the  Union  troops  were  rapidly  put  into 
position,  facing  the  enemy.  General  Sherman’s  lines  extended 
completely  around  the  valley  for  a distance  of  seven  miles,  th.e 
right — under  McPherson — resting  on  the  Oostanaula  Eiver,  and  the 
left — under  Schofield — striking  the  river  north  of  Tilton,  near  the 
junction  of  Swamp  Creek.  The  center  was  occupied  by  the  Army, 
of  the  Cumberland,  under  General  Thomas.  Besides  the  protection 
of  the  river,  the  Union  flanks  were  covered  by  heavy  bodies  of 
cavalry.  By  the  extension  of  his  left  to  Tilton,  Genenal  Sherman 
was  able  to  open  communication  with  General  Howard,  who  had 


438 


llesaca,  Ga. 


followed  the  retreating  enemy  from  Dalton.  Active  skirmishing 
commenced  at  three  o’clock  p.m.  ; when  a reconnoissance  hy  Gene- 
ral Palmer  discovered  the  enemy’s  position  in  front  of  Resaca, 
which  is  situated  in  a peninsula  formed  by  the  bend  of  the  river. 
Here  the  rebels  had  erected  a line  of  earth-works,  behind  which 
they  lay,  their  flanks  resting  on  the  river — General  Howe  being  in 
command  of  their  right  wing.  General  Polk  of  the  left,  and  Gen- 
eral Hardee  of  the  Renter.  Friday  night  was  spent  by  the  enemy 
in  still  further  strengthening  their  earth-works. 

Saturday  morning,  klay  14th,  opened  with  skirmishing,  which 
continued  throughout  the  day,  with  occasional  attom])ts  to  break 
the  enemy’s  linos  at  different  points, — General  Sherman’s  main  ob- 
ject being  to  turn  the  rebel  flanks,  so  as  to  prevent  their  retreat. 
Owing  to  their  strong  position,  this  was  found  impossible.  The 
heaviest  fighting  occurred  on  the  Union  left  center,  where  Palmer 
made  a des[)erate  effort  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  his  stronghold. 
The  line  of  advance  was  over  hills  and  through  ravines  thickly 
wooded  and  filled  with  undergrowth  of  fallen  trees,  which  so  ob- 
structed the  progress  of  the  column  that  it  did  not  get  fairly  under 
way  till  about  mid-day.  On  reaching  the  crest  of  the  hill,  over- 
looking the  valley  beyond,  the  troops  came  in  full  sight  of  the 
enemy  on  the  opposite  hill,  and  found  themselves  in  point-blan’ii 
range  of  their  guns  at  a distance  of  not  over  500  to  600  yards. 
The  hill  on  which  the  Union  troops  were  posted  overlooked  that 
occupied  by  the  foe,  being  fifty  feet  higher  than  theirs,  and  fulling 
away  at  a very  steep  angle,  for  about  150  feet. 

Tlie  rebels  immediately  opened  upon  the  entire  line  with  mus- 
ketry and  artillery.  The  order  was  given  to  charge,  and  forward 
rushed  the  impetuous  troops — -a  tempest  of  grape,  canister,  and 
musketry  pouring  upon  them.  Several  of  the  oflacers  dismounted 
at  the  summit  of  the  hill,  it  being  next  to  impossible  to  ride  down. 
Many  a brave  warrior  fell  while  descending  the  slope.  The  first 
and  second  brigades  reached  the  flat,  their  ranks  considerably 
thinned.  Five  rods  from  the  brow  of  the  hill,  the  lino  reached  a 
creek,  the  edges  of  which  were  lined  by  a thick  copse  of  willow, 
and  the  opposite  bank  interlaced  with  grape-vine,  woodbrier,  and 
other  entanglements.  Here  the  line,  being  interrupted,  was  tem- 
porarily broken.  Men  by  the  score  fell  dead  or  wounded  ; many 
stuck  fast  in  the  miry  hottoin  of  the  creek,  and  were  unable  to  ex- 
tricate themselves ; while  others,  wounded  by  the  flying  missiles, 
fell  and  were  drowned.  The  banks  were  too  low  to  shelter  them 


liesaca,  Ga.  439 

from  the  plunging  fire.  The  few  who  struggled  madly  through  the 
creek  with  its  obstructions  instantly  fell  under  the  murderous  fire, 
as  they  advanced  into  the  open  fields. 

The  two  brigades  remained  in  and  along  the  line  of  the  creek 
for  an  hour,  making  little  use  of  their  arms ; for  when  they  at- 
tempted to  load,  the  breeches  of  their  guns  were  submerged,  and 
the  charge  thus  rendered  useless.  They  were  at  length  recalled  to 
the  orest  of  tlie  hill, — moving  along  the  creek  by  the  flank,  until 
they  reached  the  point  nearest  the  base  of  the  hill,  when  they  went 
to  the  crest  and  re-formed.  Mere  fragments  of  the  regiments  emer- 
ged from  this  pit  of  destruction.  The  second  brigade  w^ent  into 
the  contest  with  1,300  men;  they  brought  out  only  675.  The  re- 
port of  killed  and  wounded  in  the  division  principally  engaged 
amounts  to  755. 

After  re-forming.  General  Judah  again  ordered  the  second  brigade 
to  advance.  The  troops  were  led  forward  into  the  same  position 
from  which  they  had  been  withdrawn,  with  orders  to  remain  there 
until  the  artillery  could  bo  brought  forward.  They  remained  an 
hour  ; when,  as  the  batteries  did  not  arrive,  they  withdrew  to  the 
top  of  the  hill.  During  this  movement,  the  enemy’s  attention  was 
occupied  by  General  Cox,  on  the  immediate  left.  Crossing  the  low 
ground  upon  the  road  leading  to  the  loft,  his  troops  advanced  under 
cover  of  the  woods,  directly  toward  the  rebel  right,  which  was 
flanked  by  a long  ravine  running  back  toward  Resaca.  This  entire 
slope  was  covered  with  successive  lines  of  rifle-pits,  and  there  was 
also  an  earth- work  having  tliree  faces  at  the  entrance  of  the  ravine, 
which  opposed  their  march  with  grape  and  canister.  The  Union- 
ists steadily  advanced  under  a heavy  fire,  and  gallantly  carried  the 
outer  line  of  the  enemy’s  rifle-pits;  but  being  subjected  to  an  en- 
filading fire,  and  being  destitute  of  support,  they  retired  under  a 
furious  storm  of  grape,  shell,  and  musketry.  They  sought  shelter 
in  the  woods  skirting  the  valley,  still  maintaining  a vigorous  fire 
upon  the  foe.  The  losses  of  this  division  were  reported  to  be  large 
in  both  oflTicers  and  men. 

At  three  o’clock  p.m.  the  fourih  corps  were  seen  moving  from 
right  to  left,  under  cover  of  the  hills,  upon  the  double-quick.  They 
suddenly  halted,  formed  in  two  lines,  and  were  soon  lost  to  view  in 
the  dense  woods,  advancing  to  the  attack.  The  twentieth  corps 
also  moved  in  the  same  direction.  About  five  o’clock  p.m.  the-eev 
cral  batteries  were  put  in  position  along  the  different  spurs  of  hills, 
and  directed  their  fire  upon  the  enemy,  who  replied  with  shell  and 


440 


liesaca,  Ga. 


solid  sliot.  Tlie  fourtli  iirmy  corps  relieved  a part  of  the  twenty- 
third  corps  during  the  iifteriiooii.  They  were  actively  engaged 
tliroiigh  the  remainder  of  the  day,  and  sustained  severe  loss.  With 
varying  success,  the  lines  of  the  two  armies  swayed  back  and  forth 
till  sunset;  when  the  fire  of  the  enemy  slackened  for  a time,  only 
to  be  renewed  soon  after,  in  a fierce  assault  upon  the  Union  troops. 
The  attack  fell  upon  Stanley’s  division,  which  after  a stubborn  re- 
sistance retired  in  confusion.  The  enemy’s  design  fortunately  had 
been  anticipated,  and  General  Hooker  ordered  to  the  support  of  the 
left  wing.  The  situation  was  for  a moment  critical ; but  the  arri- 
val of  the  supporting  column  checked  the  foe  in  his  triumphant 
advance,  and  comi)elled  him  in  turn  to  retire,  after  a brief  engage- 
ment which  closed  with  the  day. 

While  the  rebel  troops  were  making  this  movement  against  the 
Union  left,  McPlierson  assailed  their  extreme  left  in  front'  of  Ee- 
saca.  Under  the  cover  of  ai  tillery  and  a heavy  line  of  skirmishers, 
I.ogan’s  corps  crossed  Oam[)  Creek  ; and  making  a bold  chargo 
upon  the  enemy,  drove  them  from  their  rifle-i)its,  and  secured  a po- 
sition which  enabled  him  to  direct  a destructive  enfilading  fire  upon 
the  rebel  works.  An  hour  later  the  foe  made  a desperate  but 
fruitless  effort  to  regain  their  works.  Saturday  night  was  occupied 
by  both  armies  in  strengthening  their  positions,  and  in  making  fur- 
ther dispositions  of  troops — those  who  had  been  actively  engaged 
during  the  day  being  relieved  by  fresh  men  from  the  rear. 

Sunday  morning  dawned  with  clouds  and  heavy  mist,  and  the 
skirmishing  was  not  resumed  till  eight  o’clock;  when  the  opposing 
lines  again  renewed  their  work,  under  cover  of  which  the  Union 
troops  were  massed  on  the  left  for  an  attack  upon  the  enemy’s  ex- 
treme right.  General  Hooker,  directing  the  assault,  selected  Gen- 
eral Butterfield’s  division  as  the  storming  column,  to  he  sup- 
ported by  the  divisions  of  Geary  and  Williams.  Forming  under 
cover  of  a ravine  in  the  fore.st,  the  troops  advanced  without  skir- 
mishers, taking  the  enemy  at  first  by  surprise  and  sweeping  every- 
thing before  them  ; until,  with  the  aid  of  their  supports,  they  had 
secured  a lodgment  in  front  of  one  of  the  enemy’s  strongest  posi- 
tions. Here  they  were  sheltered,  while  the  right  and  left  flanks  of 
the  work  were  raked  by  the  Union  fire  and  the  guns  silenced.  The 
first  line  of  rifle-pits  was  carried  and  held.  At  night  a successful 
attenjpt  was  made  to  withdraw  four  guns  which  formed  the  arma- 
ment of  an  earth  work  on  one  of  the  hills,  where  a lodgment  had 
been  effected.  The  enemy  were  aroused  and  opened  fire;  the  Federal 


441 


Kcwmarlcct^  Vci. 


artillery  and  infantry  responded  vigorously  and  with  telling  effect. 
Later  in  the  night  the  enemy  made  good  his  escape — leaving,  in  his 
precipitate  flight,  the  killed  and  wounded  in  the  hands  of  the 
Unionists. 

The  Federal  loss  in  this  series  of  engagements  was  estimated  at 
700  killed,  and  about  2,800  wounded ; nearly  half  the  number 
were  but  slightly  injured,  and  soon  reported  for  duty.  Many  of  tho 
enemy  were  captured,  and  largo  numbers  killed  and  wounded. 


NEWMAEKET,  VA. 

Mat  15,  1804. 

VnionifitSy  'under  General  Slgel^  'numhers  not  reported,  97 ; wounded 

440;  missing^  225,  including  150  wounded  ; total  camaliite^  7C2. 

Diauniontde^  under  General  Breckinridge^  10,000  to  15,000.  Killed^  wounded^  and 
pHsonersi  a5a«n,000. 

A PORTION  of  the  Army  of  lYestern  Virginia,  under  General 
Sigel,  broke  camp  on  the  morning  of  May  15th  ; advanced  to  New- 
market, a distance  of  eighteen  miles ; and  there  fought  the  com- 
bined forces  of  Echols  and  Tmboden,  under  Breckinridge.  The 
previous  day  a detachment  under  Colonel  Moor  had  been  sent  out 
from  "W^oodstock,  which  attacked  Tmboden  at  Itood's  Hill  and  drove 
him  to  Newmarket,  where  Breckinridge  and  Echols  reinforced 
him — General  Sigel  at  the  same  time  reinforcing  Colonel  Moor. 

The  rebels  were  forming  to  charge  Moor’s  battery  as  tho  Union 
troops  arrived.  The  men,  exhausted  with  tho  fatigue  of  tho  march, 
and  drenched  with  rain,  were  hurried  on  to  the  field.  They  repelled 
the  first  charge  vigorously,  and  rapidly  formed  a second  line  in  tho 
rear  of  the  first;  when  on  came  the  rebels  in  a renewed  charge, 
and  drove  the  Union  line  back.  Tliey  then  rushed  upon  the  second 
line  like  an  avalanche,  outnumbering  the  Unionists  two  to  one. 
"When  within  200  yards,  they  raised  a cheer  and  advanced  at  double- 
quick.  They  were  met  with  seventeen  pieces  of  artillery  loaded 
with  grape  and  canister,  the  infantry  also  pouring  in  a galling  fire. 
Their  first  line  was  almost  annihilated.  Tlie  Unionists  charged  in 
turn,  and  repelled  them.  The  batteries  were  obliged  to  cease  fir- 
ing when  they  made  the  charge,  and  then  the  strength  of  the  foe 
told  upon  Sigel's  troops.  They  were  driven  hack  in  turn,  their 
guns  doing  duty  till  the  last  moment. 

Then  commenced  a well-conducted  retreat.  A battery  at  a time 
was  withdrawn,  till  all  were  brought  off.  Tho  army  quietly  re- 


442  Yellow  Jiayoic,  La. — Spottsylvania  Court  Ilouse. 

tired  two  inilca  across  the  Shenandoah,  which  was  flood-height 
from  the  ])revailing  storm.  The  rain  fairly  poured  in  torrents 
while  the  battle  raged  hottest.  The  bridge  was  burned  after  the 
army  crossed,  and  the  day  closed  upon  the  scene,  with  the  men 
wearied  with  excessive  marching  and  hard  fighting,  though  still 
hopeful  and  eager  to  resume  the  contest. 

This  unequal  conflict  of  four  hours’  duration  resulted  in  heavy 
losses  to  botli  sides.  Among  the  rebel  killed  were  many  oflicers. 
The  entire  number  placed  hors  du  comhat  was  estimated  at  about 
],0(J0.  The  Union  casualties  did  not  exceed  800. 


YELLOW  BAYOU,  LA. 

May  18,  1864. 

TTnioniats^  under  General  Mower.  Killed^  wounded^  and  150. 

DUunioniatSy  under  General  Polignae.  Killed  and  woundedy  600  ; priaonerBy  800a 

On  Wednesday,  the  18th,  the  army  of  General  Banks,  pursuing 
their  retreat  from  Alexandria,  reached  Yellow  Bayou.  The  ad- 
vance, together  with  stores,  trains,  etc.,  abso  a part  of  the  main  force, 
effected  a crossing  at  this  point;  when  the  enemy  made  a sud- 
den dash  upon  them,  with  the  evident  hope  of  producing  a panic 
among  the  Union  troops.  The  rebels,  under  command  of  General 
Polignae,  made  the  assault  with  desperate  determination  to  sweep 
all  before  them.  General  Mower  gallantly  met  the  assailants,  and 
led  his  men  in  a brilliant  charge.  Pressing  down  heavily  and 
steadily,  he  continued  to  hurl  upon  them  the  mass  of  his  troops; 
till  unable  longer  to  resist  the  overwhelming  tide,  the  rebels  broke 
and  fled  in  wild  disorder. 

They  lo!3t  in  the  brief  engagement  300  prisoners ; the  killed  and 
wounded  were  estimated  at  600.  The  total  Union  loss  was  150. 



SPOTTSYLVANIA  COUET  HOUSE,  VA. 

Mat  is  to  20,  1804. 

UnioninU,  under  Generals  Grant  and  MeadSy  about  120,000.  LosseSy  about  2,500. 
IHsunionistSy  under  General  LeCy  sxt'pposed  to  he  about  111,000.  LosseSy  probablg 
a little  lesH  than  on  the  Unio7i  side. 

On  Friday,  May  13th,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  confronting 
the  enemy  in  their  intrenched  position  at  Spottsylvania  Court 
Ilouse,  received  orders  to  move  by  the  left  flank,  with  a view  to 
turning  the  enemy’s  right,  and  overpowering  it  by  a sudden 


^pottsylvania  Court  House,  Vci.  443 

assault.  A Leavy  rain  storm  was  prevailing,  and  the  ground  was 
drenched  with  the  falling  torrents ; but  in  spite  of  mud  and  rain,  it 
had  been  determined  to  try  another  movement  like  that  of  Han- 
cock’s on  Thursday.  On  the  following  morning,  after  a difficult  and 
painful  march,  the  change  of  position  was  accomplished.  But  ow- 
ing to  the  wretched  condition  of  the  roads,  it  was  not  completed  in 
season  to  warrant  an  attack.  There  was  no  hope  of  surprise;  and 
before  the  Union  artillery-train  and  infantry  masses  were  in  posi- 
tion, the  enemy  was  alert  and  hostile.  lie  was  found  to  have  fallen 
back  a little,  and  to  have  turned  his  lines  so  as  to  face  rather  more 
to  the  east,  still  tenaciously  holding  the  Court  House  and  the  forked 
roads.  Some  skirmishing  occurred  during  the  day  ; but  was  pro- 
ductive of  no  important  results. 

Sunday,  the  twelfth  day  from  breaking  camp  at  Culpepper,  or 
from  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  was  the  first  real  day  of  rest  to 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Its  constant  and  severe  marches  by 
night,  and  its  almost  incessant  fighting  at  other  times,  had  disposed 
it  for  a period  of  refreshment.  The  opportunity  for  rest  therefore 
was  gladly  hailed  by  the  w'orn  and  weary  troops.  On  Monday,  Gen- 
eral Grant  sent  word  to  Washington  that  offensive  operations  had 
been  necessarily  suspended  until  the  roads  should  become  passable, 
and  that  the  army  was  in  the  best  of  si>irits,  and  fully  confident 
of  success,  lliiring  the  first  three  days  of  the  week,  few  maneu- 
vers of  importance  took  place.  The  enemy  was  constantly  W'atch- 
cd,  reconnoissances  made,  and  any  hostile  demonstration  checked 
by  instant  preparation  to  meet  him.  Meanwhile  the  camp  wms 
cleared  of  wounded,  an  abundant  supfdy  of  commissary  stores  and 
ammunition  was  brought  forward,  and  more  than  25,000  veteran 
troops  besides  less  disciplined  reinforcements  were  received  to  fill 
up  the  depleted  ranks. 

On  Tue.sday,  the  I7th,  the  army  had  become  refreshed,  strength- 
ened, and  fully  supplied,  and  the  miry  roads  improved  by  clear  fine 
weather.  It  was  accordingly  determined  to  again  attack  the 
enemy,  and  strong  reconnoi.ssances  were  made.  The  constant  effort 
had  been  at  Spottsylvania,  as  in  the  Wilderness,  either  to  turn  the 
enemy’s  right,  or  else,  by  threatening  it  dangerously,  to  force  him 
back  to  Richmond.  But  so  palpable  had  the  endeavor  become,  it 
was  thought  expedient  to  assail  this  time  the  enemy’s  left  flank, 
partly  trusting  that  he  had  been  induced  to  reinforce  his  right  in- 
stead of  his  left,  and  partly  with  a view  to  subsequent  operations 
again  in  the  old  direction.  Tuesday  night,  therefore,  was  occupied 

22 


« 


444  Spottsyloania  Court  House,  Va. 

in  moving  troops  and  batteries  toward  the  right ; but  hardly  a shot 
or  sliell  disturbed  the  unwonted  peacefulness  of  the  camps. 

At  daybreak,  cannonading  broke  out  on  tlie  Union  right,  gradu- 
ally increasing  in  severity,  and  quickly  responded  to  by  the  enemy. 
About  five  o’clock,  a general  assault  was  made  by  the  three  corps 
on  the  right.  The  position  in  front  of  the  second  corps  was  a part 
of  that  which  they  had  so  bravely  wrested  from  the  enemy  on  the 
preceding  Thursday  ; and  in  the  first  line  of  rifle-pits  to  be  taken, 
were  those  abandoned  by  the  Federal  troops  on  Friday.  The  first 
and  second  divisions  of  Hancock’s  corps,  with  the  Corcoran  le- 
gion, eagerly  cleared  the  open  space  in  front,  dashed  on  the  enemy’s 
skirmish  line,  and  drove  it  back.  On  their  right,  two  divisions  of 
the  sixth  corps  moved  up  no  less  vigorously.  Tlie  second  line  of 
rifle-pits  was  carried  as  briskly  as  the  first,  in  the  midst  of  a sharp 
and  deadly  fire.  Hero  a formidable  barrier  interposed.  In  front 
stretched  a broad,  dense,  and  almost  absolutely  impenetrable  aUat- 
tis  ; behind  whicli  rilletnen  lay  in  security,  and  in  the  rear  a heavy 
force  of  infantry.  It  was  almost  an  ambuscade ; and  so  perfect  was 
the  defense  us  to  lead  to  the  belief  that  the  skirmish  lines  in  front 
had  been  intentionally  surrendered,  so  as  to  draw  the  Unionists 
farther  in.  The  impossibility  of  penetrating  farther  without  great 
slaughter  became  at  once  apparent  to  the  division  commanders, 
and  it  was  also  equally  obvious  that  the  troops  could  not  stand 
longer  under  the  murderous  sweep  of  artillery.  They  were  there- 
fore withdrawn  in  good  order,  and  the  assault  ceased. 

Meanwhile  the  ninth  corps  had  made  a vigorous  attack  farther 
down  the  line.  The  several  divisions  of  the  ninth  moved  forward 
across  the  open  field,  so  as  form  three  attacking  columns;  and  at 
the  same  time  a hot  artillery  fire  broke  out,  to  which  the  rebels 
made  a brisk  response.  As  on  the  right,  the  troops  dashed  gal- 
lantly up  to  the  abattis  in  spite  of  every  obstacle;  but  there  re- 
coiled, the  temporary  struggle  to  surmount  it  being  hopeless.  At 
daylight  the  batteries  on  the  extreme  left  opened  briskly  on  the  foe 
and  elicited  a prom[)t  response.  The  Union  intrencliments,  how- 
ever, prevented  their  fire  from  being  effectual.  After  an  hour,  the 
artillery  fire  here  slackened.  At  ten  o’clock,  it  again  broke  out 
with  great  severity ; but  no  advance  of  infantry  was  made  at  either 
line,  except  in  the  employment  of  a regiment  of  sharp-shooters  to 
operate  against  the  enemy’s  gunners,  who  were  picking  off  the 
Federal  cannoniers. 

By  eleven  o’clock  the  assault  was  abandoned,  and  all  the  troops 


445 


Spottsylva7iia  Court  House,  J^a. 

recalled  to  tlieir  original  position.  The  shifting  oi  corps  had  been 
e.-cecuted  brilliantly,  and  the  attack  gallantly  conducted  under  a 
galling  fire.  But  the  foe  were  perfectly  prepared  to  receive  the  as- 
sault, aifd  held  a strong  chain  of  earth-works,  fringed  with  an 
almost  impenetrable  abattis.  To  pierce  it  would  be  hazardous,  and 
involve  a loss  of  life  greatly  exceeding  the  value  of  the  position. 
The  Federal  loss  in  the  engagement  amounted  to  about  1,200,  and 
the  exposure  tg  artillery  fire  heightened  the  proportion  of  danger- 
ous wounds. 

The  afternoon  and  evening  of  Wednesday  were  quiet.  During 
this  day,  as  in  the  two  preceding,  the  enemy  refrained  from  ofien- 
sive  operations,  but  held  his  ground  tenaciously. 

General  Grant  having  now  assured  himself  of  the  rebels’  strength 
at  Spottsylvania,  immediately  resorted  to  other  measures  than  those 
of  attack  to  carry  out  his  design.  On  Wednesday  night,  a cavalry 
force  entered Guinney’eStation,  destroying  the  buildings  and  sup- 
plies, the  telegraph  apparatus,  etc.,  which  was  only  the  precursor 
of  a general  movement  in  that  direction. 

Accordingly,  on  Thursday,  a portion  of  the  Union  right  was 
quietly  moved  from  its  position  and  began. to  march  across  to  the 
left.  Meanwhile,  the  rest  of  the  camp  tvas  unusually  quiet  through 
the  day,  supply  trains  busily  dying  back  and  forth  from  Belle  Plain, 
tardy  reinforcements  pressing  up  in  force,  with  the  other  details  of 
peaceful  labor  already  described.  There,  was  little  cannonading  or 
musketry,  and  even  the  opposing  skirmish  lines  here  and  there  in- 
dulged in  friendly  exchange  of  jest  and  badinage.  Both  camps 
W'ere  in  range  of  the  silent  batteries  ; but  within  the  Union  lines, 
at  least,  was  easy  nonchalance,  with  some  of  the  ordinary  scenes 
of  bivouac. 

A little  after  noon  the  rebel  General  Ewell  marched  a part  of  his 
corps  over  the  Ny  River,  proceeded  completely  across  the  Union 
right,  and  about  five  o’clock  struck  out  of  the  woods  in  the  rear  of 
the  Federal  right  flank.  Ills  advance  brigade  roused  the  camp  by 
its  firing,  desultory  and  scattering  at  first,  and  such  as  might  liave 
come  from  the  guerrillas  continually  in  that  neighborhood,  but 
gradually  swelling  into  greater  volume  as  his  troops  arrived  and 
brought  up  their  artillery  in  support.  There  was  an  instant  stam- 
pede of  teamsters  and  ambulance  drivers  both  to  front  and  rear,  as 
the  rebel  column  swept  across  the  road.  The  small  force  of  Union 
cavalry  was  compelled  to  retire ; but  dismounted  to  fight,  and  to 
cover  the  rapid  race  for  camp.  The  rebels  at  once  took  possession 


446 


Bermuda  Hundred^  "Va, 


of  tlio  ambulances  and  a portion  of  a train  of  subsistence  within 
tlieir  reacli,  and  showered  bullets  on  the  retreating  party.  Several 
liorses  were  killed,  and  their  drivers  hastened  to  escape  on  foot. 
The  main  body  of  troops  held  a position  far  to  the  front.  ^But  for- 
tunately Tyler’s  division  of  heavy  artillery  was  near  at  hand. 
After  some  delay  this  division  was  got  into  line  and  desperately  re- 
sisted the  enemy’s  progress.  Although  these  troops  were  mostly 
unused  to  fire,  and  least  of  all  to  the  unprecedented  fury  of  the 
mode  of  fighting  in  Virginia,  they  fell  upon  the  enemy  with  the 
utmost  bravery,  displaying  gallantry  equal  to  that  of  veterans. 

The  first  onset  of  the  rebels  upon  the  Union  advance  was  over- 
powering ; but  other  trhops  coming  up,  the  enemy  were  driven 
into  and  through  tho  woods  in  admirable  style.  As  soon  as  possi- 
ble, three  divisions  were  sent  forward  in  support;  but  the  thorough 
repulse  and  discomfiture  of  the  enemy  had  already  been  effected  by 
Tyler’s  division.  Tho  engagement  was  very  rapid,  and  of  brief 
duration ; but  such  were  tho  ardor  and  dash  of  the  Unionists  that 
they  sustained  during  its  continuance  a loss  of  nearly  1,200  men. 
Tlie  loss  of  the  rebels  was  about  the  same. 

At  five  o’clock  the  enemy  opened  a heavy  cannonade  against  tho 
Union  left,  in  order  to  cover  their  movement  on  the  baggage  train  ; 
but  after  a short  fight  they  were  driven  back,  and  the  cannonading 
ceased. 

Friday  morning  the  three  divisions  that  have  been  described  as 
relieving  Tyler’s  division,  having  held  the  line  all  night,  silently 
and  swiftly  entered  the  woods,  and  sweeping  through  them,  at- 
tacked the  rear  of  the  enemy’s  column,  and  cut  off  about  four  hun- 
dred prisoners  straggling  in  tho  woods.  The  enemy  recrossed  tho 
Ny  and  retreated  to  his  camp. 


BERMUDA  HUNDRED,  VA. 

May  19  and  20,  1864. 

Unioninta^  under  General  Buttery  ahont  25,000.  Total  loHfty  nearly  300. 

Limnioniklay  under  General  Beauregard y about  20.000.  Boaseny  not  atated. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  the  Union  trooi)9  from  the  attack  on 
Fort  Darling,  there  was  little  activity  till  Thursday  night.  The 
rebels  devoted  Wednesday  and  Thursday  to  feeling  the  position  of 
their  antagonists,  during  which  time  considerable  picket  firing  and 
some  skirmisliing  occurred.  General  Beauregard  meanwhile  moved 
down  his  forces  in  proximity  to  tho  Union  troops. 


North  Arma  River^  Va.  447 

ThnrsJay,  about  midnight,  he  made  an  assault  upon  a line  of 
rifle-pits  dug  by  the  Federal  pickets  along  the  center  of  their  in- 
trenchments.  Cannonading  accompanied  the  attack,  and  the  bat- 
teries responded  vigorously.  A short  but  severe  contest  ensued, 
resulting  ultimately  in  the  repulse  of  the  assailants,  and  the  restora- 
tion of  quiet  along  the  lines. 

Tlie  ne.vt  morning,  Friday  the  20th,  the  rebels  again  dashed  upon 
the  same  point  and  succeeded  in  driving  back  the  men,  and  hold 
the  rifle-pits  they  had  occupied.  A contest  at  once  commenced  for 
the  recovery  of  the  lost  intrenchments,  and  lasted  at  intervals 
through  the  day.  General  Terry’s  line  of  rifle-pits  was  at  last  repos- 
sessed, and  the  enemy  at  night  forced  to  retire.  The  Union  losses 
were  nearly  300.  The  rebel  losses  were  not  reported. 


NORTH  ANNA  RIVER,  VA. 

Mat  23  and  24,  18&4. 

UnionisU^  under  Generals  Grant  and  Meade^  not  far  from  127»000.  Losses^ 
nearly  2,000. 

Vifinnionists^  under  General  Lee^  supjwsed  to  he  ohout  110,000.  Losses,  nearly 
2,000 — the  proportion  of  killed  and  mounded ^ hoxceocr^  being  less  than  on  the 
Union  side. 

On  Friday  night,  ifay  20th,  commenced  another  grand  flank 
movement  of  the  Army  of  the  I’otomac  which  was  dc.stincd  onco 
more  to  put  a new  face  on  the  campaign  in  Virginia.  * 

About  twelve  o’clock  Friday  night.  General  Torbert’s  division  of 
cavalry  advanced  to  Guinney’s  Station,  and  thence  to  Guinnea’s 
Bridge,  a mile  southwest  of  the  station.  At  Downer’s  Bridge,  near 
by,  rebel  cavalry  were  found  threatening  the  column.  A sharp 
charge  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  drove  them  back,  and  the 
Union  forces,  pushing  the  enemy  from  the  road,  pressed  on  southerly 
to  Bowling  Green,  a village  fifteen  miles  southeast  of  Spottsylvania. 
A little  farther  south,  the  cavalry  still  continuing  tlieir  course,  and 
driving  the  enemy  before  them,  struck  upon  Milford’s  Station,  and 
scattered  a body  of  rebels,  capturing  seventy  men. 

At  midnight  of  Friday,  also,  the  second  corps,  followed  the  road 
of  the  cavalry  and  arrived  at  Bowling  Green,  Saturday,  at  night-falj,. 
Proceeding  from  Bowling  Green,  the  second  corps  next  struck  the 
Mattapony,  five  miles  south  of  the  latter  j)laco,  crossed  the  river, 
and  formed  into  line  in  a commanding  position.  Here  a few  hun- 
dred rebel  cavalry  dashed  against  Barlow’s  division  while  forming; 


448 


JV^orth  Amia  Jliver,  Va. 


but  discovering  in  season  they  were  about  to  capture  a Tartar, 
wheeled  and  escaped  in  safety. 

Meanwhile,  at  ten  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning,  Warren’s  fifth 
corps  broke  camp  and  followed  the  second,  encountering  cavalry 
like  its  predecessor,  near  Guinney’s  Station,  and  driving  the  enemy 
with  ease.  The  sixth  and  ninth  brought  up  the  rear,  and  on  Sat- 
urday the  entire  army  had  left  Spottsylvania.  The  advance  found 
everywhere  that  the  movement  had  been  anticipated  ; stores  had 
been  removed  and  Lee’s  main  army  drawn  otf.  All  the  corps  had 
more  or  less  skirmishing — that  in  the  rear  being  at  one  time  actively 
engaged ; but  no  delay  or  damage  was  caused.  By  Sunday,  the 
rapid  and  at  first  apparently  confused  movement  had  gained  con- 
sistency, and  a sort  of  line  was  formed,  facing  westerly.  It  was 
now  obvious  to  General  Grant  that  the  enemy  had  entirely  aban- 
doned Spottsylvania,  .and  was  preceding  him  in  the  direction  of 
Hanover  Court  House.  There  was  no  longer  need  to  hold  the 
ground  in  the  Union  rear;  and  the  whole  army,  on  Monday,  i)ush- 
cd  forward  ra[)idly,  and  reached  the  North  Anna  liiver,  a little 
above  Sexton’s  Junction.  In  this  vicinity  there  arC  three  fords: 
Island,  Jericho,  and  Chesterfield  or  Taylor’s  Bridge  fords,  the  for- 
mer the  farthest  to  the  northwest.  The  two  latter  were  seized  by 
the  Union  forces.  The  two  advance  corps  of  the  Union  army,  the 
second  and  the  fifth,  reacheil  the  fords  about  twor.M.  of  Monday — 
the  second  arriving  at  Taylor’s  Bridge,  and  the  fifth  at  Jericho 
Ford.  Aljout  six  o’clock  the  second  corps  prepared  to  assault. 
Birney’s  third  division  was  in  the  advance,  supported  by  Barlow’s 
first  and  Gibbon’s  second.  Tyler  being  in  reserve.  Birney’s  divi- 
sion sprang  gallantly  to  their  task  ; and  in  the  most  brilliant  and 
rapid  manner  carried  the  works  with  the  bayonet,  pressing  on 
through  a galling  fire  from  artillery  and  rifles  on  the  opposite  bank, 
which  swept  the  flanks  of  the  salient,  leaping  the  ditch  and  climb- 
ing up  the  par.apct.  The  bridge-head  was  immediately  held,  and  a 
part  of  the  secend  corps  thrown  across  the  river,  menacing  the  re- 
treating enemy.  Thus  the  bridge  was  won.  But  so  hostile  was 
the  disjjositicn  of  the  enemy,  that,  contented  with  the  advantage 
already  gained.  General  Hancock  made  no  attempt  to  throw  his 
,pntire  corps  over  the  North  Anna  that  night. 

Meanwhile,  General  Warren’s  (fifth)  corps  had  crossed  the  river 
at  Jericho  Ford,  wading  it  waist  deep  without  opposition.  The 
foe.  always  cautions  now  of  their  right  flank,  had  made  few  prep- 
arations so  far  on  their  left.  The  stream,  however,  was  quite 


North  Anna  liiver.  Fa.  449 

defensible  at  this  point.  The  roads  down  to  the  river  were  tor- 
tuous and  difficult.  Pontoon  bridges  were  thrown  across,  after  tbe 
fording  by  the  infantry  : and  when  the  rebel  skirmishers  had  been 
driven  off,  preparations  were  made  to  intrencb. 

In  the  mean  time.  Cutter’s  division  crossed  on  the  pontoon  and 
joined  Griffin’s  and  Crawford’s  already  on  the  other  side.  About 
five  o’clock,  the  enemy  attacked  Griffin’s  division  with  extraordi- 
nary fury,  pouring  in  fierce  volleys  of  musketry,  and  a hot  cannon- 
ade from  several  batteries.  The  second  brigade,  which  was  still  in 
the  advance,  behaved  with  the  most  becoming  gallantry.  A flank- 
ing brigade  of  the  enemy  which  attacked  and  nearly  turned  Grif- 
fin’s brigade  was  met  by  Bartlett’s  brigade,  and  after  a severe 
encounter,  thoroughly  repulsed.  The  rebels  then  withdrew  in 
haste,  and  though  during  the  night  they  once  more  gained  pos- 
session of  the  battle-field  by  a spirited  attack,  they  made  no  fur- 
ther attemiit  to  wrest  from  the  Unionists  their  po.ssession  of  the 
river.  The  battle  was  unusually  fierce,  and  resulted  in  heavy  losses 
on  both  sides.  The  Union  casualties  at  both  points  amounted  to 
1,000.  The  enemy’s  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  probably  less 
than  that  of  their  opponents;  but  several  hundred  rebel  prisoners 
were  captured. 

Later  in  the  evening  Burnside  and  Wright  arrived,  and  occupied 
the  northerly  bank  of  tbe  river.  Tlie  greater  part  of  tlio  fifth 
corps  remained  all  night  on  the  farther  bank  of  the  river;  and 
Hancock  held  Taylor’s  Bridge  securely,  tliough  without  crossing  a 
greater  part  of  his  force.  During  the  night  the  rebels  made  an 
unsuccessful  attack  on  the  fifth  corps ; but  were  forced  to  retire. 
About  eleven  o’clock  they  made  an  attempt  to  retake  Taylor’s 
Bridge ; but  were  quickly  driven  back.  An  hour  later,  they  at- 
tacked more  vigorously ; and  for  a while  drove  back  the  Federal 
forces,  and  began  to  fire  the  bridge.  But  a speedy  rally  once  more 
dispersed  them,  and  left  the  Unionists  in  undisputed  possession. 

Early  on  Tuesday,  the  24th,  General  Meade  prepared  to  place  the 
w’hole  army  on  the  south  side  of  the  North  Anna.  Warren’s  corps 
being  already  across,  Wright’s  sixth  corps  followed  at  once;  and 
as  soon  as  the  crossing  was  accomplished,  took  position  in  Warren’s 
rear,  supporting  him  and  covering  the  ford. 

Meanwhile  the  second  corps  essayed  a crossing  at  Taylor’s 
Bridge.  This,  however,  was  attended  with  difficulty  ; as  the  works 
comm.anding  the  farther  end  of  the  bridge  wore  strong  and  still 
filled  with  the  enemy.  The  portion  also  lying  between  .Jericho 


450  Wilson's  Landing^  Fo, 

Ford  and  Chesterfield  Bridge  was  still  held  by  the  enemy,  and  any 
attempt  to  cross  from  the  other  bank  exi>o3ed  the  right  Hunk  of  the 
crossing  ]);irty.  The  left  division  of  the  fifth ’corps  was  eventually 
extended  along  the  bank;  and  while  the  enemy  was  engaged  with 
them,  soon  after  noon,  Birney’s  division  of  the  second  corps 
quickly  crossed,  swept  the  rebels  from  their  works,  and  held  the 
bridge  and  its  approaches.  The  remainder  of  the  corps  followed, 
and  the  object  was  accomplished.  An  advance  of  half  a mile 
jmshed  back  the  skirmishers,  after  considerable  firing;  but  the 
subsequent  progress  of  the  Union  army  was  checked  by  the  enemy’s 
main  force,  which  was  found  well  posted  on  f.ittle  River. 

About  two  o’clock  p.m.,  Tuesday,  Crittenden’s  (first)  division  of 
the  ninth  corps  forded  the  river  at  Ox  Ford.  Ledlie’s  first  brigade 
lield  the  advance,  with  skirmishers  dejiloyed,  and  steadily  pushed 
forward,  driving  the  enemy  through  the  woods  to  an  open  space. 
Here  they  met  a raking  lire  from  batteries  and  ritlcmen  iiosted  in 
communding  jiositions  in  front;  and  were  at  length  driven  back  to 
the  river,  with  a reiiorted  loss  of  450  men.  With  better  fortune. 
Potter’s  second  division  crossed  the  river,  meeting  no  important 
opposition.  On  the  left,  Hancock  extended  his  line  to  the  railroad 
bridge  spanning  the  North  Anna.  But  the  enemy  checked  him 
here,  and  during  the  night  destroyed  the  bridge  by  fire.  The 
Union  losses  during  the  day  were  rather  less  than  1,000  men  ; that 
of  the  rebels  about  the  same,  as  the  Unionists  had  the  advantage 
m the  number  of  prisoners. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  the  25th,  all  the  troops  were  in  good 
position  on  the  south  side  of  the  North  Anna. 


WILSON’S  LANDING,  VA. 

May  24,  1864. 

VnionifitSy  tinder  General  Wild^  about  1,200.  Killed  and  wounded^  40. 
JJiHunionista^  under  General  I'ilz  lUigh  J.cCy  2,000.  Killed  and  VH>unded,  270; 
jtriHvncrUy  11. 

Tuksday,  ^fay  24th,  the  rebel  General  Fitz  Hugh  Leo,  with 
about  2,000  cavalry,  attacked  the  Union  garrison  at  Wilson’s  Land- 
ing, under  command  of  General  Wild.  The  garrison  embraced 
only  two  small  regiments  of  colored  troops,  who  with  untiring 
energy  had  fortified  their  position. 

General  Lee,  on  his  arrival,  sent  immediately  into  the  Federal 
lines,  demanding  a surrender,  and  promising,  in  case  the  surrender 


451 


Dallas  \'icinUy,  Ga. 

was  made,  the  garrison  should  be  sent  to  the  authorities  at  Rich- 
mond as  prisoners  of  war,  but  if  refused,  he  would  not  be  answer- 
able  for  results.  The  purport  of  the  last  remark,  in  view  ol  the 
horrible  atrocities  which  had  lately  been  committed  at  Fort  Pil- 
low, was  well  understood.  General  "Wild  replied,  however,  '‘"We 
will  try  that and  the  fight  commenced.  In  the  opening,  it  raged 
fiercely  on  the  left.  The  woods  were  riddled  willi  the  storm  of 
bullets,  and  the  ground  was  stained  with  the  blood  of  the  fallen. 
The  enemy  lost  heavily. 

Finding  the  left  invincible,  the  rebel  leader  hurled  his  force,  dis- 
mounted, upon  the  right.  Steadily  they  pushed  on  through  obstruc- 
tions, through  slashing,  past  abattis,  never  wavering.  The  negro 
troops  obeyed  orders  and  bided  their  time.  When  the  foe  were  strug- 
gling through  the  abattis,  the  death-warraut,  ‘‘Fire!”  went  forth. 
Southern  chivalry  quailed  before  Rorlhern  balls,  though  fired  by 
negro  hands.  Volley  after  volley  rained  mercilessly  upon  them; 
till  their  line  broke,  and  the  men  attempted  to  flee.  The  fight  raged 
unremittingly  till  about  five  o’clock  ; when  firing  ceased.  General 
"Wild  directed  the  operations  in  person,  and  made  jireparatious  to 
renew  the  fight ; but  the  cowering  foe  stole  away  during  the  night. 

The  Union  losses  were  slight;  the  whole  number  of  killed  and 
wounded  did  not  exceed  forty.  Tlio  enemy  lost  heavily. 




DALLAS  VICINITY,  GA 

Mat  29,  1864. 

XJnionisUy  under  General  40,000  Killed^wcunded^ 

ami  mvifsing^  300 

Disuniomst'i^  U7ider  General  Hardee^  estimated  at  20,000.  Killed  and  wounded^ 
1,500 ; 300. 

Tuesday,  klay  24th,  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  General 
JlcPherson,  struck  their  tents  in  the  gray  morning  twilight;  and 
ere  the  bugle  notes  which  sounded  the  tocsin  of  preparation  died 
away  among  the  hills  that  skirt  the  little  village  of  Kingston, 
Ga.,  the  glittering  columns  were  in  measured  motion.  The  day 
was  intensely  hot.  and  clouds  of  suffocating  dust  filled  the  air,  add- 
ing much  discomfort  to  the  unmurmuring  soldiers  as  they  marched 
boldly  on  with  their  muskets  upon  their  .stalwart  .shoulders. 

At  night  they  camped  a few  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Van 
"Wirt,  and  resumed  their  onward  march  early  the  following  morn- 
ing. The  rumbling  of  the  wagon-trains  descending  the  preciiulous 


452  Dallas  Vicinity^  Ga. 

sides  of  liio  AllaLootiii  range  ; tlio  long  lino  of  loyul  bayonets  glis- 
tening ill  tlie  sunlight;  the  national  ilag,  waving  its  hlood-staincd 
folds  between  the  iiiountuin  foliage,  and  receiving  a fresh  haptisni 
of  morning  dew  ; the  shrill  bugle  notes  reverberating  through  the 
deep  ravines,  startling  the  timid  birds  from  their  haunts,  and 
awakening  the  matin  song  of  the  less  fearful ; all  conspired  to 
render  the  march  from  Van  Wirt  to  Dallas  a thrilling  war-picture. 

On  Saturday  afternoon.  May  28tli,  Hardee’s*  famous  rebel  corps 
suddenly  hurled  its  traitorous  horde  against  the  entire  front  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  While  the  Union  trains  were  being  shifted 
to  a new  position,  the  enemy’s  signal  officers  gave  notice  of  the 
movement ; and  with  demoniac  yells  the  corps  was  hurled  forward, 
making  frantic  efforts  to  turn  the  right  flank,  and  dashing  upon  the 
lines  with  an  impetuosity  seemingly  resistless.  At  the  same  time 
their  masked  batteries  belched  forth  murderous  volleys  in  front. 
Solid  shot  and  shell  sped  through  the  ranks ; but  the  iron-hearted 
men  yielded  not  an  inch.  From  out  the  long  lines  of  woods  skirt- 
ing a cultivated  field  in  front,  the  gray  columns  of  rebel  infantry 
advanced  with  glittering  bayonets,  and  treason’s  emblems  floating 
defiantly  upon  the  breeze.  The  Union  lines  extended  over  a range 
of  wooded  hills,  covered  with  a thick  undergrowth  of  tangled 
briers  and  giant  weeds. 

As  soon  as  it  became  apparent  that  the  enemy  designed  attack- 
ing, orders  were  given  for  the  Unionists  to  withhold  fire,  until  the 
too  confident  foe  were  within  sixty  yards. 

On  they  came  like  a rushing  whirlwind,  totally  regardless  of  the 
presence  of  the  dauntless  hosts  of  Federal  soldiers  crouching  in 
the  rear  of  their  hastily  constructed  hreast-works ; from  behind 
which,  at  a given  signal,  burst  forth  the  report  of  thousands 
of  muskets  and  many  heavy  batteries,  mingling  their  thunders  in 
the  horrid  din  of  battle.  For  thirty  minutes  the  conflict  raged 
tiercel}'.  Rebel  yells  were  answered  with  “ Union  cheers  and  as 
Generals  Logan  and  McPherson  rode  along  the  front,  their  pres- 
ence fired  the  troops  with  patriotic  heroism  and  inspired  new  valor. 
The  moment  for  action,  prompt  and  decisive,  had  arrived ; and  each 
of  these  noble  chieftains  knew  where  to  look  for  steady  hands  to 
do  the  bidding  of  the  loyal  heart. 

Again  and  again  the  exasperated  traitors  massed ; and  regard- 
less of  consequences,  sought  to  crush  the  Union  right,  making  three 
ineffectual  attempts  to  penetrate  General  Morgan  Smith’s  lines. 
From  the  commanding-general  down  to  the  true  and  tried  private, 


453 


Cold  JIarbor,  Va. 


tlie  most  iinflincliing  bravery  was  displayed.  At  five  o’clock  there 
arose  a wild  deafening  shout  of  ti  iuiiiph  from  those  thickly  wooded 
liills  which  rang  far  above  the  clash  of  arms ; and,  lo ! the  cha- 
grined enemy  were  in  full  retreat  to  their  strongholds,  fleeing  in 
all  directions  save  toward  the  dauntless  victors,  who  poured 
deadly  volleys  into  their  terror-stricken  ranks,  mowing  them  down 
by  scores. 

To  form  some  idea  of  the  desperateness  of  the  assault,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  state  that  the  enemy’s  loss  reached  2,500  in  killed 
and  w'ounded,  besides  about  300  prisoners,  while  McPherson’s 
entire  loss  did  not  exceed  300. 




COLD  HARBOE,  VA. 

Junk  1 to  3,  1864. 

UnionUU^  wither  Generals  Grant  and  Meade,,  about  125,000  Losses  in  killed^ 
wwtnded,,  and  missing^  estimated  at  Ji'om  9,000  to  10,000. 

Visunioniats,,  under  General  Lee,,  supposed  to  be  about  100,000.  KUled^xcounded. 
and  misidngy  probably  from-  T,000  to  8,000. 

After  tlie  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  effected  a crossing  of  the 
North  Anna  Itivcr,  on  the  24th  and  25th  of  May,  preparations 
were  at  once  made  to  communicate  witli  Port  Itoyal  on  the  Eap- 
pahannock,  as  a new  base  whence  supplies  might  bo  receiVed,  and 
lo  whicdi  trains  of  wounded  could  bo  sent.  On  Wednesday  noon, 
the  25th  inst.,  the  Federal  lino  resting  on  the  south  bank  of  tho 
North  Anna  extended  from  a little  west  of  Jericluj  Ford  about  four 
miles  to  a point  on  the  Fredericksburg  llailroad,  but  a short  dis 
tanco  south  of  the  river.  The  enemy  were  found  in  strong  force 
opposite  its  center,  with  their  troops  disposed  in  the  form  of  an 
obtuse  V,  the  apex  directed  toward  Ox  Ford.  Their  right  wing 
rested  on  the  formidable  marsh  known  as  Bull  Swamp,  and 
stretched  across  the  Fredericksburg  Railroad,  protecting  it  and 
covering  Sexton’s  .Junction  ; while  their  left  extended  along  Little 
River,  crossing  the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  and  likewise  pro- 
tecting it  at  the  Junction.  The  position  was  skillfully  chosen — 
being  naturally  strong,  admirably  sheltering  the  rebel  flanks  by  the 
marsh  and  stream,  and  admitting  a rapid  transfer  of  troops  from 
one  flank  to  the  other;  while  it  threatened  the  security  of  tho 
Unionists,  by  the  superior  facility  it  afforded  for  a movement 
against  their  center.  Besides  these  advantages,  it  had  been  fortified 
with  extensive  and  elaborate  intrenchments,  to  which  the  enemy 
were  busily  adding  others. 


454  • 


Cold  Jlarhor^  Vd. 


In  view  of  the  great  strength  of  this  position,  hoth  offensive 
and  defensive,  General  Grant  determined  not  to  attempt  the  dis- 
lodgment  of  the  enemy  by  an  assault — which  would  have  been 
murderously  destructive — but  to  accomplish  it  by  a flanking  move- 
ment, snch  as  already  had  proved  twice  successful.  The  new  plan 
was  to  recross  the  North  Anna,  and  again  stretch  out  easterly  in 
the  now  familiar  movement  by  the  left.  The  recent  rains,  swell- 
ing the  streams,  made  it  jirudent  to  commence  crossing  them  as 
speedily  as  possible.  To  conceal  the  purpose,  a strong  demonstra- 
tion was  made  during  Thursday  on  the  enemy’s  left — some  divi- 
sions of  infantry  attacking  the  rebels  in  position  ; while  a division 
of  cavalry  moved  up  the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  and  began 
burning  the  track. 

Under  cover  of  these  movements,  the  sixth  corps  quietly  and 
swiftly  withdrew  on  Thursday  evening  to  the  north  bank  of  the 
river,  followed  by  the  other  corps  in  quick  succession,  and  moved 
out  easterly  for  the  Pamunkey.  Hancock  protected  the  rear;  and 
meanwhile  a strong  skirmish  line  was  left  in  front  to  engage  the 
enemy’s  attention  and  disarm  susi)icion.  At  nine  o’clock  on  Fri- 
day morning  Torbert’s  and  Gregg’s  cavalry  divisions  took  posses- 
sion of  Hanover  Ferry  and  Hanovertown,  finding  there  only  a 
rebel  vidette.  The  first  division  of  the  sixth  corps  arrived  at  ten 
A.M.,  and  the  rest  of  the  column  closely  followed.  It  was  at  once 
evident  that  the  familiar  spot  known  as  White  House  was  hence- 
forth to  be  the  Federal  base  of  supplies ; and  as  a proof  that  the 
present  flank  movement  was  no  sudden  and  forced  change  of  posi- 
tion, but  one  previously  contemplated ; trans[>orts  laden  with  army 
supplies  were  found  to  be  already  on  their  way  to  that  point. 

On  Saturday  morning,  the  28th,  the  Union  troops  had  obtained 
complete  possession  ot  the  country  around  Hanovertown.  It  was 
discovered  that  Lee  was  already  extending  his  lines  southerly,  and 
that  he  had  undoubtedly  occupied  Hanover  Court  House  before 
their  de|)arture  from  the  North  Anna  Now,  however,  he  had 
swung  about  his  army  to  face  his  opponents.  Breckinridge’s 
troops,  lately  victorious  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  supported  by 
strong  bodies  of  cavalry,  were  the  forces  nearest  at  hand.  It  was 
evident  that  the  enemy  could  not  afford  to  attenuate  his  line  by 
continuing  to  hold  the  Court  House  in  great  force,  and  at  best  it 
would  be  but  a point  of  support  for  his  extreme  left.  To  ascertain 
his  purpose,  however,  a reconnoissance  was  made  on  Saturday  far 
toward  Mechanicsville,  by  Torbert’s  and  Gregg’s  cavalry.  A little 


455 


rfsa 


Cold  Harbor,  Fa. 


south  of  Hawes’  Store,  a point  not  far  from  Tolopotamoy  Creek,  a 
severe  engafjeiuont  with  the  enemy’s  cavalry  occurred,  which  re- 
sulted in  forcing  back  the  latter  a considerable  distance,  so  that 
something  could  be  ascertained  of  the  main  rebel  line. 

The  battle  began  about  noon,  and  soon  the  whole  of  Gregg’s 
division  were  liotly  engaged.  The  rebel  cavalrymen  were  skill- 
fully disposed,  availing' themselves  of  the  neighboring  woods.  Ar- 
tillery was  actively  employed  on  both  sides.  About  two  o’clock, 
while  the  fight  was  hottest,  and  the  Union  troops  were  hardly  able, 
even  with  great  loss,  to  hold  the  desired  ground,  Custer’s  brigade 
of  Torbert’s  division  came  up,  and  pressing  gallantly  forward,  re- 
pulsed the  rebel  hordes.  Under  a concentrated  fire,  the  foe  retired 
— leaving  the  battle-field  in  the  possession  of  his  opponent,  with  a 
part  of  his  killed  and  wounded  in  Union  hands.  The  Federal  loss 
was  about  400,  the  enemy’s  not  less. 

On  Sunday,  the  29th,  the  whole  army  was  successfully  across 
the  Pamunkey,  and  fronted  southwest,  about  three  miles  from  the 
river.  The  corps  moved  cautiously  forward,  and  an  .attack  from 
General  Lee  was  expected.  But  none  was  made,  and  the  only 
firing  was  by  reconnoitering  parties  far  in  front. 

On  Monday,  Lee’s  forces  were  ascertained  to  be  on  the  Mechau- 
icsville  road  south  of  the  Tolopotamoy  Creek  road,  between  the 
stream  and  Hawes’  Shop,  their  right  wing  resting  on  Shady  Grove. 
About  five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  Warren’s  corps,  which  was 
gradually  moving  out  to  the  left,  along  the  Mechanicsville  road,  was 
suddenly  and  hotly  attacked  from  both  sides  by  Rhodes’  division  of 
Ewell’s  corps,  with  two  brigades  of  cavalry  engaged  in  reconnoi- 
tering. Crawford’s  division,  which  was  a little  detached  from  the 
rest  of  the  corps,  being  well  up  toward  Shady  Grove  Church,  was 
forced  back  in  spite  of  a determined  resistance  The  advantage 
was  so  rapidly  followed  up  as  to  endanger  the  turning  of  AVarren’s 
flank.  But  the  timely  arrival  of  reinforcements  from  the  other 
divisions  prevented  the  disaster.  A sharp  engagement,  however, 
followed,  and  the  enemy  was  forced  to  retire. 

As  soon  as  the  news  of  ATarren’s  situation  came  to  headquarters. 
General  Meade  orc^red  an  attack  all  along  the  line,  so  as  to  relieve 
him.  General  Hancock  was  the  only  one  who  received  the  order 
in  time  to  attack  before  dark ; and  he  immediately  dashed  upon  the 
enemy’s  skirmish  line,  captured  their  rifle-pits,  and  held  them  all 
night  The  engagement  rvas  rapid  and  brilliant,  and  the  losses  not 
large.  The  rebel  dead  and  wounded  were  left  on  the  field.  Gen- 


45G 


Cold  Harbor^  J^a. 


eral  Warren  in  tlie  mean  time  lield  liis  ground,  being  about  seven 
miles  from  Kicbmond  and  near  Mecbanicsville.  The  enemy’s 
right  being  thus  closely  pressed,  they  at  once  moved  down  troops 
to  prevent  a further  dangerous  concentration  in  that  quarter. 

Early  Tuesday  morning,  the  second  corps  moved  out;  and  Bir- 
ney’s  division,  on  the  right,  rushed  at  and  carried  a breast-work  of 
the  enemy  on  tlie  suntlierly  side  of  Tolopotamoy  Creek.  The  con- 
flict was  short,  and  the  Union  loss  only  about  thirty  men.  Nearly 
forty  j)risoners  of  Breckinridge’s  command  were  ca[itured.  It  was 
the  outer  line  of  the  enemy’s  intreuchineuts  at  this  point,  and  was 
easily  carried. 

But  General  Grant’s  real  purpose  on  Tuesday  was  again  to  try 
his  favorite  plan  of  shifting  position  by  successively  subtracting 
the  corps  holding  the  extreme  right,  and  sending  them  over  to  the 
left.  Torbert’s  division  of  cavalry  was  therefore  dispatched  to 
reconnoiter  thoroughly  the  condition  of  the  ground  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cold  Harbor,  and  to  hold  it  at  all  hazards  for  the  occupation  of 
infantry.  AVhile  there  they  came  against  a part  of  Fitz  Hugh  Lee’s 
cavalry  supported  by  Clingman’s  brigade  of  Hoke’s  North  Caro- 
lina division.  A sharp  fight  ensued,  vvhich  resulted  in  the  Federal 
troops  holding  the  desired  ground.  Meanwhile,  on  the  other  wing 
of  the  army,  a brigade  of  Wilson’s  cavalry  was  successfully  skir- 
mishing with  a brigade  of  Wade  Hampton’s  command.  Ledlie’s 
brigade  of  Burnside’s  corps  also  came  into  a brief  action  with  the 
enemy  and  advanced  its  skirmish  line.  Besides  these  engagements, 
there  was  desultoi'y  firing  throughout  the  day  along  the  whole  line. 

On  Wednesday,  June  1st,  cavalry  fighting,  with  artillery  firing, 
was  resumed  on  both  flanks.  Heavy  skirmishing  also  occurred  in 
front  of  Hancock  and  elsewhere.  The  conflict  was  most  severe  at 
Cold  Harbor ; as  the  enemy  were  determined  to  drive  out  the 
Union  forces,  and  Sheridan’s  orders  were  to  hold  this  point. 
Hoke’s  division  wtis  completely  repulsed  by  Sheridan’s  dismounted 
cavalry,  fighting  with  carbines.  Somewhat  later,  this  division 
was  heavily  reinforced,  and  the  farther  advance  of  the  Federal 
troops  checked. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  morning  affair,  Wright’s  long  expected 
sixth  corps  arrived  at  Cold  Harbor  cross-roads,  and  deployed  into 
line  as  its  subdivisions  came  up,  on  the  right  of  Gaines’  Mill  road. 
About  three  o’clock.  Smith’s  eighteenth  corps,  for  whose  arrival 
Wright  had  been  waiting,  came  into  the  field.  Without  stopping 
to  rest  the  newly  arrived  corps,  a charge  was  ordered  at  once.  A 


457 


Cold  Harbor,  Fa. 

plowed  field  extended  along  the  front;  and  beyond  was  a strip 
of  pine  forest  in  which  the  enemy  lay  intrenched.  The  artillery 
on  the  Union  left  and  rear  fired  very  sharply  for  an  hour ; and  at 
length,  about  six  o’clock,  the  line  dashed  forward.  In  the  center 
were  two  divisions  which  rushed  across  the  plowed  ground, 
through  the  strip  of  green  plain,  and  into  the  woods,  while  a deadly 
storm  of  musketry  and  artillery  raked  their  ranks.  The  charge 
was  made  upon  the  run,  and  both  divisions  dashed  over  the  rebel 
earth-works  with  great  spirit ; taking  and  holding  their  first  lino 
of  rifle-pits  and  capturing  about  600  prisoners.  In  this  charge, 
Drake’s  flrst  brigade,  in  the  advance  of  one  of  the  divisions,  was 
badly  cut  up ; and  by  the  time  they  had  reached  the  abattis  and 
entanglements  in  the  woods,  had  scarcely  enough  men  left  to  sur- 
mount them.  Barton’s  second  brigade  at  this  critical  juncture 
sprang  forward,  and  gallantly  crossing  the  open  field,  under  a mur- 
derous fire,  swept  the  obstacles,  and  carried  the  rifle-pits,  capturing 
200  prisoners  in  them.  The  enemy,  however,  still  held  his  line  on 
the  Union  right,  and  began  to  enfilade  the  captured  rifle-trench. 
Accordingly  Barton  was  reinforced ; and,  after  a sharp  contest,  ef- 
fected a lodgment  in  the  line.  But  it  was  soon  found  that  a redoubt 
in  the  second  line  of  the  enemy  completely  commanded  this  posi- 
tion ; and,  amid  a heavy  fire,  it  was  relinquished. 

During  the  night,  the  enemy,  recognizing  the  importance  of  their 
loss,  made  desperate  efforts  to  regain  tlie  position,  and  greatly  an- 
noyed the  Unionists  in  the  rille-pits  with  an  enfilading  fire.  But 
their  desperate  charges  were  all  repelled.  The  Union  loss  was  over 
2,000 ; that  of  the  enemy  probably  much  less  in  killed  and  wounded, 
as  they  fought  behind  breast- works. 

While  the  battle  was  going  on  at  the  left,  there  was  hot  work  in 
front  of  the  other  corps.  All  day  there  was  cannonading  and  mus- 
ketry firing  in  the  region  of  Belhesda  Church.  Toward  night, 
after  the  battle  had  opened  at  Cold  Uarbor,  the  skirmishing  grew 
brisker,  and  the  artillery  on  both  sides  fired  rapidly.  In  the  after- 
noon there  was  a forward  movement  of  two  divisions  on  the  right — 
probably  with  a view  to  cover  an  intended  withdrawal  of  the 
second  corps  from  right  to  left  to  follow  the  footsteps  of  the  sixth, 
already  advanced  to  extend  the  Union  flank  in  that  direction.  The 
result  was  a rally  of  the  rebels  in  force  and  a determined  attack 
toward  evening  on  the  entire  Union  line,  as  soon  as  the  two  divi- 
sions had  fallen  back. 

The  enemy  came  on  closely  massed,  regardless  of  the  gaps  made 


458 


Cold  Harbor,  Va. 


by  the  artillery.  As  soon  as  musketry  was  of  avail,  both  parties 
delivered  heavy  volleys,  the  Federal  men  being  closely  packed  be- 
hind their  works.  Several  distinct  and  desperate  charges  were 
made  by  tlie  enemy ; and  it  was  late  at  night  before  they  desisted, 
their  retirement  being  succeeded  by  the  advance  of  the  ’Jnion  men 
to  the  skirmish  line.  No  authentic  estimate  of  the  losses  at  this 
part  of  the  line  is  given  ; but  1,000  will  probably  caver  the  casual- 
ties. The  enemy  must  have  suffered  severely. 

Taking  the  day  through,  it  may  be  said  to  have  resulted  favor- 
ably to  the  Unionists;  as  they  gained  on  the  left  the  possession  of 
Cold  Harbor,  a point  of  much  importance  not  only  in  reference  to  the 
subsequent  crossing  of  the  Chickahoininy,  but  also  as  commanding 
the  road  to  their  base  of  supplies  at  White  House. 

Wednesday  night  it  was  determined  to  follow  up  the  occupation 
of  Cold  Harbor  by  a serious  attempt  to  push  the  enemy  across 
the  Chickaliominy  and  establish  a place  of  fording.  In  accordance 
with  this  plan,  the  second  corps  was  drawn  off  from  the  right  and 
Tiiarcheil  atu’oss  tlio  lino  to  the  extreme  left — whieli  it  reae.hed  be- 
fore Thursday  noon — so  as  to  form  a massive  power  at  that  point. 
The  attack  was  ordered  for  Thursday  evening,  but  was  ultimately 
postponed  till  Friday  morning. 

Meanwhile  considerable  skirmishing  occurred  along  the  line,  but 
no  general  engagement.  Gregg,  on  the  extreme  left,  pushed  out 
his  cavalry  to  cover  Hancock’s  corps  ; and,  after  brisk  artillery  fir- 
ing, effected  a connection.  General  Torbert  stretched  out  still 
farther  to  the  left,  in  the  region  of  Bottom’s  Bridge. 

On  the  right,  some  changes  were  also  made  in  position,  with  a 
view  to  massing  the  Union  line  on  the  left,  contracting  and  strength- 
ening it,  and  arranging  for  the  approaching  attack.  These  move- 
ments provoked  lively  skirmishing ; and  in  the  afternoon,  the 
enemy  charged  the  fifth  and  ninth  corps  just  after  they  had  left 
their  breast- works.  Two  brigades  of  the  fifth  were  particularly 
exposed,  and  suffered  considerably.  The  loss  in  the  ninth  corps 
v/as  about  250,  that  of  the  fifth  still  greater.  The  enemy  were 
thoroughly  repulsed,  the  Union  artillery  and  infantry  firing  having 
deadly  effect  on  their  charging  columns.  The  old  positions  were 
then  retaken — the  ninth  corps  also  remaining  substantially  on  its 
former  ground,  instead  of  moving  down  to  occupy  the  place  of  the 
fifth.  The  enemy  had  interfered  with  the  Federal  maneuver,  but 
had  gained  no  advantage. 

Friday  morning,  at  four  o’clock,  was  the  time  at  which  the 


459 


Cold  Harbor,  Va. 

momentous  assanlt  was.  to  coiunicnee.  The  Federal  line  was  well 
massed  and  compact — comjjosed  as  follows  from  riylit  to  left:  Burn- 
side, Warren,  Smitli,  AVright,  Hancock — reaching  from  Tolopotamoy 
Creek  to  and  across  the  road  from  Cold  Harbor  to  the  Chickahom- 
iny.  The  ground  along  the  lino  was  varied  with  woodlands, 
swamps,  and  open  tracts,  the  Union  left  being  on  a position  a littlo 
elevated,  and  the  rebel  line  Ijing  in  a strip  of  woods  and  covering 
the  series  of  roads  parallel  to  the  river. 

Promptly,  at  the  appointed  hour,  the  skirmishers  advanced;  and 
very  quickly  the  line  was  wrapped  in  the  fire  and  smoke  of  terrific 
battle.  Two  divisions  dashed  gallantly  forward,  across  woodlands 
and  underbrush  ; and  again  emerging  into  an  open  space,  swept  by 
shot  and  shell,  charged  straight  up  the  acclivity  on  which  the  rebels 
had  concentrated  their  men  and  artillery — as  being  the  stronghold 
of  their  lino.  They  swept  the  troops  of  Breckinridge  from  the 
summit;  and  for  a brief  moment  w'ere  masters  of  the  position. 
But  the  enemy,  knowing  the  importance  of  holding  tliis  point, 
hurled  his  second  line  upon  the  decimated  Union  columns.  The 
bravery  of  the  two  Federal  divisions  had  carried  them  beyond  the 
front  of  the  Union  line,  and  had  already  exposed  them  to  a mur- 
derous enfilading  fire  of  artillery,  which  the  foe  hurled  upon  them, 
on  seeing  their  intrenchments  lost.  Swept  by  this  flank  fire  and 
now  overwhelmed  in  front,  the  gallant  divisions  pushed  out  of  the 
intrenchments  ; but  not  till  they  had  captured  a rebel  flag  and  300 
prisoners — all  secured  and  sent  to  the  rear.  Indeed,  at  one  time, 
they  were  masters  of  double  the  number  of  prisoners  and  many 
guns,  could  they  have  been  supported  for  a brief  interval  or  pro- 
tected by  a friendly  cannonade.  At  length  they  withdrew,  under 
a heavy  fire ; but  persistently  halted  and  iuti  enched  themselves 
when  they  were  under  partial  cover,  remaining  all  day  fifty  yards 
from  the  enemy’s  breast-works. 

AVith  not  less  gallantry,  at  the  same  early  hour,  the  sixth  and 
eighteenth  assaulted  with  their  entire  force,  and  met  with  a simi- 
lar experience.  Charging  through  the  underbrush  and  across  the 
open  tract,  they  carried  the  first  line  of  intrenchments ; but  it  was 
only  to  meet  the  murderous  enfilading  fire,  which  was  hurled  upon 
all  the  advanced  brigades.  For  a long  time  the  latter  clung  ob- 
stinately to  their  conquests ; but  these  were  finally  wrested  from 
them,  and  they  were  forced  back  with  heavy  loss.  Here,  as  on  the 
left,  the  Unionists  held  and  intrenched  a jiosition  considerably  in 
advance  of  the  starting-point,  in  close  proximity  to  the  enemy’s 

23 


■460 


Cold  Harbor^  Fa. 


works.  Meanwhile,  on  the  right,  the  fiftli  and  ninth  corps  pnshed 
out  their  skirniisliing  lines  to  take  [)art  in  the  fray.  Burnside 
opened  a heavy  cannonading,  and  kept  it  uj)  through  the  morning. 
About  noon,  Warren  made  a fine  charge  at  the  foe,  with  Griffin’s 
division,  quickly  carrying  the  opposing  line  of  skirmishers.  But 
the  brunt  of  the  battle  was  not  here.  All  day  long  the  fierce  can- 
nonading continued,  with  the  crackling  fusilade  of  skirmishers,  it 
seeming  as  if  the  Union  generals  could  not  believe  that  the  day 
was  decided,  and  were  waiting  to  try  the  issue  of  conflict  once 
more.  The  entire  Union  lino  was  pushed  forward  close  to  the 
enemy.  Retreat  and  advance  were  equally  impossible  for  these 
men;  but  they  fought  with  invincible  courage,  receiving  and  re- 
pelling repeated  charges ; till  at  last,  sucli  as  were  left  were  safely 
withdrawn,  under  a protecting  fire,  from  their  perilous  position. 
Both  armies  kept  close  to  their  breast-works,  the  exposure  of  a 
figure,  at  that  narrow  distance,  being  surely  fatal. 

About  eight  o’clock,  a furious  assault  was  made  on  the  extreme 
left,  extending  down  also  to  the  front  of  the  sixth  corps.  Mus- 
ketry and  artillery  at  once  raked  the  assaulting  column,  with  a ter- 
ribly destructive  firb.  After  a severe  struggle,  the  enemy  were 
finally  repulsed ; and  though  firing  was  renewed  somewhat  later, 
the  day  was  substantially  closed. 

The  Union  loss  in  prisoners  probably  exceeded  that  of  the  enemy. 
As  the  latter  fought  under  signal  advantage,  their  casualties  on  the 
whole  were  less  severe.  The  entire  Federal  loss  was  supposed  to 
he  between  5,000  and  7,000. 

Friday’s  battle  on  the  whole  had  disappointed  the  hopes  of  the 
Federal  leaders.  The  foe  had  been  found  too  strongly  posted  for 
the  Union  army  to  carry  his  works ; and  all  efforts  to  cross  the 
Chickahominy  at  this  point  had  been  repelled.  But  there  was  no 
disposition  to  retire.  Intrenching  in  jjosition  was  the  next  step; 
and  accordingly  with  whatever  tools  could  be  procured,  the  loyal 
troops  busily  prosecuted  the  erection  of  temporary  breast  works. 
Four  successive  night-engagements  followed  the  contest  of  Friday; 
and  for  a week  after  its  occurrence  there  was  pretty  constant  skir- 
mishing by  day.  The  hostile  lines  were  separated  by  distances 
varying  from  only  100  to  200  yards.  The  proximity  made  the 
picket  firing  eery  deadly,  and  many  of  the  most  gallant  Unionists 
escaped  the  terrible  carnage  of  a dozen  pitched  battles  only  to  fall 
by  the  casual  bullet  of  some  rebel  sharp-shooter,  after  the  roar  of 
the  contest  was  over.  This  desultory  firing  of  marksmen  varied  in 


. Mount  Crawford^  Va.  461 

intensity  at  different  parts  of  the  line,  and  on  different  days — it 
being  fatal,  at  times,  to  show  one’s  figure  for  a single  instant  above 
the  intrenchments.  Staff  ofEcers,  the  signal  corps,  and  artillery- 
men occasionally  suffered  considerable  from  the  necessity  of  expo- 
sure. Cannonading  was  also  kept  up  for  several  days,  the  artillery 
dueling  being  often  designed  to  prevent  the  construction  of  new 
works  or  to  hinder  changes  of  position. 

Meanwhile  the  quieter  scenes  ouce  described  at  Spottsylvania 
were  repeated — busy  work  at  White  House  and  on  the  roads  there- 
from to  camp ; the  forwarding  of  ammunition  and  supplies  of  all 
sorts ; the  caring  for  the  wounded  and  their  transportation  from 
the  field,  and  the  various  labors  of  commissaries,  quartermasters, 
and  surgeons.  Reinforcements  of  new  troops  and  of  convalescents 
began  to  fill  up  the  depleted  ranks.  New  assignments  and  organ- 
izations were  necessary,  in  divisions,  brigades,  and  battalions. 
Regiments  cut  to  fragments  by  a score  of  bloody  frays  were  to  bo 
consolidated,  and  the  whole  army  put  in  condition  for  a campaign 
which  might  not  allow  another  prostrated  pause. 


MOUNT  CRAWFORD,  VA. 

Junk  6,  1864. 

Vnionistn^  under  General  ITnnter,  not  reported. 

Diaunicnisi^.,  under  General  Jones.  Killed  and  wounded^  not  stated  ; prisoners^ 
1,600. 

On  Sunday,  the  6th,  General  Hunter  met  the  enemy  under  Gen- 
eral Jones  near  Mount  Crawford,  twelve  miles  north  of  Staunton, 
and  totally  routed  them,  after  a spirited  battle  of  ten  hour4’  dura- 
tion. The  enemy  were  twice  repulsed  ; when  they  retired  behind 
their  breast-works,  and  resisted  with  determination  the  advance  of 
the  Unionists.  Several  desperate  but  fruitless  attempts  were  made 
to  dislodge  the  foe,  resulting  in  considerable  loss  on  both  sides. 

In  this  emergency  General  Hunter  displayed  his  strategic  ability 
by  ordering  Colonel  Thoburn’s  brigade  which  was  stationed  on  the 
left,  watching  the  rebels,  to  join  another  brigade  and  advance  on 
the  rear  of  the  enemy’s  breast-works.  At  two  o’clock,  Thoburn 
moved  across  from  the  position  he  held  on  the  left — marching  his 
command  in  regimental  column,  and  hiding  the  movement  as  much 
as  possible  from  the  foe — until  he  came  within  400  yards  of  the 
woods  skirting  their  works.  Forming  into  line  on  the  double- 
quick,  and  firing  a volley,  he  charged  into  the  woods  and  drove 


462 


Petersburg^  Va. 


the  enemy  at  tlie  point  of  the  bayonet.  To  crown  the  victory,  tlio 
Twentietii  Pennsylvania  daslied  in,  and  captured  600  prisoners,  in- 
cluding four  colonels  apd  lifty-six  officers  of  minor  rank. 

Colonel  McReynolds,  with  the  entire  cavalry  force,  started  in 
pursuit;  and  continued  to  harass  the  retreating  foe;  hut  worn  out 
with  fighting  and  abstinence  from  food,  they  were  unable  to  pursue 
them  a great  distance.  The  enemy,  in  their  precipitate  flight, 
abandoned  about  1,400  stands  of  arms,  and  left  the  body  of  their 
commanding  officer  on  the  field. 

Hungry  and  tired,  hut  elated  with  success,  the  Union  army  en- 
camped at  Piedmont  for  the  night,  and  on  the  following  day  marched 
to  Staunton,  where  they  captured  and  destroyed  about  $3,000,000 
worth  of  property.  The  rebel  killed  and  wounded  are  not  report- 
ed ; the  whole  number  of  i)risoner3  taken  by  the  Unionists  was 
1,600. 

. 

PETERSBURG,  VA. 

June  8,  IB&l. 

Vnioni8t ft y under  GeneniU  Gillmore  and  Kautz,  4,900.  Killed  and  wmindedy  80. 
DinuniimistHy  under  General  lieauregiird.  Killed  and  iotmndtdy  not  reported  i 
jn'inonerey  40. 

DnniNG  the  night  of  June  8th,  an  expedition  under  General  Gill- 
more  set  out  for  the  capture  of  Petersburg.  Preparations  to  ope- 
rate in  that  direction  had  been  previously  made  by  preparing  a 
bridge  to  be  thrown  across  the  Appomattox  and  sending  the  gun- 
boats to  explore  the  river. 

The  pontoons  having  been  laid  down  near  Point  of  Rocks,  the 
movement  commenced  about  midnight.  General  Kautz  commanded 
the  cavalry  of  the  expedition,  and  General  Hinks  and  Colonel  Haw- 
ley were  in  charge  of  the  two  infantry  brigades.  Deserters  having 
repeatedly  reported  Petersburg  depleted  of  troops  in  order  to  rein- 
force Lee  in  front  of  Richmond,  it  was  decided  that  Gillmoi'e 
should  take  the  turnpike  road,  and  assault  the  city  on  that  side ; 
while  General  Kautz,  making  the  circuit  of  the  place,  should  assail 
the  southerly  side;  and  thus,  the  movements  being  simultaneou-, 
both  forces  might  enter  the  city  together. 

Kautafe  select  cavalry,  1,400  strong,  first  crossed  the  pontoon 
bridge;  and  were  quickly  followed  by  Hawley’s  brigade,  while  the 
latter,  on  crossing  the  Appomattox,  were  joined  by  a brigade  from 
Hinks’  (colored)  division ; thus  making  the  whole  force  4,900. 


463 


Guntown,  Miss. 


Before  eight  o’clock  on  tlie  morning  of  the  8th,  Follett’s  battery 
commenced  shelling  the  rebel  lines  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Clifton. 
Two  gun-boats  opened  fire  on  the  same  position  ; and,  until  noon, 
the  gun-boats  and  land  batteries  kept  up  a brisk  demonstration. 

While  General  Butler  was  thus  diverting  the  enemy’s  attention, 
the  cavalry  and  infantry  columns  jiressed  on  ; made  the  detour  of 
the  Clifton  Battery,  to  avoid  its  fire;  and  continued  toward  Peters- 
burg. The  infantry  encountered  no  serious  opposition  till  within 
about  two  miles  of  the  city;  where  they  met  the  enemy’s  skirmish 
line,  and  briskly  drove  it  back  in  a short  contest.  Having  reached 
the  front  of  the  city,  where  the  fortifications  could  be  critically 
examined,  General  Gillmore  determined  that  they  were  too  strong 
for  the  force  at  his  command ; and  accordingly  withdrew  about 
noon,  and  returned  to  camp  the  same  evening. 

Meantime,  General  Kautz  had  forced  the  enemy’s  intrenchments, 
actually  reached  the  city  streets,  and  had  briskly  engaged  in  figlit- 
ing;  in  momentary  expectation  that  the  infantry  would  arrive  to 
his  support.  But  the  rebels,  seeing  Gillmore’s  troops  withdrawn, 
concentrated  their  force  against  him,  and  he  was  compelled  to  re- 
tire— bringing  away  with  him  forty  prisoners.  His  loss  was  about 
a score  of  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  General  Gillmore’s  was 
still  less. 


GUNTOWN,  MISS 

Jgne  10,  18G4. 

VnionUtSy  under  General  8,000.  Killed  and  'icounded^^^Q\  prisoners^ 

1,000. 

DisunionUtSy  under  General  E.  Kirhy  Smithy  10,000.  Lossesy  not  reported. 

June  1st,  an  expedition  under  General  Sturgis,  comprising  two 
brigades  of  infantry,  two  of  cavalry,  two  regiments  of  colored  in- 
fantry', and  a company  of  light  artillery,  left  Memphis,  with  a train 
of  200  wagons  well  laden  with  supplies,  and  proceeded,  via  Collins- 
ville, in  a direction  east  by  south,  toward  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
Kailroad. 

Having  advanced  as  far  as  Salem,  a detachment  of  300  men  was 
sent  out  on  a raid  through  Ripley,  Riga,  and  Danville.  The  main 
body  remained  at  Salem  three  days  ; and  on  the  9th  moved  through 
Ripley,  in  a southwest  direction,  camping  for  the  night  eight  mih's 
from  Old  Town  Greek.  The  cavalry,  imdcr  Grierson,  which  was 
several  miles  in  advance  of  the  main  body,  crossed  tlue  creek  on  the 


4G4 


Guntmcn^  3Iiss. 


following  niorning,  and  soon  after  became  engaged  with  a small 
force  of  rebel  cavalry  which  fell  back,  after  delivering  a volley, 
closely  pursued  by  the  Unionists.  The  mounted  force  being  thus 
liurried  on,  the  infantry  was  soon  left  five  miles  in  the  rear. 

Continuing  the  pursuit  for  about  two  miles,  the  leader  suddenly 
found  himself  confronted  by  a sti  ong  line  of  battle,  commanding 
the  road  from  both  sides.  The  enemy’s  men  were  so  disposed  as  to 
conceal  from  sight  the  advanced  situation  of  his  flanks,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  mislead  as  to  his  numerical  strength  by  having  only 
the  center  in  view.  The  ruse  was  successful.  Grierson,  greatly 
under-estimating  the  strength  of  the  foe,  and  deceived  as  to  their 
jiosition,  moved  forward  with  his  entire  division  and  made  a gene- 
eral  onset.  The  resistance  encountered  soon  showed  that  they  had 
attacked  a superior  force ; and  the  vigor  with  which  the  enemy 
fought,  threw  the  line  into  some  confusion,  though  not  sufllcient  to 
compel  it  to  retire,  had  it  not  become  jjalpable  that  the  cavalry 
must  fall  back  and  await  the  arrival  of  the  infantry.  A retreat 
was  therefore  ordered.  They  withdrew  rapidly  to  the  west  bank 
of  Old  Town  Creek,  to  await  the  appearance  of  the  enemy  in  front, 
and  the  arrival  of  reinforcements  from  the  rear. 

They  had  hardly  reached  the  west  aide  of  the  stream,  when  the 
foe  appeared  on  the  eastern  side.  Grierson  immediately  formed  his 
men  in  line  of  battle,  and  the  action  became  general.  The  firing 
of  the  previous  engagement  near  Guntown  had  been  heard  by  the 
main  army,  and  the  infantry  at  once  pushed  forward,  and  at  this 
stage  of  the  battle,  McMillan’s  brigade  arrived,  formed,  and  went 
gallantly  into  the  fight. 

The  full  artillery  strength  of  both  armies  was  now  brought  into 
play,  and  the  roar  of  battle  was  continuous  for  more  than  an  hour, 
now  breaking  out  in  thundering  crashes  for  several  minutes,  and 
then  dying  away  into  a few  scattering  shots,  to  be  followed  by  an- 
other crash,  and  another  lull.  There  was  no  occasion  for  maneu- 
vering— the  contending  armies  were  fairly  confronted.  The  rebels 
could  not  have  bettered  their  admirable  position ; while  the  Union- 
ists could  gain  no  advantage  over  the  foe  by  changing  theirs. 

But  it  soon  became  apparent  that  while  the  fire  of.the  enemy  was 
rapidly  thinning  the  Union  ranks,  the  answering  discharges  had  no 
telling  effect  upon  the  rebels,  concealed  as  they  were  by  the  natu- 
ral advantage  of  their  position.  It  was  also  possible  that  the  rebels 
might  detach  a body  of  troops,  and  attack  the  rear.  In  view  of 
these  facts,  it  was  determined  to  retreat.  The  train  of  200  wagons 


Cynthiana^  JTy. 


407 


■was  faced  about  and  put  in  motion  ; and  as  soon  as  they  were  well 
on  their  way,  the  troops  were  rapidly  withdrawn.  The  enemy 
quickly  started  in  pursuit,  and  a continual  skirmish  was  kept  up 
for  nearly  ten  miles;  when  the  retreating  column  came  upon  the 
ponderous  wagon  train  making  every  exertion  to  get  through  the 
swamp  through  which  the  road  led. 

At  this  point  ensued  a scene  of  confusion  seldom  equaled.  The 
Unionists  were  brought  in  line,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  the 
rebels  in  check  until  the  teams  could  be  got  out  of  the  way.  But 
the  formation  was  hardly  completed  before  a terrible  onslaught 
upon  the  Union  front  and  both  flanks  almost  swept  the  defensive 
ranks  away.  Amid  the  clash  of  arms,  the  discharge  of  musketry, 
the  shouts  of  the  combatants,  and  the  loud  imprecations  of  the 
panic-stricken  teamsters,  vainly  endeavoring  to  urge  their  teams 
through  the  mire,  a fearful  rout  commenced.  All  organization,  ex- 
cept with  the  two  negro  regiments,  was  forgotten.  The  latter  held 
their  ground,  and  fought  like  madmen;  until  literally  pushed  along 
by  the  surge  of  the  indiscriminately  mingled  mass  of  pursued  and 
pursuers.  It  now  became  evident  that  the  tram  must  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  foe,  and  orders  were  given  to  cut  the  animals  loose 
and  burn  the  wagons.  Notwithstanding  that  the  army  was  so 
heavily  pressed,  the  order  was  jiromptly  executed;  and  the  conse- 
quent accumulation  of  debris  delayed  further  pursuit  fur  an  hour. 

Again  the  remnants  of  the  column  were  started  in  retreat;  leav- 
ing behind  fourteen  cannon — previously  spiked — nearly  a thousand 
killed  and  wounded,  and  a still  larger  number  of  prisoners.  Night 
was  approaching,  but  the  weary  troops  dared  not  pause  a moment 
until  they  reached  a point  twenty-five  miles  from  the  field  of  the 
opening  fight;  and  there,  throwing  themselves  upon  the  ground, 
they  sought  relief  from  the  hardships  of  the  day  in  refreshing  sleep. 


CYNTHIANA,  KY. 

Juke  11  and  12, 1864. 

Unionists^  und^r  Generals  Burbridge  and  Hobson.  Killed  and  tcoitncfdcf,  200 ; 
prisoners  from  1,200  to  1,400. 

Visunionists^  under  General  Morgan^  3,000  Killed^  800 ; tcounded^  275 ; pria^ 
oneia,  400. 

Gknekal  Morgan,  with  about  3,000  rebels,  attacked  the  One? 
Hundred  and  Sixty-eighth  and  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-first  Ohio 
regiments  under  General  Hobson,  at  Cynthiana,  June  12;  and 


468 


Tremlian  Station,  etc.,  Va. 


after  a severe  engagement,  compelled  the  Union  commander  to  snr- 
render,  on  condition  tliat  lus  men  should  ho  immediately  exchang- 
ed. The  fighting  took  place  principally  in  the  streets  of  the  town, 
and  some  of  Hobson’s  troops  sought  refuge  in  the  court-house.  In 
order  to  dislodge  them,  a stable  near  by  was  set  on  fire  ; and  the 
conflagration  spreading,  about  twenty  buildings  were  consumed. 
The  rebels  captured  from  1,200  to  1,500  prisoners.  The  Union  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  was  fifty -five. 

The  following  morning  General  Uurbridge  attacked  Morgan  at 
Cynthiana;  and  after  an  hour’s  hard  lighting,  completely  routed 
him,  killing  500,  wounding  nearly  as  many,  and  capturing  400,  be- 
sides recapturing  about  100  of  General  Hobson’s  command,  and 
over  1,000  horses.  Burbridge  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  150. 
Morgan’s  forces  fled  in  all  directions,  completely  demoralized. 


TREVILIAN  STATION,  ETC.,  VA. 

June  11  and  12,  1864. 

TJnionistSy  under  General  Sheridan.  J\ilUdy^b:  \DOunded  priHoners,!^^. 
Viaunionitils,  under  various  lenders.  Losses  in  killed  and  wounded^  heavy 
hers  not  reported') ; prisoners^  370. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  General  Sheridan,  with  a strong  cavalry  force, 
set  out  for  a raid  upon  the  rebel  line  of  communication  between 
Eichmond  and  Gordonsville.  Proceeding  by  way  of  Childsburg 
and  Newmarket,  he  encamped  on  the  10th  inst.  at  Buck  Childs, 
about  three  miles  nortlieast  of  Trevilian  Station.  It  was  his  inten- 
tion to  break  the  railroad  at  this  point,  inarch  thence  through 
Mechanicsville,  cut  the  Gordonsville  and  Charlotte  Railroad  near 
Lyndsay’s  house,  and  thence  to  march  on  Charlotteville.  On  his 
arrival  at  Buck  Childs,  however,  ho  found  a strong  force  of  the 
enemy’s  cavalry  in  his  immediate  front. 

On  tlio  morning  of  the  11th,  General  Torhert,  with  his  division, 
and  Colonel  Cregg,  of  Geiieial  Gregg's  division,  moved  out  and  at- 
tacked the  foe.  After  an  obstinate  contest  tlioy  drove  him  from 
successive  lines  of  breast-works,  tlirough  an  almost  impassable 
forest,  back  on  Trevilian  Station. 

In  the  mean  time  General  Custer  had  been  ordered  to  proceed 
with  his  brigade  by  a country  road,  so  as  to  reach  the  station  in 
the  rear  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry.  On  his  arrival  there,  the  rebels 
broke  into  a complete  rout,  leaving  their  dead  and  many  of  tlieir 


l'revUi<(n  etc.,  I'a.  4G'J 

wounded  in  the  Union  hands,  also  twenty  officers,  500  men,  and  300 
horses. 

But  General  Sheridan,  approaching  a^;  this  juncture  from  another 
direction,  and  driving  a body  of  rebels  before  him,  forced  them 
upon  Custer’s  rear,  where  the  prisoners  just  captured  were  under 
guard.  The  latter  were  immediatelj'  set  at  liberty  by  their  friends, 
and  succeeded  in  escaping,  taking  with  them  General  Custer’s  pack 
train,  his  headquarters  wagon,  and  the  few  men  which  had  com- 
posed their  guard.  Five  caissons  of  Pennington’s  battery  were  also 
captured  during  their  movement,  three  of  which  were  afterward 
retaken. 

Night  having  now  obscured  the  roads,  the  pursuit  of  the  retreat- 
ing enemy  was  abandoned,  and  the  wearied  Unionists  encamped  at 
Trevili.an  Station.  On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  they  commenced 
destroying  the  railroad  thence  to  Lorraine  Court  House,  burning 
the  ties  and  bending  the  rails  so  as  to  render  them  unserviceable. 
The  work  was  completed  about  three  o’clock  p.m.  General  Tor- 
bert's  division  and  General  Davies’  brigade  were  dien  ordered  to 
proceed  in  the  direction  of  Gordonsville  and  attack  the  enemy,  who 
had  concentrated  at  a point  about  five  miles  from  there,  where  they 
had  been  reinforced  by  infantry  during  the  night,  and  had  con- 
structed rifle-pits.  The  advance  was  made;  but  the  rebel  position 
was  found  too  strong  for  a general  assault.  On  the  extreme  right 
of  the  Union  lines,  a portion  of  a brigade  carried  the  enemy’s 
works  twice,  and  was  twice  driven  therefrom.  Night  closed  the 
contest. 

On  examination  of  his  command.  General  Sheridan  found  that 
his  stock  of  ammunition  was  in  danger  of  exhaustion,  and  that  the 
horses  were  suffering  for  want  of  forage — the  surrounding  country 
affording  only  the  poorest  grazing,  and  generally  at  such  points  as 
were  inaccessible.  Accordingly  he  drew  off  his  forces,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  join  the  main  army.  The  losses  of  his  troops  during 
their  encounters  with  the  enemy  were  about  eiglity-live  killed,  490 
wounded,  and  160  prisoners.  The  enemy’s  losses  were  said  to  bo 
very  heavy,  including  Brigadier-General  Rosser.  Three  hundred 
and  seventy  prisoners  were  captured,  including  twenty  commis- 
sioned officers. 


470  Petersburg^  Ya. 

PETERSBURG,  VA. 

June  15  to  18,  1864. 

Unionists^  under  Generals  Grant  and  Meade^  not  far  from  140,000.  Losses^ 
about  10.000. 

DUunionists,  under  General  Lee,  probably  about  100,000,  Losses,  less  than  on 
the  Union  side ; numbers  not  reported. 

On  the  night  of  Sunday,  June  12tli,  the  Army  of  tlie  Potomac, 
abandoning  its  position  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chickahominy, 
began  another  grand  flank  movement,  such  as  had  already  proved 
thrice  successful  during  its  present  campaign.  The  sistli  and  nintli 
corps,  crossing  the  river  at  Jones’  Bridge,  ten  or  twelve  miles  be- 
low Bottom’s  Bridge — where  the  enemy’s  right  was  intrenched — 
proceeded  toward  Charles  City  Court  House,  a mile  from  the  James 
River;  while  the  second  and  fifth  corps,  crossing  at  Long  Bridge, 
six  or  seven  miles  below  Bottom’s  Bridge,  took  the  road  to  Wil- 
cox’s Wharf  on  the  James  River.  At  the  same  time,  the  eighteenth 
corps  marched  to  White  House,  and  there  took  transports  to  the 
James;  and  without  pausing  passed  directly  u])  the  stream,  to 
Bermuda  Hundred,  a landing  on  the  south  side. 

The  place  designated  for  crossing  the  other  corps  to  the  south 
side  of  the  James  was  Powhatan  Point,  near  Wilcox’s  Wliarf ; and 
at  this  locality  General  Butler  had  carefully  prepared  pontoons. 
On  Tuesday,  the  Union  forces  were  all  up;  and  the  passage  of  the 
stream  was  commenced  and  effected  without  delay. 

The  entire  movement  from  the  Chickahominy  was  consummated 
without  the  loss  of  a wagon  or  a single  piece  of  artillery,  and  at 
the  cost  of  but  a few  hundred  men.  The  column  which  moved 
from  Long’s  Bridge  to  Wilcox's  Wharf  had  indeed  a sharp  engage- 
ment with  the  rebels  near  White  Oak  Bridge,  on  the  borders  of 
the  swamps,  on  Monday  afternoon;  but  Wilson’s  cavalry,  in  the 
advance,  with  Crawford’s  advance  division  of  the  fifth  corps,  suc- 
ceeded in  driving  back  the  foe.  The  Federal  loss  in  this  affair  was 
not  more  than  150  or  200.  Adding  to  this  an  equal  number,  for  a 
skirmish  line  cut  off  at  Cold  Harbor  and  for  stragglers,  400  would 
probably  cover  the  whole  loss  since  the  beginning  of  the  movement. 

On  Wednesday,  the  15th,  the  cavalry  made  a reconnoissanco 
toward  Malvern  Hill  on  the  north  side,  and  found  the  enemy  posted 
in  strong  force,  and  evidently  suspicious  that  the  Newmarket  road 
to  Richmond  might  after  all  be  the  one  actually  attempted.  One 
regiment  of  the  cavalry  got  partially  ambushed,  and  suffered  a 
slight  loss.  The  reconnoitering  revealed  the  fact  that  A.  P.  Hill’s 


(' 


Petersburg^  Va. 


471 


corps  was  holding  the  region  southeast  of  the  city  in  force.  The 
Federal  loss  was  about  100. 

Meanwhile  more  important  work  was  going  on  along  the  south 
side.  At  oue  o’clock  Wednesday  morning,  the  eighteenth  corps, 
which  had  arrived  the  previous  evening  at  Bermuda  Hundred, 
moved  forward  to  attack  the  works  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  if 
possible  to  effect  the  reduction  of  the  city.  Kautz's  cavalry,  in 
the  advance,  crossed  the  Appomattox  by  means  of  apj)ntoon  bridge 
thrown  across  near  Point  of  Bocks.  Brooks’  and  Martindale’s  di^- 
sions  followed  next,  with  Ilinks’  two  brigades  of  colored  troops. 

The  rosy  beams  of  early  dawn  fell  faintly  upon  the  armed  host 
as  it  trailed  along,  paling  the  dim  firelight  that  marked  its  way,  and 
dispelling  grim  visions  of  the  battle-field  that  haunted  loyal  breasts. 
Still  the  dark  column  moved  slowly  on,  the  day  grew  brighter,  and, 
at  length,  the  sunlight  flashed  from  gun-barrels  and  bayonets,  from 
s.aber  scabbards  and  the  polished  cannon,  lighting  even  the  somber 
Parrott  guns  with  its  morning  smiles.  Soon  after  sunrise  Kautz 
encountered  the  rebel  skirmishers,  and  drove  them  out  of  a small 
earth  work  on  the  City  Point  road,  along  which  he  had  advanced. 
Brooks’  division  and  the  negro  troops  followed  rapidly,  and  soon 
the  dispersion  of  the  rebel  picket  line  uncovered  a row  of  rifle- 
trenches  with  two  twelve-pounders,  from  which  solid  shot  flew  over 
the  heads  of  the  column.  Ilinks  deployed  skirmishers  and  scat- 
tered the  enemy  through  some  adjacent  woods,  and  eventually 
secured  a position  near  Baylor’s  farm,  from  which  two  colored  reg- 
iments gallantly  carried  the  enemy’s  works,  capturing  one  of  the 
guns  and  turning  it  promptly  on  the  retreating  foe.  He  lost  only 
about  thirty  men. 

Brooks’  division  now  moved  up  with  Burnham’s  brigade  in  ad- 
vance, and  entered  a strip  of  woods  which  concealed  the  outer 
main  line  of  Petersburg’s  defenses.  Meanwhile,  Ilinks  carried  his 
division  off  to  the  left,  on  the  Jordan  Point  road,  while  Martindalo 
■was  conducting  his  division  on  the  river  road,  which  ho  had  taken 
at  the  start.  A line  was  thus  formed  in  front  of  the  strong,  well- 
built  intrenchineiits,  with  Martindalo  on  the  right,  Brooks  in  the 
center,  and  Ilinks  on  the  left  Brisk  skirmishing  broke  out  hero 
and  there  while  the  positions  were  being  taken,  and  the  Unionists 
suffered  severely  from  the  fire  of  the  sharp-shooters.  Just  as  the 
sun  was  sinking  amid  gorgeous  clouds  and  gilding  the  landscape 
with  his  dying  glory,  the  silvery  notes  of  the  bugle  rang  out  upon 
the  oveuiiig  air,  and  the  order  to  carry  the  works  by  assault  was 


472 


Petersburg^  Va. 


quickly  given.  The  entire  lino  instantly  sprang  forward,  and  swept 
the  range  of  ri(le-i)it3  with  heroic  gallantry,  under  a scathing  artil- 
lery fire.  The  enemy  recoiled  before  this  overwhelming  charge, 
broke  and  fled  wildly  from  his  intrenchments,  leaving  in  the  hands 
of  the  Federalists  sixteen  guns,  a battle-flag,  and  300  prisoners. 
The  position  secured  was  two  miles  distant  from  the  devoted  city. 
The  out-works  were  very  strongly  built,  and  if  completely  manned, 
njight  have  resisted  far  more  obstinately. 

The  Union  losses  in  the  assault  were  estimated  at  500.  About 
night-fall,  the  second  corps  began  to  arrive ; and  before  morning,  all 
the  troops  had  reached  the  scene  of  action.  During  Wednesday 
night,  Birney’s  division  held  the  captured  works — the  enemy  mak- 
ing fruitless  efforts  to  wrest  them  from  the  victors. 

While  the  infantry  was  operating  from  the  northeast  on  Peters- 
burg, Kautz,  on  the  extreme  left,  moved  against  the  works  near  the 
Norfolk  Railroad.  A hot  cannonade  was  first  opened  on  the  enemy’s 
position,  which  was  strongly  fortified  by  artillery,  supported  by 
infantry.  After  the  artillery  fire,  the  Union  troops  made  a fierce 
charge  with  carbines.  The  defense  was  too  strong  to  yield  to  as- 
sault, however ; and  Kautz  reluctantly  retired. 

Thus  far  Petersburg  had  been  defended  chiefly  by  its  local  garri- 
son ; but  now  the  neighboring  rebel  forces  hurried  to  its  assistance. 

Thursday  morning  dawned  gloriously ; the  valley  of  the  Appo- 
mattox smiled  in  peaceful  beauty ; the  golden  cornfields  stretched 
along  the  river  bank,  and  the  trees  bent  low  with  their  wealth  of 
fruit.  Beyond  rose  the  glittering  spires  of  Petersburg,  between 
which  and  the  Union  position  were  seen  the  dim  outlines  of  new 
works  which  the  rebels  bad  been  industriously  employed  on  during 
the  night.  Away  to  the  left  was  the  line  of  works  captured  the 
previous  evening.  Directly  in  front  was  an  abrupt  descent,  and 
beyond  the  approach  to  Petersburg  was  a tolerably  level  country. 

General  Butler,  having  heard  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  rebel 
forces  from  his  front  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  sent  out  General  Terry 
with  a force  to  reconnoiter.  The  advance  soon  encountered  and 
drove  in  the  enemy ; and  the  reserves  coming  up,  the  rebel  lino 
was  penetrated  and  carried,  and  the  railroad  subsequently  reached, 
near  Port  Walthall  Junction.  A part  of  the  command  paused  here 
and  commenced  a work  of  destruction  upon  the  railroad  track  and 
telegraph  line ; but  were  finally  overpowered  by  a superior  rebel 
force,  and  compelled  to  retire. 

While  these  operations  were  in  progress  at  the  last-named  point, 


Petersburg^  Va. 


473 


the  Union  troops  were  encircling  Petersburg.  ’ The  city  was  de- 
fended by  several  series  of  strong  earth-works,  consisting  not  only 
of  square  redoubts,  but  also  of  well-established  and  commanding 
rifle-trenches.  The  outer  lines  had  been  carried  on  Wednesday 
night,  before  sufficient  troops  could  be  hurried  forward  by  the 
rebels  to  make  its  natural  strength  fully  effective.  The  want  of  a 
supporting  force  alone  prevented  the  ca[)ture  of  the  second  lino  of 
intrenchments.  The  way-worn  troops  were  approaching,  however, 
as  rapidly  as  possible.  Birney’s  division  arrived  first,  and  threw 
itself  into  the  captured  works.  During  the  night,  the  remainder 
of  the  second  corps  came  up. 

Early  in  the  morning  General  Birney  sent  Colonel  Egan’s  brigade 
against  a redoubt  on  his  left;  and  after  a brilliant  dash,  it  was  car- 
ried with  a loss  of  200  men.  Skirmishing  and  cannonading  ensued 
on  their  attempt  to  push  forward  the  Federal  picket  lines,  and  the 
Union  artillery  responded  briskly  to  the  foe.  Meantime  the  rebels 
were  so  heavily  reinforced  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  await  the 
arrival  of  Burnside’s  corps.  The  latter  arrived  late  in  the  after- 
noon, after  a severe  forced  march  from  Charles  City  Court  House, 
and  a line  of  battle  was  quickly  formed,  w’ith  the  eighteenth  corps 
on  the  right,  the  second  in  the  center,  and  the  ninth  on  the  left. 

Promptly  at  six  o’clock  the  attack  was  made,  and  prosecuted  vig- 
orously for  three  hours.  Birney’s  division  carried  the  crest  in 
front,  and  held  it  firmly.  On  the  left,  the  struggle  was  spirited  and 
energetic.  At  length  Miles’  and  Griffin’s  brigades  made  a fierce 
charge,  under  destructive  artillery  fire,  and  succeeded  in  gaining  a 
foothold  in  the  rifle-pits  outside  the  stronger  works.  Here  the 
Union  troops  were  annoyed  by  the  enemy’s  fire,  and  Barlow  determ- 
ined to  make  an  assault  on  the  main  intrenchments.  Burnside 
prepared  a column  to  make  the  attempt  in  connection  with  Barlow. 
But  meanwhile  the  enemy  opened  so  severely  on  Burnside,  as  to 
banish  all  hope  of  surprise.  The  rebels  also  cut  off  the  skirmish 
line  in  front  of  Barlow,  amounting  to  300  men,  with  their  officers. 
The  assault  was  then  suspended  till  morning.  The  entire  Union 
loss  was  probably  from  1,500  to  2,000.  The  enemy’s  loss  was  sup- 
posed to  be  much  less,  on  account  of  their  advantage  of  position.  * 

The  din  of  battle  had  sc|ircely  died  away  on  Thursday  when  ac- 
tive preparations  were  made  for  an  attack  at  daylight  the  following 
morning.  At  four  o’clock,  Friday  morning,  Burnside  ordered  Pot- 
ter’s division  to  take  the  works  in  his  front.  Griffin’s  brigade,  sup- 
ported by  Curtin’s  made  a gallant  dash  on  the  position,  carrying  it 


474 


Petersburg^  Va. 


as  it  were  by  a wbirlwind,  capturing  six  guns,  sixteen  officers,  400 
men,  and  a stand  of  colors.  The  Union  loss  was  about  600.  After 
this  brilliant  achievement,  a pause  occurred  in  the  assault;  but 
brisk  skirmishing  was  kept  up  by  the  picket  lines,  and  the  artillery 
continued  a moderate  but  constant  fire.  In  the  afternoon  Ledlie’s 
division  relieved  the  assaulting  party  of  the  morning,  and  advanced 
upon  the  enemy.  Charging  over  a broad  field  under  an  oblique 
fire  on  either  side,  they  reached  the  rebel  intrenchraents.  The 
conflict  was  sanguinary,  but  of  short  duration.  The  combatants 
fought  with  wild  desperation  across  the  breast- works,  from  which 
the  foe  were  soon  driven,  and  the  position  carried  with  the  capture 
of  some  prisoners.  Repeated  efforts  were  made  to  regain  the  lost 
intrenchments  ; but  all  were  steadily  and  promptly  repulsed.  Led- 
lie’s loss  was  roughly  estimated  at  1,000. 

The  rest  of  the  line  had  been  engaged  in  skirmishing,  without 
attempt,  however,  at  decisive  assault.  The  chief  movements  of 
the  day  were  those  of  the  morning  and  evening  by  Uurnsido. 

About  nine  o’clock,  Friday  night,  the  enemy  appeared  in  force 
in  Birney’s  front,  but  was  promptly  driven  back.  A little  later  a 
desperate  and  successful  effort  was  made  to  retake  the  works  cap- 
tured during  the  day.  The  rebels  moved  in  two  columns,  one  in 
front,  the  other  in  flank.  A sharp  contest  ensued.  The  rebels  suc- 
ceeded in  leaping  the  works,  under  cover  of  darkness,  and  drove 
out  the  Federal  troops.  In  the  opening  of  the  attack,  200  rebels 
were  captured ; but  in  yielding  up  the  works,  equal  loss  was  suf- 
fered by  the  Unionists.  This  success  of  the  foe  closed  the  contest 
for  the  day. 

The  night,  like  the  previous  one,  was  spent  in  preparation  for  a 
renewal  of  the  attack  on  the  following  day.  At  four  o’clock,  Sat- 
urday morning,  the  assault  was  to  be  made.  Skirmishers  were 
promptly  sent  out;  but  the  wily  foe  had  abandoned  the  works  in 
front  for  an  inner  series  of  defenses.  A recon noissance  of  the 
rebels’  new  line  of  defense  was  made ; and,  at  noon,  a general  ad- 
vance of  the  three  left  corps  was  ordered.  In  the  second  corps. 
General  Gibbon  pushed  up  an  assaulting  column  of  three  brigades. 
The  other  corps  threw  out  double  lines  of  skirmishers  to  divert 
the  enemy’s  attention.  The  storming  party  moved  up  to  the  works 
to  be  assaulted,  and  were  met  by  a myrderous  fire,  which  enfiladed 
their  left.  They  struggled  desperately  tlirough  it ; but  incessant 
volleys  tore  madly  through  their  ranks,  and  even  veteran  troops 
recoiled.  The  breast-works  were  approached,  though  not  reached; 


475 


'Vicinity  of  Cherbourg  Harbor,  France. 

and  the  Unionists  retired,  leaving  their  fallen  comrades  on  the  gory 
field. 

But,  with  a determination  that  disaster  inspires  in  the  hearts  of 
the  brave,  another  struggle  was  quickly  determined  upon,  and  a 
second  assaulting  party  organized,  to  commence  the  attack  from 
General  Mott’s  position.  A little  before  five  o’clock  p.m.,  Mott 
moved  out  his  force  in  two  columns ; and,  in  gallant  style,  the  two 
advance  brigades  burst  upon  the  enemy.  A withering  fire  from 
concentrated  batteries  and  musketry  swept  down  upon  them,  liter- 
ally strewing  the  ground  with  the  dead  and  dying.  They  struggled 
fearfully,  making  almost  superhuman  effort  to  breast  tbe  storm  ; 
but  resistance  was  fruitless,  and  they  fell  back  with  heavy  loss. 
The  charge,  though  unsuccessful,  Avas  eminently  worthy  of  the 
proverbial  gallantry  of  the  corps.  At  other  points  along  the  line 
vigorous  assaults  were  also  made  upon  the  enemy’s  works  ; but  all 
attempts  at  penetration  of  his  main  line  of  iutrenchmeuts  were 
completely  foiled. 

The  strife  extended  into  the  night,  and  gradually  subsided  into 
occasional  picket  firing.  The  operations  of  the  day  were  in  no  in- 
stance crowned  with  success,  and  the  loss  of  life  was  fearful.  The 
casualties  of  the  second  corps  alone  were  estimated  at  1,500.  The 
four  days  of  carnage  probably  deprived  the  Union  army  of  10,000 
men. 




VICINITY  OF  CHERBOURG  HARBOR,  FRANCE. 

Junk  19,  1864. 

Union  gun-boat  Kearsarge,  commanded  hy  Captain  Winslow,  seven  guns  and 
62  men.  Wounded^  8. 

Confederate  cruiser  AUihatnay  commanded  hy  Captain  Semmes.^  eight  guns  and 
about  CO  men.  Killed^  16 ; xcoundedy  26  ; drtnvncd^  about  20 ; prisonevs.^  C7. 

Again  the  great  anniversary  of  American  Independence  brought 
with  it  the  glad  tidings  of  victory,  causing  the  national  heart  to 
exult  in  the  pride  of  its  country’s  strength,  and  its  deliverance 
from  a pestilent  scourge. 

The  19th  of  June  terminated  the  infamous  career  of  the  corsair 
Alabama,  which  bad  indicted  upon  the  commerce  of  the  United 
States  a series  of  piracies  depriving  it  of  100  vessels  with  their 
cargoes  valued  at  $20,000,000. 

The  Alabama  entered  the  harbor  of  Cherbourg,  June  11th,  from 
Cape  Town,  with  the  crews  of  two  American  merchantmen  which 


476 


ViGinity  of  Cherbourg  Harbor^  France. 

she  had  captured  and  destroyed  on  the  passage.  The  Kearsarge 
arrived  olF  this  port  three  days  later,  liaving  been  cruising  in  and 
about  the  Channel  since  the  last  of  March,  watching  particularly 
for  the  Kappahannock.  On  the  15th,  the  day  after  the  arrival,  her 
commander  received  from  the  consular  agent  of  the  United  States 
at  the  port,  a note  containing  an  extract  from  a letter  written  by 
the  rebel  agent  at  Cherbourg,  and  purporting  to  quote  from  a com- 
munication of  Captain  Semines,  of  the  Alabama,  in  which  he  avowed 
the  presence  of  the  Kearsarge  in  the  vicinity  of  the  port  an  open 
insult  to  the  Confederate  flag ; and  further  stated  that  be  intended 
to  give  her  fight,  also  “ begged  that  she  would  remain  olF  the  port, 
where  he  hoped  not  to  detain  her  longer  than  to-morrow  or  next 
day  at  farthest.” 

Captain  Winslow  made  no  reply  to  this  boasting  irony  ; but  pre- 
pared his  ship  for  the  approaching  conflict.  Nothing  further  was 
heard  from  the  rebel  ship  till  Sunday  the  19th,  the  Kearsarge  mean- 
time continuing  her  cruise  off  the  port.  The  Sabbath  dawned 
gloriously,  the  azure  of  the  heavens  seemed  reflected  upon  the 
waters,  and  the  curled  waves  danced  sportively  in  the  golden  sun- 
light. Early  in  the  ip^rning  the  Alabama  was  observed  making 
preparations  to  cast  loose  from  her  moorings,  with  the  evident  de- 
sign of  putting  out  to  sea.  This  immediately  induced  the  Deer- 
hound (an  English  yacht  desirous  of  witnessing  the  engagement) 
to  steam  up,  and  leave  Cherbourg  at  nine  o’clock  a.m.  An  hour 
and  a half  later,  the  Alabama  followed,  also  the  French  iron-clad 
Couronne,  which  took  up  a position  within  three  miles  of  land,  to 
prevent  fighting  in  neutral  waters.  Captain  Winslow,  perceiving 
these  movements,  headed  his  vessel  out  to  sea,  and  steamed  away 
from  the  port  until  ho  had  reached  a distance  of  about  seven  miles, 
the  rebel  corsair  following  in  her  wake,  at  a distance  of  a mile  and 
a half, — the  rebel  flag,  so  soon  to  be  brought  low,  flaunting  defi- 
antly in  the  breeze. 

After  reaching  an  offing  at  the  distance  mentioned,  the  Kear- 
sarge slackened  her  speed  and  turned  her  broadside  toward  the 
Alabama.  Eeserving  her  fire  she  permitted  her  antagonist  to  ap- 
proach within  twelve  hundred  yards,  when  the  latter  opened  the 
combat  with  a broadside  fired  at  the  Kearsarge.  The  shots  were 
ineffective,  however,  one  or  two  passing  beyond,  the  rest  falling 
short.  The  wild  reverberations  of  the  cannon  and  the  wicked 
whizzing  sound  of  the  shot  excited  the  Unionists  and  made  them 
eager  to  respond.  Their  commander  deemed  it  wise,  however,  to 


Yicinitij  of  Cherbourg  JTarhor^  loanee.  477 

allow  the  confident  foe  to  approach  still  nearer.  The  Alabama, 
advancing  slowly,  fired  a second  and  third  broadside — but  none  of 
the  shots  were  effective — before  her  antagonist  replied. 

At  length  the  proper  distance  being  attained.  Captain  Winslow 
opened  upon  the  rebel  ship,  and  poured  broadside  after  broadside 
into  her  with  great  rapidity.  Thousands  of  spectators,  eager  to 
witness  the  strife  of  the  combatants,  gathered  upon  the  hilltops 
looking  out  on  the  ojien  sea,  and  watched  with  thrilling  interest 
the  beautiful  maneuvering  of  the  vessels. 

The  fire  immediately  became  rapid  and  continuous  on  both 
sides.  Each  vessel  of  course  kept  up  her  steam,  aud  sailed  in  a 
circle  directly  opposite  to  the  other,  keeping  the  starboard  battery 
bearing  upon  her  antagonist.  They  continued  approaching  each 
other;  until,  toward  the  end  of  the  fight,  a distance  of  but  about 
five  hundred  yards  intervened.  The  Alabama  fired  much  more 
frequently  than  the  Kearsarge,  and  wasted  more  powder  and 
balls.  Her  shots  were  generally  badly  aimed  ; though  some 
of  them  struck  and  cut  the  rigging  of  her  antagonist,  inflicting, 
however,  no  serious  damage. 

The  fight  ’commenced  at  twenty  minutes  past  ten  o’clock,  and 
lasted  a little  more  than  an  hour.  During  this  lim;  four  shots 
lodged  in  the  hull  of  the  Kearsarge.  One  rifle-shot  [)assed  through 
her  smoke-stack ; another  rifle-shell,  through  tlie  starboard  side, 
below  the  main  rigging,  near  the  shear  planks, — bursting,  and 
wounding  three  men,  causing  the  only  casualties  to  her  crew  dur- 
ing the  conflict.  Another  rifle-shell  struck  under  the  stern,  and 
lodged  in  the  rudder-post  without  explosion  ; while  still  another 
carried  away  the  starboard  life-buoy.  Three  thirty-two-pounders 
passed  the  port  side  opposite  the  ward-room  hatch.  Several  struck 
the  starboard  light ; but  their  force  was  broken  by  chains  hung  on 
the  sides  to  cover  and  protect  the  boilers,  these  therefore  inflicted 
no  damage.  Shots  were  constantly  whizzing  through  the  rigging 
like  hailstones,  and  it  seems  almost  a miracle  that  so  few  casualties 
occurred. 

The  first  shot  noticed  as  producing  effect  upon  the  Alabama 
struck  her  amidship,  making  a perceptible  gap  in  her  upper  works. 
About  the  middle  of  the  fight  an  eleven-inch  shell  exploded  on  the 
rebel  cruiser’s  deck,  killing  fifteen  men  instantly.  From  the  deck 
of  the  Kearsarge  it  could  be  j)lainly  seen  that  her  destructive  firo 
was  seriously  injuring  her  opponent ; and  as  shot  after  shot  struck 
her  side,  loud  cheers  went  up  from  the  Union  vessel. 

24 


47a 


"\Yddon  Hailroad,  near  Petersburg,  Vd. . 


At  quarter-past  eleven  kwas  observed  that  Captain  Semmesliad 
turned  round  and  commenced  steaming  in  the  direction  of  the  French 
coast.  'I'lio  Kearsarge  followed  immediately  ; but  tbe  Alabama  con- 
tinued to  fire  her  stern  gun,  till,  finding  that  the  former  vessel  was 
rapidly  gaining  on  her,  she  slackened  her  speed.  No  white  flag 
being  seen  from  the  Kearsarge,  a final  broadside  was  delivered  by 
her,  which  did  more  damage  than  all  the  previous  ones. 

The  white  flag  was  then  rim  up  from  tbe  rebel  vessel,  and  the 
firing  ceased.  A boat  immediately  approached  the  Kearsarge,  tbe 
commander  of  which  reported  the  Alabama  in  a sinking  condition, 
and  requested  boats  to  save  tbe  crew.  All  the  available  boats  were 
now  lowered  and  manned  ; but  before  a single  one  could  reach  her, 
the  rebel  ship  went  down — down  to  tbe  depths  of  tbe  ocean.  The 
men  jumped  overboard  as  she  was  sinking,  and  many  were  doubt- 
less drowned ; seventy  were  all  that  were  saved  by  the  uninjured 
boats  of  the  Alabama,  or  rescued  from  the  waves  by  those  of  the 
Kearsarge.  At  this  juncture  the  Deerhound  came  in  sight.  Cap- 
tain Winslow  hailed  her  and  asked  her  assistance  in  rescuing  the 
drowning  men  of  tbe  Alabama.  She  proceeded  toward  them,  low- 
ered her  boats,  picked  up  a few  men,  and  then,  without  approach- 
ing the  Kearsarge  again,  steamed  away,  and  spreading  her  canvas, 
beaded  toward  tbe  English  coast.  Captain  Sernmes  was  among 
tbe  number  that  escaped  in  the  yacht.  Captain  Winslow,  after 
saving  all  tbe  men  be  could  find,  took  a pilot  and  entered  tbe  port 
of  Cherbourg  ; where  lie  immediately  parolled  the  prisoners — sixty- 
seven  in  number, — assigning  as  a reason  that  he  had  no  room  to 
keep  them  in. 

Thus  ended,  with  the  destruction  of  the  “rebel  cruiser,”  one  of 
the  most  interesting  naval  contests  of  the  age. 


WELDON  EAILROAD,  NEAR  PETERSBURG,  VA. 

June  22  ani>  23, 1864. 

U7ti<mi}itH^  under  Qmeral  Mende^  about  65,000.  Killed  and  woxinded^  about  600; 
jtrinonera,  ntaWy  2,600. 

DUunionlatHy  under  Qe.neral  Zee,  numbers  not  reported.  Loan,  much  Uaa  than 
on  Union  aide. 

On  WedSesday,  June  22d,  a portion  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac moved  against  the  Weldon  Railroad — it  being  resolved  to 
secure  a severance  of  communications  below  Petersburg,  now  that 
tbe  early  capture  of  the  city  was  dos[)aired  of.  It  was  intended,  if 
possible,  to  take  the  enemy  unawares ; but  he  was  perfectly  alert, 


"Weldon  Haih’oad,  near  Petersburg,  Va.  479 

and  readj^  long  before  the  arrival  of  the  Unionists.  Preliminary 
arnangeinents  were  made  for  Wilson’s  and  Kaiitz’s  cavalry  to  make 
a detour  to  the  south,  and  cut  the  railroad  ten  miles  south  of  Peters- 
burg. This  was  handsomely  accomplished  on  AVednesday  morning. 
Meantime,  the  sixth  corps  prepared  to  move  directly  against  the 
railroad,  in  conjunction  with  the  second.  The  march  was  conducted 
with  something  of  the  cool  dash  which  characterized  other  move- 
ments of  the  campaign.  The  rebels,  discovering  the  advance  of 
the  Unionists,  moved  upon  them  simultaneously,  and  the  opposing 
forces  soon  came  into  collision. 

The  first  indication  of  the  enemy’s  presence  was  a firing  on  Bar- 
low’s  flank,  rapidly  spreading  toward  his  rear.  Hill’s  rebel  corps, 
designing  to  check  the  movement  upon  the  railroad,  was  swiftly 
approaching  in  dense  columns,  which  pressed  hard  upon  a heavy 
body  of  skirmishers.  At  this  juncture  the  sixth  corps  was  far  dis- 
tant on  the  left  and  rear,  making  a gap  in  the  Pederal  line.  The 
foe  immediately  seized  this  advantage  and  sent  forward  an  entire 
division,  which  came  driving  through  the  interval.  Barlow’s  skir- 
mishers were  instantly  overcome.  The  I'ebel  column,  sweeping  all 
before  it  with  impetuous  rush,  glanced  diagonally  between  the  two 
corps,  struck  Barlow’s  flank  with  great  force,  and  almost  instantly 
rolled  it  back,  taking  several  hundred  prisoners.  The  sudden  recoil 
of  this  division  quickly  uncovered  the  left  flank  of  Mott,  and  ex- 
posed him  to  the  same  disaster.  The  latter,  in  his  turn,  fell  back, 
also,  with  the  loss  of  many  prisoners;  and  thus  deprived  Gibbon’s 
left  of  protection. 

Meanwhile  other  rebel  troops  had  joined  the  assault,  and  having 
captured  Mott’s  whole  line  of  intrenchments,  ne.xt  assailed  Gibbon 
in  front  and  rear.  His  right  brigades  successfully  repelled  the  as- 
sault ; but  the  left  were  almost  encircled  by  fire.  A four-gun  bat- 
tery now  opened  upon  the  rebels ; but  the  supporting  force  was 
driven  back,  and  Gibbon’s  lino  of  intrenchments  seized.  In  the 
sudden  shock  and  wild  confusion,  several  entire  regiments  were 
swept  off  and  captured  without  opportunity  for  stout  resistance. 
The  battery  was  then  surrounded  and  ca[)tured  entire ; though 
most  of  the  hor.«es  and  some  of  the  men  escaped  to  the  rear. 

At  this  point  the  Twentieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  executed  a 
change  of  front  with  its  small  force  ; and  by  coolness,  courage,  and 
skTll,  checked  the  triumphant  advance  of  the  exultant  enemy. 

At  length  the  broken  columns  were  rallied.  But  the  rebels 
were  somewhat  exhausted  by  their  exertions,  and  had  also  been 


480 


'Weldon  Railroad^  near  Retersburg^  "Fa. 


cliecked  by  a single  regiment.  An  attempt  at  this  time  to  break 
tlie  few  stubborn  troops  on  Gibbon’s  former  front,  was  handsomely 
repulsed.  Toward  evening,  General  Biriiey  ordered  a division  to 
retake  the  battery ; a sharp  fight  followed ; but  the  foe  resisted 
successfully. 

A little  later,  General  Meade,  observing  that  the  force  of  the 
enemy  was  entirely  unable  to  cope  with  that  of  the  Unionists,  if 
the  latter  were  properly  disposed,  sent  forward  the  sixth  and  second 
corps.  The  former  encountered  little  resistance,  and  secured  an  ad- 
vantageous position.  The  latter  were  less  fortunate,  but  finally 
succeeded  in  regaining  ground  wrested  from  them  in  the  morning. 
Ilere  they  went  into  intrenchments ; and  passed  the  night  in  throw- 
ing up  works,  and  protecting  the  line  with  batteries.  Picket  firing 
was  kept  up  till  morning — the  Union  forces  pausing  only  when 
do  3 upon  the  enemy. 

At  daylight,  a reconnoissance  disclosed  the  fact  that  the  enemy 
were  strongly  intrenched  on  the  northern  side  of  the  Weldon 
Railroad. 

This  unfortunate  affair  resulted  in  a loss  of  2,000  prisoners  to 
the  Unionists,  including  fifty-five  officers;  also  of  500  killed  and 
wounded. 

After  night-fall,  the  rebels  pausing  on  the  Union  left,  opened 
briskly  on  the  troops  in  the  center.  The  attack  consisted  of  an 
intensely  hot  fire  of  both  artillery  and  musketry,  to  which  the  op- 
posing force  responded,  now  in  volleyed  musketry,  and  now  with 
batteries,  a great  part  of  the  night.  No  advance  was  attempted  on 
either  side. 

Thursday,  the  23d,  there  was  a slight  forward  movement  on  the 
left,  which  proved  the  strength  of  the  foe,  and  their  intention  to 
defend  the  Weldon  Railroad.  The  latter,  however,  as  before  stated, 
had  been  cut  by  Wilson  and  Kautz,  who  had  now  swept  across  to 
cut  the  Danville  road.  But  Wright,  swinging  round  on  the  ex- 
treme left,  found  that  the  enemy  had  not  yet  extended  so  far,  and 
sent  out  a small  reconnoitering  force  to  the  railroad.  They  reached 
it  unopposed,  and  cut  the  telegraph.  A brigade  was  dis[)atched  to 
the  road  to  bold  it.  They  had  scarcely  reached  the  point,  when  a 
rebel  division  swept  down  on  their  flank,  turned  their  position  at 
once,  and  repulsed  them.  The  rebels,  flushed  with  success,  pressed 
the  men  completely  back  to  the  main  body,  and  then  attacked 
right  and  left.  The  Federal  lino  was  withdrawn  toward  evening, 
to  cover  the  breast-works,  and  operations  ceased. 


Petersburg,  Va. 


481 


PETERSBUEG,  VA. 

Junk  24,  1864. 

XlnioniHUt^  rinder  General  Grant.  Total  losseft^  about  40. 

Disunionistsy  under  General  Lee,  Killed  and  wounded,  probably  not  less  than 
60 ; pf'isonerfi,  165. 

TiiiE  morning  of  June  24tli  oi)ene(l  with  a heavy  cannonade. 
For  two  liours  the  earth  trembled  with  the  tliunder  of  a hundred 
guns;  it  seemed  like  a grand  artillery-carnival.  Reports  of  a great 
battle  in  progress  flew  on  swift  wings,  the  continuous  roar  of  can- 
non giving  the  impression  of  a fearful  conflict  to  those  who  were 
distant  from  the  scene.  It  soon  transpired,  however,  that  the 
enemy  had  been  merely  wasting  ammunition  in  concentrating  a 
tremendous,  though  harmless,  fire  upon  the  troops  and  batteries  of 
the  18th  corps.  Terrible  as  was  the  tempest  of  shot,  shell,  grape, 
and  canister,  the  injury  inflicted  was  utterly  insignificant.  The 
battle  opened  at  half-p.ast  six  o’clock,  and  closed  about  nine.  The 
Federal  batteries  meantime  replied  in  spirited  style;  and  the  can- 
nonading rose  along  the  line,  till  the  mortars  of  the  second  corp-s, 
miles  away,  rang  the  chorus. 

At  length  the  rebels  attacked  with  men  as  well  as  cannon.  They 
moved  a thin  line  upon  the  works  and  were  speedily  repulsed  ; 105 
of  their  number  being  taken  prisoners.  Nearly  all  of  these  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Colonel  Henry’s  brigade  of  Stannard’s  division.  Col- 
onel Henry,  observing  that  the  force  advancing  was  too  feeble  to 
inspire  fear,  at  once  withdrew  his  pickets,  and  ordered  his  men  not 
to  fire.  The  rebels,  encouraged  by  this,  advanced  boldly  toward 
the  Union  intrenchments;  but  at  length  met  a fearful  fire  that 
mowed  down  their  numbers  by  scores. 

Their  i)rogress  was  checked  ; but  to  retreat  was  as  much  out  of 
question  as  to  advance.  While  in  this  dilemma,  the  Union  troops 
continued  firing  rapidly  upon  them.  They  early  made  signs  to  sur- 
render, and  as  soon  as  their  wish  was  ascertained,  firing  was  dis- 
continued, and  165  of  their  number  were  captured.  Thirty-six 
wounded  were  found  on  the  battle-field.  In  the  afternoon  there 
were  mysterious  general  movements  by  the  enemy,  and  the  Fed- 
eral force  was  marched  to  meet  him ; but  nothing  serious  was 
attempted. 

P 


482  Reams  Station^  Stony  CreeJCy  etc.y  Va. 


REAMS  STATION,  STONY  CREEK,  ETC.,  VA. 

(WILSON  AND  KAUT2’8  RAID.) 

Junk  22  to  30, 18G4. 

Unionist^y  under  Gen&raU  Wilaan  and  Kautz,  about  7,000.  Total  loss,  from  1,000 
to  1.200. 

Disunionisti^  under  General  Fitz  Tltigh  Lee  and  others;  numherfiy  largehj  exceeds 
ing  those  of  the  Unionists^  Losses,  not  reported. 

AiiOTiT  two  o’clock  on  tlie  morning  of  Juno  22il,  Wilson  set  out 
from  liis  camps  on  Blackwatcr  Greek,  and  moved  southward.  The 
force  composing  the  expedition  consisted  of  General  Wilson’s  own 
division,  also  that  of  General  Kautz,  numbering  in  all  from  6,000 
to  8,000  men.  This  force  was  accompanied  by  three  batteries 
of  four  guns  each,  half  rifled  ordnance,  and  half  light  twelve- 
pounders,  also  one  battery  of  small  mounted  howitzers. 

The  column  struck  the  Petersburg  and  Weldon  Railroad  at 
Reams  Station.  Tliey  immediately  commenced  their  work  of  de- 
struction, cutting  the  road,  tearing  up  the  track  fur  several  hundred 
yards,  and  burning  the  depot  and  other  imblic  buildings. 

Crossing  the  country,  the  column  moved  by  way  of  Dinwiddle 
Court  House  to  Sutherland’s  Station,  where  it  struek  the  Peters- 
burg and  Lynchburg  Railroad  ; and  thence  marched  on  to  Ford’s 
Station,  about  twenty-two  miles  west  of  Petersburg,  Kautz  being 
in  advance.  This  point  was  reached  before  evening;  and  by  mid- 
night two  locomotives,  sixteen  cars,  a depot,  and  a few  stores  were 
burned  ; several  miles  of  track  were  also  destroyed,  and  the  com- 
mand then  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  23d  they  resumed  their  march, 
General  Kautz  leading  the  advance.  Near  Nottoway,  a force  of 
rebel  cavalry,  comprising  two  brigades,  appeared  on  the  right  flank 
of  the  Union  column,  while  moving  some  distance  along  the  south 
side  of  the  road.  The  second  brigade  immediately  engaged  tho 
enemy ; and,  after  considerable  fighting,  they  were  forced  back. 
General  Kautz  meantime  moved  on  to  Burkesville  ; and,  after  de- 
stroying a large  amount  of  public  property,  rested  there  for  tho 
night. 

General  Wilson  with  the  remainder  of  his  force  had  bivouacked 
at  Nottoway  Court  House,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  24th,  pushed 
across  the  country  to  Medlers’  Station,  destroying  as  he  advanced. 
Effecting  a junction  with  Kautz  at  th#  station,  the  entire  force 
marched  to  Greenville,  and  tarried  there  till  the  following  day. 


Hearns  Station,  Stony  Creek,  etc.,  Va.  433 

Tlieir  work  was  resumed  early  in  the  morning;  and,  soon  after 
mid-day,  they  readied  the  vicinity  of  Staunton  Bridge,  having 
completely  demolished  every  foot  of  railroad  up  to  this  point. 
Miles  of  the  track  (consisting  of  wooden  stringers,  edged  with 
strap-iron)  were  at  once  wrapped  in  flames ; and  at  night  the  broad 
canopy  of  heaven  was  one  glare  of  light.  During  the  day,  these 
conflagrations,  added  to  tlio  already  insufferable  temperature  of  the 
atmosphere,  rendered  the  heat  so  intense  that  the  inhabitants  in  the 
vicinity  were  obliged  to  flee  from  their  homes.  Soon  after  the  ar- 
rival of  the  troops  in  the  neighborhood  of  Staunton  Bridge,  General 
Kautz  attempted  to  destroy  the  bridge.  But  his  approach  had 
been  heralded  in  advance,  and  the  enemy  were  prepared  for  strong 
resistance. 

Militia  from  eight  adjoining  counties  had  been  hastily  called  to- 
gether and  concentrated  at  this  point.  The  force  was  protected  by 
substantial  earth-works,  of  which  there  were  three  lines ; and,  in  a 
sort  of  redoubt,  there  were  three  heavy  guns.  A battery  farther  up 
the  river  opened  an  enfilading  fire  upon  the  Union  troops  as  they 
advanced.  A Union  battery  wnas  directed  against  the  bridge,  where 
the  enemy’s  sharp-shooters  were  posted,  and  put  a check  upon, 
their  annoying  fire.  But  the  number  of  rebel  troops  and  the  char- 
acter of  their  defense  being  learned,  the  Federal  force  withdrew, 
satisfied  that  an  attempt  to  overcome  tlie  foe  would  be  futile. 

The  raiders  moved  hence  in  a southeasterly  direction  toward 
AVilliesbnrg,  which  they  reached  eai’ly  on  the  morning  of  the  2Gth. 
The  two  following  days  were  markecT  by  few  events  of  importance. 
In  crossing  Stony  Creek,  on  the  28th,  the  rebel  pickets  were  en- 
countered at  the  bridge;  and  no  sooner  had  tlie  Union  vanguard 
passed  over,  than  the  rebels  began  to  show  a spirited  resistance. 
They  were  driven  back,  however,  and  the  entire  Federal  force  ef- 
fected a crossing.  They  soon  came  upon  the  enemy  again,  in  heavy 
force,  and  a severe  contest  ensued.  Under  a galling  fire,  the  Union- 
ists formed  a slight  breast-work ; and,  prostrating  themselves  be- 
hind it,  repelled  several  desperate  charges.  After  five  hours’  fight- 
ing, it  was  found  impossible  to  force  a passage  at  this  point,  and 
General  Wilson  sent  General  Kautz  up  a left-hand  road  to  Reams 
Station. 

The  enemy  were  found  strongly  posted  at  this  point  also,  and 
Kautz’s  division  at  once  became  stoutly  engaged.  General  Wilson 
j)a8sed  along  the  rear  of  the  latter,  and  was  about  to  take  position 
on  his  left;  when  ho  was  attacked  by  a heavy  force  of  rebel  infan- 


484  WhiLe  House,  St.  Ifary's  Church,  etc.,  Ya. 

try.  The  cotiiiuiiiuliiig  general,  perceiving  Unit  liis  force  was  about 
to  be  aiirroiindetl,  (letcriniiied  to  save  a part  of  it  by  moving  out  by 
the  riglit  llaiik  in  a soutlierly  direction. 

General  Kautz,  seeing  that  every  moment  increased  the  dangers 
environing  his  command,  gave  orders  that  each  regiment  should 
cut  its  way  out,  as  best  it  could,  by  moving  a few  miles  farther 
down  the  railroad,  and  crossing  it  where  the  dense  forest  on  the 
east  side  would  conceal  their  movements.  Dashing  at  headlong 
speed  through  the  woods  and  swamps,  over  ditches  and  fences,  and 
in  some  instances  cutting  their  way  with  the  saber  through  rebel 
troops,  the  greater  part  of  Kautz’s  own  division,  and  a few  belong- 
ing to  other  regiments,  made  their  way  into  the  Union  lines — the 
rebels  following  in  hot  pursuit,  till  they  came  within  the  Federal 
picket  line.  Many  were  doubtless  killed  and  wounded  in  running 
this  terrible  gauntlet.  The  old  camp  was  reached  on  the  evening 
of  the  30th. 

Somewhat  later,  Wilson  came  into  the  Union  lines  with  the  third 
cavalry  division.  Finding  it  impossible  to  cut  through  the  rebel 
lines  at  Reams  Station,  and  no  help  coming  from  Petersburg,  ho 
ordered  his  command  to  retreat  under  cover  of  night  to  Suffolk, 
and  thence  proceeded  by  a circuitous  route  to  the  Federal  lines  at 
Cabin  Point. 

•The  losses  in  the  two  divisions  amounted  to  from  1,000  to  1,500 
■ — mostly  by  capture.  They  also  lost  ten  guns  and  thirteen  hun- 
dred wagons.  Notwithstanding  these  misfortunes,  the  cavalry 
raid  was  an  exceedingly  brilliiut  achievement,  and  inflicted  serious 
damage  upon  the  Confederacy. 



WHITE  HOUSE,  ST.  MAEY’S  CHUECH,  ETC.,  VA. 

June  25,  1864. 

VnioniHtfiy  under  General  Sheridan^  6,000.  I.onh^  500  to  COO. 

l)i8unionitit8y  under  General  Wade  llainyLon  and  others.  Losses^  not  reported. 

On  Saturday,  tlie  25th,  Sheridan’s  cavalry  expedition,  which  wo 
have  before  mentioned  as  having  been  dispatched  to  cut  the  rebel 
communications  between  Charlolteville  and  Gordonsville,  succeeded 
in  crossing  safely  to  the  south  side  of  the  James,  four  or  five  miles 
above  Fort  Powhatan,  where  the  pontoon  bridges  could  be  guard- 
ed by  gun-boats,  and  the  enemy  kept  away  from  bis  rear.  Ilis 
wagon  train  was  several  miles  in  length,  and  the  cavalry  in  addi- 
tion— about  6,000  strong — made  the  march  an  extended  one.  The 


485 


■1 

Kcnesaw  Ilountain,  Ga. 

enemy  was  active  upon  Slieridan’s  rear ; but  with  the  aid  of  the 
gun-boats  tlie  latter  was  soon  safe.  The  cavalry  expedition  was 
less  successful  than  had  been  anticipated.  It  traversed  an  exhausted 
region,  and  the  intense  heat  and  dusty  roads  made  the  route  almost 
unendurable.  Men  and  animals  were  both  wearied  with  the  tedi- 
ous march  and  the  scarcity  of  subsistence. 

A column  of  rebel  cavalry  followed  all  the  way ; but  did  not 
venture  to  seriously  harass  Sheridan’s  troops ; until,  toward  the 
end  of  the  march,  it  C00II7  crossed  the  Mattapouy  and  Pamunkey 
ahead  of  the  Union  leader,  outrode  him,  and  made  an  attack  on  the 
trains  at  White  House.  General  Abercrombie  drove  back  the 
Confederate. cavalry  ; and  soon  after  Sheridan  came  up  and  charged 
on  the  retreating  foe.  After  a little  rest,  he  took  up  his  guns  and 
long  trains  and  set  out  toward  the  James.  The  enemy  again  anti- 
cipating him,  disputed  his  way.  Near  St.  Mary’s  Church  the 
rebels  attacked  the  trains  which  Gregg’s  division  was  protecting. 
For  several  hours  he  succeeded  in  keeping  the  enemy  at  bay,  hur- 
rying his  wagons  along  as  fast  ns  possible,  and  fighting  from  one 
position  to  another.  His  artillery  at  length  got  into  position  ; and 
although  the  foe  charged  it  repeatedly,  they  failed  to  capture  it. 
At  night-fall  the  rebels  desisted  from  the  pursuit,  and  the  whole  ex- 
pedition got  under  cover  of  the  gun-boats  netfr  Wilcox’s  Wharf,  hav- 
ing saved  every  wagon  and  every  gun,  and  lost  only  500  or  600  men. 


KENESA'W  MOUNTAIN,  GA. 

JUNB  27,  1864. 

TTnionifitSi  under  General  Sherman^  about  100,000  {forces  engaged^  ten  brigaded). 
Killed^  wounded^  and  missing^  2,000. 

Disunionists^  under  General  Joe  Johnsioiiy  about  60,000.  Losses^  not  reported. 

While  General  McPherson  was  occupying  the  attention  of  the 
rebels  near  Pallas,  whci  e an  attack  in  force  was  made  tipon  his 
lines,  and  the  enemy  signally  defeated,  the  rest  of  Sherman’s  army' 
were  busy  with  a co-operating  flank  movement  by  which  the  strong 
position  of  their  opponents  at  Allatoona  Pass  was  turned  and  the 
rebel  hordes  compelled  to  a hasty  evacuation.  The  Federal  troops 
were  then  pushed  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible  toward  Acworth, 
the  object  being  to  gain  possession  of  the  railroad  and  to  perfect 
communication  thereby  with  their  b.aso  of  supplies. 

The  enemy  retiring  before  this  advance,  attempted  to  hold  a posi- 
tion on  the  railroad,  their  left  resting  at  Big  Shanty  Station  ; but 


I 


486 


JTenesim  Mountain^  Ga. 


General  ^fePIieraon’s  command  being  brought  up  from  the  vicinity 
of  Dallas,  they  were  forced  to  fall  back,  with  their  left  resting  on 
Lost  Mountain — about  eight  miles  west  by  south  from  Marietta — 
and  their  right  on  Black  Jack  Mountain — about  four  miles  north- 
east of  Marietta.  Their  lines  thus  extended  northeasterly  and 
southwesterly,  along  a range  of  hills,  the  principal  intermediate 
peaks  of  which  were  Kenesaw  Mountain — just  west  of  the  railroad 
— and  Pine  Mountain — half-way  between  Kenesaw  and  Lost  Moun- 
tain. The  position  on  Kenesaw  was  of  the  chief  importance ; since 
it  commanded  the  railroad. 

The  advance  of  the  Federal  army,  by  which  the  rebels  had  been 
forced  into  this  position,  was  conducted  in  the  face  of  the  most 
formidable  difficulties.  The  enemy  seemed  to  have  marked  out  the 
whole  country  from  Allatoona  Mountain  to  the  Chattahoochee 
River  with  line  after  lino  of  rifle-pits,  intrenchments,  and  fortifi- 
cations; so  that  no  sooner  did  the  Unionists  gain  possession  of  one 
formidable  line  than  they  were  confronted  by  another,  each  appa- 
rently stronger  than  the  preceding.  During  this  protracted  strug- 
gle, there  was  no  great  engagement;  but  there  was  constant  skir- 
mishing, often  on  the  most  extended  scale,  and  of  a kind  which  wastes 
the  energies  of  an  army  not  less  than  a terrible  battle.  At  length 
the  rebels  were  compiled  by  the  movements  of  General  Hooker’s 
troops  to  abandon  Pine  Mountain ; and  soon  after,  finding  the  posi- 
tion on  Lost  Mountain  in  danger  of  being  enveloped,  they  wisely 
drew  in  their  left  flank  and  concentrated  on  Kenesaw  Mountain. 
The  latter  movement  was  executed  during  the  night  of  May  18th, 
in  the  midst  of  storm  and  darkness  ; and  the  new  position  was  oc- 
cupied with  the  apex  resting  on  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  the  flanks 
drawn  back — the  right,  behind  Noonday  Creek,  and  the  left,  be- 
hind Nose’s  Creek,  which  runs  across  the  Marietta  and  Dallas  road 
at  the  former  place. 

During  the  skirmishing  which  transpired  in  forcing  the  enemy 
from  the  hills  west  of  Kenesaw,  the  rebel  General  Polk  was  slain — 
one  of  the  most  polished,  eloquent,  and  widely  influential  officers 
in  the  Southern  Confederacy,  formerly  distinguished  as  a bishop  of 
the  Episcopal  Church. 

After  the  changes  in  the  rebel  position,  above  described,  the 
Unionists  continued  to  push  on  ; and  forced  their  way,  on  the 
right,  across  and  two  miles  beyond  Nose’sCreek,  on  the  Dalton  and 
^ifarietta  road.  At  the  same  time,  the  center  worked  up  the  base 
of  Kenesaw  Mountain ; and  carried  some  knobs  west  of  the  moun- 


487 


IZenesaw  JKountam^  Ga. 

tain,  thus  securing  a position  for  an  annoying  enfilading  fire.  In 
the  situation  then  existing  it  was  no  longer  possible  for  the  wings 
of  the  Federal  army  to  make  a farther  advance,  without  cutting 
themselves  loose  from  the  center,  whose  progress  was  stayed  by 
the  formidable  defenses  of  Kenesaw.  Pressing  on  as  close  as 
they  could,  therefore,  to  the  rebel  lines,  they  were  forced  to  content 
themselves  with  simply  maintaining  their  position ; while  the  center 
was  employed  in  unmasking  the  enemy’s  batteries  on  the  mountain, 
and  preparing  for  the  assault  to  which  the  position  of  the  foe 
invited. 

On  the  27th,  orders  for  the  desperate  undertaking  were  issued. 
The  troops  were  to  advance  in  three  columns  against  the  enemy’s 
fortifications  on  Little  Kenesaw — a jieak  of  the  mountain  situated 
to  the  west  of  the  principal  peak,  known  as  llig  Kenesaw,  and 
enfiladed  by  batteries  and  riile-pits  on  the  latter.  At  the  same 
time  threatening  demonstrations  were  to  be  made  in  other  quarters. 

The  assaulting  brigades,  four  lines  deep,  advanced  gallantly.  The 
enemy’s  skirmishers  were  captured  almost  to  a man  by  the  rapid 
onset,  some  of  them  fighting  till  they  fell,  refusing  to  surrender. 
Tlie  progress  of  the  columns,  liowever,  was  considerably  delayed 
by  the  swampy  nature  of  the  ground,  and  the  tangled  net-work  of 
briers  through  which  portions  of  it  were  comi)elled  to  grope  their 
way.  Upon  reaching  the  base  of  the  Knob,  the  lines  were  hastily 
re-formed,  the  rebels  in  the  mean  time  opening  in  front  with  mus- 
ketry and  artillery  and  an  enfilading  fire  from  Big  Kenesaw.  The 
brigade  of  Lightburn,  lidding  the  right,  and  Wolcott’s  supporting 
brigade  found  it  impossible  to  gain  the  crest;  and,  after  a giant 
effort  as  heroic  as  it  was  hopeless,  fell  back  to  a point  occupied  by 
the  enemy’s  skirmishers  in  the  morning.  Giles  Smith,  command- 
ing the  left  and  center,  attacked  the  hill,  facing  a volley  of  shot  and 
shell ; and,  on  reaching  the  crest,  discovered  the  enemy  posted  in  a 
second  lino  of  formidable  works  from  which  issued  a murderous  fire. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  hold  the  summit,  they  fell  slowly  back, 
keeping  their  pursuers  at  bay.  Some  fifty  or  sixty  of  this  brigade 
Bouglit  refuge  behind  a ledge  of  rocks,  within  point-blank  range  of 
the  enemy’s  works,  and  were  obliged  to  remain  there  till  night-fall. 

The  a.ssault  was  over  at  eleven  o’clock  a.m.  But  the  Union  troops, 
though  repulsed,  gained  a position  several  hundred  yards  in  advance 
of  the  morning,  thus  bringing  them  much  nearer  the  enemy  than 
before,  and  placing  them  in  a situation  to  push  the  foe  from  his 
intreuchmonts  when  a favorable  time  should  arrive.  The  Union 


488 


J^enesaw  Mountain^  Ga, 


loss  in  tlio  assault  did  not  exceed  400.  Somewhat  later  in  the  day, 
another  assault  was  made  by  three  brigades  of  Newton’s  division, 
assisted  by  General  Jeli'.  C.  Davis’  division.  The  point  chosen  for 
attack  was  a mile  and  a half  southeast  of  that  where  tlie  former 
one  was  made,  the  opposing  works  being  in  plain  view.  For  an 
interval,  skirmishing  extended  along  the  main  line  of  works.  At 
eight  o’clock,  tlie  Union  batteries  opened  a heavy  fire;  and  Davis’ 
division,  supported  by  two  other  divisions,  moved  forward,  leaving 
klorgan’s  brigade  in  immediate  reserve.  Colonel  McCook’s  brigade 
held  the  left,  Colonel  Mitchell’s  the  right.  Skirmishers  advanced 
rapidly  ; until  they  encountered  a very  difficult  abattis,  through 
which  they  proceeded  with  some  delay,  capturing  the  slight  trenches 
of  the  enemy’s  skirmish  lines  with  little  loss.  The  brigades  on  the 
right  and  left  moved  quickly  toward  the  rebels’  main  line,  never 
faltering  under  a most  destructive  fire  of  musketry  and  grape. 
Portions  of  these  gallant  brigades  reached  the  ditch  and  attempted 
to  scale  the  parapet.  McCook  fell,  urging  forward  his  men  to  the 
fearful  contest.  Mitchell’s  assault  was  determined  and  courageous ; 
but  the  superhuman  efforts  of  his  men  proved  fruitless.  Davis  see- 
ing that  they  fought  against  hopeless  odds  and  were  exposed  to  a 
scathing  enfilading  fire,  retired  his  command,  leaving  among  the 
slain,  representatives  of  every  regiment  in  the  two  brave  brigades. 

The  assault  by  Newton’s  division  was  simultaneous  with  that  of 
Davis’.  Marker’s  brigade  was  on  the  right;  Wagner,  on  the  cen- 
ter; Kimball,  retired  in  reserve  on  the  left.  At  half-past  eight,  the 
columns  advanced  on  the  double-cjuick,  receiving  immediately  the 
same  deadly  fire  which  had  been  encountered  at  other  points  of  the 
line.  The  rebels  opened  with  enfilading  batteries,  tearing  gaps  in 
the  ranks,  but  not  impeding  the  onset.  Wagner’s  struggles  were 
gallant  thougli  fearful.  Marker  fell  in  the  height  of  the  furious 
charge,  fighting  desperately. 

The  sanguinary  contest  ended  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  Union 
troops ; though  not  till  long  after  the  conflict  was  visibly  decided. 
Wherever  the  rebels  ])uisued  the  assaulting  columns,  while  re- 
tiring, they  were  promptly  repulsed  by  the  supports,  which  other- 
wise were  not  engaged.  During  these  engagements,  the  division 
on  the  right  of  the  fourteenth  corps  captured  an  important  ridge 
in  their  front,  without  great  opposition.  A heavy  force  of  infantry 
was  also  moved  to  a point  nine  miles  southeast  of  Marietta,  with- 
out encountering  a contending  force.  The  result  of  the  assaults,  in 
which  not  more  than  ten  brigades  directly  participated,  was  an 


i 


I 


Monocacy  Junctioii^  Md.  439 

advance  of  the  Union  line  at  every  point  assailed  except  one,  with 
a total  loss  of  2,000  men. 

General  Sherman  commenced  a flank  movement  on  the  right  im- 
mediately after  the  unsuccessful  assault  of  the  27th  inst.,  which 
resulted  in  the  evacuation  of  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Marietta,  also 
in  their  early  occuj)ation  by  the  Union  forces. 


MONOCACY  JUNCTION,  MD. 

Jolt  9,  1864. 

U^tiionistSy  under  General  Wallace^  8,000.  Total  los.%  1,200. 

Disxtnioni^iSy  under  General  Jxibal  Earli/y  19,000.  Losses^  not  reported. 

About  eleven  o’clock  Friday  night,  the  Union  troops  evacuated 
Frederick  City  and  retired  to  Monocacy,  where  General  AV .allace  put 
himself  in  position  to  defend  the  railroad  bridge.  All  was  quiet 
during  the  night,  the  enemy  cautiously  occupying  the  city»at  day- 
break. About  sunrise,  the  rebels  moved  out  against  AY  allace,  and 
drove  in  his  skirmishers.  At  nine  o’clock  the  battle  opened  in 
earnest,  the  enemy  moving  his  guns  down  to  Monocacy  Kiver,  and 
exchanging  shots  with  the  Union  batteries  posted  on  the  opposite 
side,  and  protecting  the  railroad  and  the  B.altimoio  turiij)iko. 
Kicketts’  veteran  division  was  dojdoycd  to  the  left,  and  here  the 
attack  spent  its  force. 

After  considerable  artillery  firing,  the  rebels  brmight  up  their  in- 
fantry. Deploying  their  men  into  two  or  three  lines,  the  enemy 
forced  the  passage  of  the  stream,  fording  it  at  all  points.  On  the 
left  the  battle  was  fought  with  varying  success  for  some  hours.  At 
length,  however,  Kicketts’  division  of  the  sixth  corps  gave  w.ay 
under  the  pressure  on  its  front.  At  the  same  time,  the  enemy  had 
completely  flanked  the  right,  and,  a[)pcaring  in  the  rear,  j)ourod  in 
a reverse  fire,  .and  swept  off  .about  COO  men  and  officers,  including 
Brigadier-General  Tyler.  The  latter  afterward  made  his  escape. 

Thus  out-flanked.  General  AA’’ .allace  was  compelled  to  fall  back, 
the  enemy  pursuing  him  sever.al  miles.  The  Union  loss  was 
severe,  it  being  reported  at  1,200  men,  including  a largo  proportion 
of  officers. 


490  Siloer  Spring^  D.  C. — Island  Ford^  etc.^  Va. 


SILVER  SPRING,  D.  C. 

July  12,  1864. 

Vnionitiis,  under  General  Augur,  one  'brigade.  Killed,  wounded,  and  miga. 

ing,  2(10. 

DigunionUtg,  under  General  F.arly,  10,000.  Zoaaes,  100  Hlled ; many  wounded. 

The  defeat  of  General  Wallace  at  Monocacy,  and  the  inference 
drawn  from  it  as  to  the  size  of  the  enemy’s  force,  threw  llaltimore 
and  Washington  into  a fever  of  excitement.  On  Sunday  the  10th, 
at  six  o’clock  in  the  morning,  the  alarm  hells  at  W.ashington  were 
rung,  and  the  citizens  mustered  for  the  defiuiso  of  the  city.  From 
that  time  till  the  positive  retirement  of  the  enemy  was  known,  the 
two  cities  were  alive  with  excitement,  and  making  extensive  prep- 
arations to  repel  tlie  invaders. 

On  Wonday  evening,  the  enemy  lay  on  the  west  of  the  Seventn 
Street  road,  six  or  eight  miles  from  Washington.  On  Tuesday 
morning,  they  moved  nearer,  extending  their  line  to  the  east  of  the 
road,  amiadvaneed  tlieir  skirmishers  toward  Fort  Stevens,  formerly 
c.alled  Fort  ^Massachusetts.  Tow.ard  evening,  tlie  rebel  sharp-shoot- 
ers became  so  annoying,  and  the  fact  of  their  presence  at  the 
national  capital  so  humiliating,  that  an  attempt  was  made  hy  Gen- 
eral Augur  to  dislodge  them.  A brigade  of  veteran  infantry  was 
dispatched  along  the  Seventh  Street  road,  which  attacked  and  com- 
pletely routed  the  enemy,  who  left  100  of  their  dead  and  wounded 
on  the  field  near  Silver  Spring.  The  Union  loss  was  reported  at 
200.  The  following  day,  there  wrnre  no  rebels  to  be  seen  in  the 
vicinity.  The  force  near  Bladensburg  moved  off  the  same  morning, 
and  proceeded  toward  Poolesville  and  Edward's  Ferry.  Washing- 
ton was  then  perfectly  safe,  with  the  presence  of  reinforcements 
from  Petersburg  and  New  Orleans. 




ISLAND  FORD  AND  ASHBY’S  GAP,  VA, 

July  18  and  19,  1864. 

TTnio7iisi!iy  nnder  Generals  Wright  and  Crook,  Total  loss^  500. 

Disunionists^  under  General  Earhj,,  nearly  20,000.  Losses^  not  reported. 

Toe  pursuit  of  the  Maryland  raiders  was  commenced  cautiously 
on  the  13th  of  July  by  the  movement  of  a heavy  column  from 
Washington  under  General  Wright.  lie  marched  first  to  Poole.s- 
ville,  then  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Edward’s  Ferry,  and  pushed 
forward  to  Leesburg.  Meanwhile  General  Crook,  who  had  assumed 


'Winchester^  Fa. 


491 


command  of  Sullivan’s  troops  in  addition  to  Lis  own,  sent  Duffie’s 
cavalry  to  Purcellsville,  near  Leesburg.  The  latter  came  upon  the 
rebel  trains,  and  easily  captured  a part  of  one  them,  on  the  17th, 
with  some  teamsters  and  the  guard.  The  enemy  had  set  fire  to  the 
train  and  partially  destroyed  it.  Crook  coming  up  soon  after,  the 
rebels  were  driven  through  the  gap,  after  a short  but  severe  strug- 
gle ; they  held  the  ferry  across  the  Shenandoah,  however,  on  the 
other  side,  and  completely  checked  the  pursuers. 

The  next  day,  Monday  the  18th,  the  forces  were  all  brought 
through  the  gap,  except  DufBe’s  cavalry,  which  went  farther  north 
to  Ashby’s  Gap,  to  guard,  it  and  prevent  a flank  movement  upon 
the  Union  right.  The  infantry  crossed  soon  after  noon  at  Island 
Ford,  Colonel  liY ells’  brigade  leading,  and  driving  the  enemy.  All 
of  Crook’s  command  soon  crossed ; and  forming  in  lino  engaged 
the  foe. 

General  Mright  now  began  crossing  the  sixth  corps  with  the  in- 
tention of  massing  on  the  right  to  meet  the  enemy’s  concentration 
in  the  same  direction.  They  were  already  charging  the  Union  line, 
however,  with  great  violence,  in  face  of  a heavy  fire  from  the  bat- 
teries ; and  at  length  turned  the  right,  and  drove  it  in  some  confu- 
sion across  the  ford.  Colonel  Mells,  finding  the  right  giving  way, 
withdrew  in  good  order.  The  troojis  were  all  rccrossed  again,  and 
thus  the  day’s  work  ended  in  misfortune.  Meanwhile  Duflie,  at 
Ashby’s  Gap,  had  a similar  experience,  driving  the  enemy,  under 
Imboden,  through  the  gap  and  across  the  river ; but  being  in 
turn  forced  to  retreat  by  the  enemy,  who,  as  at  Island  Ford,  had 
hurried  back  in  force,  on  finding  their  rear  attacked.  The  Federal 
loss  at  the  latter  point  was  about  300.  At  Ashby’s  Gap  the  loss 
was  reported  at  about  200. 


WINCHESTER,  VA. 

JcLT  20,  1864. 

VnionUU^  under  General  Atei'ill.  Total  250. 
jyisunionisUj  under  General  Early^  5,000.  Total  loss^  800. 

On  "Wednesday,  July  20th,  General  Averill  met  the  enemy  under 
Early,  in  front  of  Winchester.  The  rebel  general  sallied  out  of  Iho 
old  intronchments  still  there,  and  a s[)irited  battle  of  three  hours’ 
duration  ensued.  The  enemy  retired  again  to  their  intrenchments, 
leaving  the  Unionists  masters  of  the  field.  Averill  captured  four 


492 


Peach  'Pi'ee  CreeJc,  Oa. 


cannon,  several  linnclred  small-arms,  and  about  200  prisoners.  The 
entire  rebel  loss  was  about  300 ; the  Federal  loss,  250. 

Tlio  engaj^ement  was  a decided  success  for  the  Unionists ; but 
the  enemy  showed  himself  too  strong  for  them,  and  a halt  was  made 
outside  of  Winchester.  The  force  opposed  to  Averill  was  about 

5.000  and  Breckinridge  was  BUjiposed  to  be  at  Millwood  with 

10.000  more. 


PEACH  TREE  CREEK,  GA. 

(riUST  BATTLE  BlirORE  ATLANTA.) 

July  20,  18G-1. 

under  General  Sherman^  about  100,000  {njimbers  engaged^  about  one 
third  of  this  force)^  Killed^  woundetf^  and  missbig^  1,71S. 

DisunionistHy  under  General  Uoody  60,000.  Killed  and  6,000  ; jpWson- 

</’5,  1,000. 

After  the  occupation  of  Marietta,  on  the  80th  of  Juno,  General 
Rhcrman’s  army,  yu’essing  forward  and  driving  the  enemy  from  suc- 
cessive positions,  succeeded  in  cros.sing  the  Chattahoochee  liiver  on 
the  night  of  July  17th.  The  following  day  was  spent  in  getting 
into  line;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  the  advance  reached 
Beach  Tree  Creek,  a stream  running  four  miles  north  of  Atlanta. 
After  considerable  skirmishing,  the  rebels  were  dislodged  from 
their  position  along  the  south  bank  of  the  stream,  and  a j>ortion 
of  Howard’s  corps  crossed,  the  Union  left  meantime  swinging 
around  to  the  Atlanta  and  Augusta  Railroad  near  Decatur,  and 
tearing  up  several  miles  of  track.  On  the  evening  of  the  19th  and 
morning  of  the  20th,  Generals  Howard,  Hooker,  and  Palmer  cro.saed 
with  the  rest  of  the  troops,  the  corps  forming  in  lino  along  the  south 
bank  of  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

At  three  i\m.,  the  enemy  made  a desperate  and  sudden  assault 
on  General  Howard.  Kimball’s  brig.ado,  on  the  right  of  Newton’s 
division,  for  a moment  seemed  to  falter ; but  fresh  troops  hurried 
forward  to  its  support,  and  the  entire  division  stood  as  firm  as  a 
rock.  The  storm  which  burst  upon  Newton’s  division  so  furiously 
swept  over  toward  the  left  of  Hooker’s  corps.  General  Ward  held 
the  left  of  the  corps,  Geary  the  center,  and  Williams  the  right.  Al- 
most the  whole  of  the  corps  was  struck  simultaneously,  although 
as  the  wave  of  battle  rolled  from  left  to  right.  Ward’s  division  was 
engaged  a minute  or  two  sooner  than  the  others.  He  had  just 
halted  his  men  at  the  foot  of  a hill,  for  a brief  rest,  after  his  skir- 
mishers had  gained  the  summit.  Learning  that  the  rebels  were 


Peach  Tree  CreeJc^  Ga.  493 

charging  over  the  open  field  in  his  front,  liq  instantly  ordered  bis 
command  to  meet  the  foe  with  a counter-charge.  They  advanced 
gallantly,  and  on  reaching  the  crest  were  so  close  to  the  rebels  that 
several  of  the  hostile  regiments  became  intermingled.  At  such 
points  the  rebels  seemed  bewildered,  and  were  easily  captured.  At 
other  points,  fighting  at  close  quarters  continued  for  an  hour ; hut 
each  successive  line  of  the  enemy  was  pressed  back  by  the  irresist- 
ible valor  of  the  Unionists.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  the  foe 
retired  into  a dense  forest  in  their  rear. 

General  Ward’s  trophies  were  seven  rebel  battle-fiags  and  300 
prisoners,  including  many  of  the  wounded  left  on  the  field.  All  the 
available  artillery  of  this  division  had  been  sent  to  protect  Newton’s 
flank,  and  this  splendid  triumph  was  achieved  with  musketry  alone. 

The  charge  swept  along  to  the  right,  striking  Geary’s  division 
immediately  after  Ward’s.  Geary  had  advanced  half  a mile  from 
the  trenches  occupied  in  the  morning,  and  had  just  marched  his 
troops  to  the  top  of  a ridge,  when  the  rebel  columns  were  hurled 
upon  him  with  terrible  violence.  The  Thirty-third  New  Jersey, 
which  was  thrown  out  to  fortify  a hill  in  advance  of  the  main  line, 
lost  over  half  its  number  in  the  first  few  minutes  of  the  assault. 
The  most  of  Geary’s  lines  were  through  a dense  wood,  and  the 
right  flank  was  exposed  by  an  interval  of  two  or  three  hundred 
yards,  which  Williams’  division  was  endeavoring  to  close.  When  the 
enemy  came  on,  the  right  brigade  was  speedily  enveloped  on  the  right 
and  rear,  and  fell  back  after  a severe  struggle.  Portions  of  a bri- 
gade in  the  center  were  thus  enfiladed  and  driven  back.  General 
Geary,  however,  succeeded  in  re-forming  his  shattered  line  where 
it  stood ; and  it  gallantly  rolled  back  charge  after  charge,  never 
yielding  another  inch  of  ground. 

For  several  hours,  the  rebels  endeavored  to  force  their  way 
through  the  gap  they  had  opened ; but  the  valor  of  the  Unionists 
triumphed.  Geary  held  the  hill  at  the  close,  as  at  the  beginning 
of  the  attack.  The  tremendous  assault  of  the  enemy  spent  its  fury 
on  General  Williams’  division,  next  on  Geary’s  right.  The  shock 
was  met  unflinchingly  ; the  troops  refused  to  yield  an  inch  ; and, 
though  three  several  charges  were  made  upon  it  before  night-fall,  it 
repulsed  them,  without  wavering;  though  sustaining  very  heavy 
losses.  About  nine  p.m.,  the  rebels  abandoned  the  fight,  carrying 
olf  their  dead  and  wounded,  and  retiring  to  their  heavy  works,  a 
mile  distant.  In  front  of  W’ard  and  Newton,  their  dead  and 
severely  wounded  were  left  upon  the  field.  The  rebel  loss  was 

25 


494 


Peach  Tree  Creeh^  Ga. 


estimated  at  6,000  killed  and  wounded,  and  1,000  prisoners.  The 
total  Union  loss  was  1,713.  Prisoners  were  captured  from  every 
corps  in  Hood’s  army,  and  it  is  believed  that  nearly  his  entire  force 
was  engaged. 


PEACH  TREE  CREEK,  GA. 

(BUGOMD  battle  before  ATLANTA.) 

July  22, 

Unioniats^under  OeneraU  Sharman  and  McPherson^  ft 00,000  {fovea  engaged^ 
three  corps).  Killed^  wounded^  and  prisoners,  8,722. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Ilood^  45,000.  Killed,  about  8,840 ; estimated,  wounds 
td,  8,000  ; prisoners,  8,200. 

On  the  night  of  July  21st,  the  enemy’s  line  on  Peach  Tree  Creek 
was  drawn  in  and  shortened,  their  forces  being  massed  for  an  as- 
sault on  the  left  wing  of  Sherman’s  army — the  right  having  stub- 
bornly defied  their  assaults  on  the  j)reviou3  day.  The  full  signifi- 
cance of  the  movement  was  not  at  first  apparent.  But  it  was  soon 
obvious  that  General  Hood,  Laving  determined  to  renew  the  attack, 
was  seeking,  by  the  withdrawal  of  his  troops,  to  lead  on  the  Union- 
ists, that  he  might  again  assail  their  lines  before  they  had  oppor- 
tunity to  re-form  in  their  new  position  nearer  Atlanta. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  a small  body  of  rebel  cavalry 
was  discovered  reconnoitering  on  the  extreme  left,  where  was  sta- 
tioned General  Blair’s  corps,  which  with  two  other  corps  formed 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  then  under  command  of  General  Mc- 
Pherson. It  was  soon  evident  that  the  enemy  were  cautiously  ad- 
vancing to  feel  the  Union  lines,  at  that  time  in  an  unfavorable 
position  to  meet  an  attack,  since  their  commander  was  occupied  in 
getting  his  army  into  position,  the  sixteenth  corps  being  on  the 
march  to  extend  the  left  flank.  But  the  progress  of  the  foe  was 
delayed  sufficiently  to  give  the  sixteenth  an  opportunity  to  form  in 
season  to  assist  the  seventeenth  corps ; though  it  was  impracticable 
to  dis[)O30  the  linos  in  the  most  favorable  manner  for  defense. 

As  soon  as  the  rebels  were  discovered  advancing,  a brigade,  act- 
ing as  a reserve  for  Blair’s  corps,  was  pushed  forward  to  extend  his 
lines  and  check  the  enemy.  About  eleven  o’clock  the  rebels  ap- 
proached in  force,  debouching  from  the  woods  into  an  open  field, 
where  the  seventeenth  corps  lay  in  position  behind  such  works  as 
they  had  hastily  constructed  along  a ridge.  The  men  received  the 
onset  unwaveringly,  delivering  their  first  fire  with  the  utmost 


Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.  495 

rapidity;  but  the  overpowering  numbers  of  the  enemy  bore  down 
all  resistance;  and,  breaking  over  the  works,  they  pressed  the 
troops  back  ; aud  hopeless  ruin  seemed  imminent  despite  their  ob- 
stinate valor.  The  prospect  was  gloomy  in  the  extreme,  and  dis- 
may was  pictured  on  every  countenance  save  the  faces  of  the  brave 
men  who  contended  in  the  ranks  for  the  very  existence  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  If  the  force  actively  engaged  was  scat- 
tered and  broken,  little  hope  remained  for  the  rest  of  the  gallant 
command. 

In  the  rear,  a long  train  of  supply-wagons  and  ambulances  was 
greatly  endangered,  and  came  streaming  back  behind  the  fifteenth 
corps,  crowding  through  the  narrow  roads  in  the  woods  in  dire 
confusion  and  amazement.  It  was  an  evil  hour  for  the  seventeenth  ; 
and  the  men  were  rapidly  approaching  the  limit  of  endurance, 
when  succor  arrived.  A division  and  a brigade,  coming  up  at  the 
critical  juncture,  stayed  the  tide  of  the  rebel  onset.  The  brigade 
bad  arrived  a few  minutes  before  the  attack  commenced,  and  con- 
structed slight  fortifications,  in  the  rear  of  the  sixteenth ; but  as  soon 
as  the  latter  began  to  be  pushed  back,  they  boldly  leaped  over  their 
works,  and  together  with  the  approaching  division  rushed  madly 
into  the  open  field  and  mot  the  enemy  face  to  face.  They  held 
their  ground  firmly  ; and,  when  the  rebels  at  last  fell  back,  carried 
off  their  wounded  behind  their  breast-works.  The  seventeenth, 
thus  timely  reinforced,  hastily  threw  up  a slight  work  in  rear  of  the 
old  one,  and  held  it  throughout  the  conflict. 

The  fearful  and  confused  nature  of  the  engagement  may  be  con- 
ceived from  the  fact  that  an  Iowa  brigade  fought  repeatedly,  during 
the  two  dreadful  hours  of  the  battle,  on  both  sides  of  the  works. 
This  almost  incredible  statement  was  confirmed  by  finding  the 
rebel  corpses  lying  plentifully  on  both  sides  of  the  breast-works 
mingled  with  the  dead  of  their  antagonists. 

About  noon  General  ^Icl’iiorson  passed  along  the  front  Just  on 
the  left  of  the  seventeenth  corps,  and  made  some  inquiries  as  to 
the  progress  of  the  sixteenth  corps.  Not  obtaining  satisfactory 
information,  he  rode  forward  to  ascertain  for  himself,  accompanied 
by  only  two  of  his  staff  and  a portion  of  his  escort.  A fatal  im- 
pulse carried  him  into  a gap  between  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth, 
of  which  he  and  his  staff  were  totally  ignorant.  Advancing  to  the 
top  of  a ridge,  his  staff  somewhat  in  the  rear,  he  was  suddenly 
confronted  by  a party  of  rebels,  who,  springing  from  ambush,  deliv- 
ered a volley  at  him.  The  General  fell  mortally  wounded,  and 


I 


496 


Peach  Tree  CreeJc,  Ga. 


survived  only  a few  minntes.  A party  was  soon  formed,  wdiicli 
charged  upon  the  foe  and  rescued  the  body  of  their  glorious  leader. 
It  was  a sad  hour  for  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  deeply  sad 
to  tlie  commanding  general  who  had  leaned  upon  the  fallen  chief 
as  the  right  arm  of  his  strength. 

After  the  violence  of  the  shock  upon  the  seventeenth  had  passed 
by,  and  a degree  of  quiet  was  restored,  the  enemy  massed  a second 
time  for  an  assault  upon  the  left,  directing  it  against  the  center  of 
the  fifteenth  corps,  and  eventually  on  the  left  of  the  twenty-third. 
About  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  a rebel  corps  advanced  upon 
the  railroad^ith  great  rapidity,  and  charged  upon  the  Unionists 
with  wild  impetuosity.  Where  the  line  crossed  the  railroad  there 
was  a deep  cut,  which  was  left  open  and  uncovered  by  any  cross 
fire.  Two  of  the  enemy’s  regiments  dashed  up  this  gorge,  below 
the  range  of  musketry ; and,  passing  to  the  rear,  separated — one 
regiment  scaling  the  left  bank,  the  other  the  right.  They  then 
poured  a destructive  fire  on  the  flanks  of  the  regiments  next  the 
road,  which  threw  them  into  confusion,  and  caused  them  to  fall 
back.  Additional  rebel  troops  speedily  rushed  over  the  breast- 
works thus  cleared ; and,  forming  a solid  column,  charged  along 
inside  of  the  works,  literally  rooting  the  Union  men  from  their 
trenches.  The  division  in  the  center  of  the  corps  had  been  weak- 
ened by  sending  a brigade  to  the  assistance  of  the  left,  and  was 
consequently  wholly  dislodged  from  its  position.  Ketiring  a short 
distance,  however,  it  halted,  re-formed,  and  began  to  deliver  volleys 
upon  the  rebels,  who  ruslied  forward,  apparently  regardless  of  their 
fate.  Hut  a heavy  artillery  fire  was  soon  opened  upon  them,  which 
scattered  their  numbers  in  dire  confusion.  Other  batteries  were 
then  hurried  forward,  which  directed  a deadly  fire  of  shell  upon 
the  rebel  line. 

The  fifteenth  corps  now  recovered  its  ground,  and  crossed  mus- 
kets with  the  enemy  over  their  works ; and  for  a time  the  contest 
was  most  exciting.  General  Woods,  of  this  corps,  took  a division 
and  advanced  into  and  across  the  field  in  grand  style,  leading  his 
command  in  person.  The  two  lines  confronted  each  other;  and 
for  a few  moments  flaunted  their  respective  standards  in  each  other’s 
faces.  Woods  finally  gave  the  order  to  charge;  and,  under  the 
combined  fire  of  artillery  and  of  Woods’  infantry,  the  enemy  stole 
away  and  gave  up  their  desperate  undertaking.  The  day  was 
again  saved — the  enemy  repulsed  a second  time,  with  fearful 
slaughter. 


Maco7i  a)id  Western  Hailroad,  Ga.  497 

The  battle  of  the  22d  was  even  more  hotly  contested  than  that 
of  the  20th,  and  the  casualties  on  both  sides  correspondingly 
greater.  Tlie  rebel  loss  was  about  3,240  killed,  of  whom  2,142  were 
buried  by  the  Unionists — and  about  8,000  estimated  to  be  wound- 
ed, besides  3,200  prisoners,  making  the  total  loss  not  far  from  15,000. 
The  Unionists  lost  3,722,  about  1,200  of  the  number  being  taken 
prisoners.  But  the  direst  calamity  befalling  the  Federal  army  was 
the  death  of  General  McPherson.  He  fell  almost  at  the  hour  when 
the  grand  object  of  the  campaign  was  about  to  be  realized ; one  of 
the  noblest  and  best — certainly  the  best  beloved — of  all  the  gene- 
rals who  had  led  the  army  forward  in  the  path  of  victory. 


MACON  AND  WESTERN  RAILROAD,  GA. 

(mcCook’s  raid.) 

July  26,  1864. 

UnionUU^  under  General  McCook^  3,200.  Killed  and  wounded^  few — numhera 
not  elated ; prisoners^  500. 

JHaunionieU^  under  General  Itanaoniy  6,000.  Lossee^  not  reported. 

July  2Gth,  General  Stonernaii  sent  a force  of  cavalry,  consisting 
of  two  brigades  under  command  of  General  McCook,  to  destroy 
the  ilacou  and  'Western  Railroad.  They  succeeded  in  completely 
demolishing  eighteen  miles  of  the  railroad  track,  and  ca[)tiued  a 
ponderous  rebel  wagon  train  with  about  500  men,  including  127 
officers.  The  wagons  were  laden  with  valuable  stores,  which  the 
Unionists  removed,  and  afterward  burned  the  train. 

General  McCook  then  started  to  return  with  his  captures,  but 
was  overtaken  by  the  enemy  under  General  Ransom.  This  force 
was  so  large  as  to  completely  surround  the  Federal  troops.  A 
desperate  engagement  ensued,  in  which  many  of  the  Unionists 
escaped,  afterward  finding  their  way  to  Marietta ; but  full  800  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  foe.  All  prisoners  previously  captured  by 
the  Union  general  were  abandoned.  The  Federal  loss  in  killed 
and  wounded  was  very  slight. 


498 


Atlanta  'Vicinity^  Ga. 


ATLANTA  VICINITY,  GA. 

(TnilU>  IJATI  LK  11  BFORi:  ATLANTA.) 

July  28,  1864. 

VnioniatHy  under  Generals  Sherman  and  Logan^  about  100,000  {Jorct  engaged^ 
three  corps').  Killed^  60  ; wounded^  439  ; missing^  50 
DisunionistHy  under  General  lloody  about  80,000.  Killedy  wounded^  and  ’mi&singy 
not  less  than  5,000. 

July  2Gth,  tlie  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  nnder  General  Logan, 
held  the  extreme  left  of  the  Federal  lines  commanded  by  General 
Sherman  ; hut  orders  were  issued  at  night  for  the  three  corps  com- 
posing this  array  to  be  shifted  to  the  right — a difficult  military 
operation.  This  change  was  not  completed  till  the  night  of  the 
27th ; when  the  troops  were  placed  in  position,  and  a portion  of 
them  actively  engaged,  during  the  hours  of  darkness,  in  throwing 
up  temporary  hreast-works.  Considerable  skirmishing  was  carried 
on  at  this  period,  and  continued  in  a desultory  manner  till  nine 
o’clock  of  the  following  morning;  when  the  musketry  lire  along 
the  lines  of  the  fifteenth  corps  rapidly  increased  ; and  an  hour  later, 
a general  engagement  was  in  progress.  General  Morgan  Smith  with 
a strong  rebel  force  having  attacked  the  second  division. 

At  eleven  o’clock  precisely,  the  rebels,  who  had  been  shelling  the 
Union  lines  quite  vigorously,  fired  two  heavy  guns ; and,  ere  their 
report  died  away  among  the  fortified  hills  which  frowned  fiercely 
on  all  sides,  the  air  was  rent  by  one  of  those  fiendish  yells  which 
invariably  preceded  a rebel  charge.  "VVith  rash  impetuosity,  the 
enemy  swept  on,  charging  exultantly  up  to  the  crest  of  a small  hill 
on  which  two  Ohio  regiments  were  posted.  Knowing  that  this 
position  was  an  excellent  one  to  fortify,  they  had  determined  to 
drive  thence  the  small  advance  force  which  held  it.  The  two  regi- 
ments, finding  a vastly  superior  army  approaching  to  overpower 
them,  withheld  their  fire  until  the  confident  foe  were  within  sixty 
yards ; when  they  opened  upon  them  vigorously,  and  held  in  check 
the  first  line.  It  was  then  discovered  that  an  infantry  column  was 
cautiously  emerging  from  a dense  wood,  and  getting  completely  in 
the  rear  of  the  Union  troops.  This  movement  was  scarcely  re- 
vealed, when  a large  force  of  Wheeler’s  rebel  cavalry  suddenly 
appeared,  charging  at  full  speed  on  the  right;  while  a rebel  brigade 
of  infantry  n]oved  up  in  front  of  General  Morgan  Smith’s  division, 
at  a rapid  rate. 

To  remain  in  so  critical  a position  another  moment  was  to  insure 
either  the  total  annihilation  or  capture  of  these  two  superior  regi- 


JOHN  ALEXANDER  LOGAN, 

Major-Gcn.  U.  S.  A".,  boi-ii  near  Alurpliysboro’,  Jackson  Co.,  Ilk,  Feb.!), 
1826  ; Lieut,  and  Adjutant  in  1st  llcg't  111.  Vols.  in  Mexican  AVar.  In 
1848,  returned  to  Illinois ; Clerk  of  Jackson  Co.,  1848-50  ; studied  law  and 
admitted  to  the  bar,  1851 ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  3d  Judicial  Dist.,  1852  ; 
member  State  Legislature,  1853  ; Presidential  Elector,  1856  ; At.  0.,  1858-61  ; 
volunteered  as  private  at  Bull  Ilun ; Col.  31st  111.  A'ols.,  Sept.  18,  ’61 ; in  bat- 
tle Belmont,  Nov.  T,  ’61 ; pursued  Kebcls  after  capture  of  Fort  Henry ; 
fought  and  wounded  throe  times  at  Donclson,  Feb.  14,  ’62  ; Brig.-Gen.  Vols., 
March  5,  ’62 ; was  in  the  siege  of  Corinth ; commanded  railroad  guard  be- 
tween Jackson  and  Corinth  ; Major-Gcn.  A^ols.,  Nov.  29,  ’62.  In  Vicksburg 
campaign,  fought  at  Port  Gibson,  Ilaymond,  Champion’s  Hill,  and  at  the 
assault  after  exploding  the  mine ; Alilitary  Governor  of  ATcksburg ; Oct.  27, 
1863,  appointed  to  command  of  15th  Army  Corps,  then  at  Huntsville.  In 
Atlanta  campaign,  fought  at  llc.saca,  Ball.as,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Tjittle  Kcn- 
esaw  ; in  the  battle  of  22d  July,  where,  on  the  death  of  McPherson,  he  took 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  in  the  battle  of  July  28.  He 
joined  Sherman  again  at  Savannah,  and  accompanied  him  through  the  Caro- 
linas.  May  23d,  ’65,  he  was  appointed  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee ; resigned  his  commission,  and  resignation  accepted,  Aug.,  1865. 


* 


Atlanta  Vicinitj/,  Ga.  501 

ments;  and  tbeir  commander  therefore  prudently  ordered  them  to 
retire  to  the  main  line  of  works  as  quickly  as  possible.  The  move- 
ment was  executed  as  only  veterans  can  maneuver  when  exposed 
to  a galling  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery.  The  Unionists  had 
barely  reached  the  feeble  breast-works,  when  the  enemy  rushed  in 
confusion  upon  their  temporary  works— tho  rebel  lino  of  battlo 
having  been  broken  by  an  enfilading  fire  as  soon  as  it  a[)proachcJ 
within  sixty  yards  of  the  Federal  line.  Tho  first  onset  of  tho  rebels 
proved  a bitter  failure,  and  they  staggered  back  in  great  disorder. 
Thus  foiled  in  their  assault,  they  determined  to  hurl  a larger  force 
upon  the  lines  which  checked  their  advance. 

A few  moments  of  silence  ensued ; but  it  was  only  the  calm  that 
preceded  the  storm.  Another  shout  rang  out  upon  the  air,  and  on 
came  another  solid  column.  The  assault  was  directed  with  despe- 
rate determination  on  the  second  and  fourth  divisions.  As  these 
divisions  formed  the  right  and  center  of  General  Logan’s  lines,  it 
argued  conclusively  that  the  rebels  believed  it  impossible  to  turn 
the  Union  right,  after  the  disastrous  repulse  which  greeted  their 
first  charge,  and  that  their  present  design  was  to  mass  heavily  upon 
the  center,  and  crush  it  if  possible.  General  Logau  perceiving  this, 
instructed  the  division  commanders  to  be  on  the  qui  vive,  and 
ordered  the  lines  to  bo  preserved  intact  at  all  hazards.  Two  guns 
of  the  Fourth  Ohio  battery,  however,  narrowly  escaj)od  capture. 
They  had  poured  shell  and  shrapnel  into  the  enemy’s  ranks,  during 
the  first  attack,  with  terrible  effect;  and  the  rebels  now  bore  down 
in  solid  masses  toward  them,  expecting  to  take  a full  battery.  With 
great  difficulty  the  two  cannons  were  drawn  inside  the  rapidly  con- 
structed works,  just  as  the  foe  shouted  triumphantly  over  their 
presumed  capture. 

For  nearly  an  hour  the  battle  raged  with  unspeakable  fury — tho 
rebels  throwing  grape  aud  canister  into  the  Federal  lines;  while 
the  latter,  owing  to  their  peculiar  position,  were  for  a time  unable 
to  employ  their  artillery.  But  at  length  the  fierce  tumult  began  to 
subside,  and  finally  there  were  only  occasional  volleys.  The  second 
assault  had  ended  like  the  first,  ingloriously,  but  with  much  heavier 
losses  to  the  enemy ; since  they  came  up  directly  in  front  of  the 
breast- works. 

Chagrined  at  their  continued  defeat,  and  enraged  beyond  endu- 
rance, they  again  dashed  forward  ; but  their  assault  was  once  more 
effectually  baflled  ; and  the  thrice  vanquished  foe  retired  beyond  a 
small  creek,  where  they  endeavored  to  re-form  their  .shattered  col- 


602 


Petershurg,  Va. 


nmna.  In  this  attempt  tlioy  succeeded  with  much  diflicnlty.  The 
Union  troojjs  were  now  directed  to  witliliold  tlieir  fire  till  the 
enemy’s  lines  were  in  pretty  good  order;  when,  at  a given  signal, 
a tremendous  roar  of  musketry*  burst  from  the  ranks,  completely 
mowing  down  the  rebel  advance.  At  three  o’clock  the  deadly 
strife  was  over ; the  smoke  of  battle  cleared  away  ; the  clash  of 
arms  no  longer  resounded ; and  the  sun  smiled  upon  a quiet,  if  not 
a peaceful,  scene. 

The  immediate  fruits  of  the  victory  were  five  stands  of  rebel 
colors,  189  prisoners,  and  nearly  2,000  stands  of  small-arras.  About 
600  of  the  enemy’s  dead  were  buried  by  the  Unionists.  General 
Logan  estimated  their  entire  loss  at  between  five  and  six  thousand. 
The  Union  casualties  were  small,  considering  the  length  of  the  time 
the  greater  number  of  troops  were  engaged,  and  the  ferocity  of  the 
contest.  There  were  fifty  killed,  439  wounded,  and  fifty  missing, 
making  an  aggregate  of  502. 

The  name  of  General  Logan  is  imperishably  connected  with  the 
victories  of  July  22d  and  28th,  before  Atlanta,  and  history  will  do 
him  lasting  honor  for  the  aid  ho  rendered  his  country  in  the  hour 
of  peril. 


PETERSBUEG,  VA. 

July  2T-S0, 18&4. 

Vnionists,  -under  General  Grant,  mimiera  chiefly  engaged,  about  85,000.  Losses, 
nearly  6,000. 

DUmiionUis,  under  General  Lee,  numbers  engaged,  not  reported.  Losses,  about 

1,200. 

The  interval  of  inaction  at  Petersburg  was  at  length  broken.  On 
Sunday,  the  24th  of  July,  there  was  brisk  shelling  and  picket  firing 
all  d.ay  in  front  of  the  ninth  corps,  and  the  night  preceding  had 
been  made  noisy  by  the  roar  of  the  huge  mortars.  The  next  day, 
J.londay,  was  quiet,  with  few  excei)tions.  Tuesday,  at  mid  day,  the 
enemy  o[)ened  awhile  on  the  Union  line.  At  dark  the  cannonad- 
ing was  renewed  and  lasted  till  near  midnight,  the  skirmishers  also 
engaging  in  rapid  musketry  fire. 

Meanwhile  General  Grant  inaugurated  the  grand  operations  for 
which  a month  of  preparation  had  been  spent.  On  Wednesday, 
the  27th,  at  daylight,  very  rapid  and  heavy  artillery  firing  inter- 
mingled with  musketry,  was  heard  from  Foster’s  headquarters  near 
City  Point,  where  he  was  well  protected  by  gun-boats.  It  con- 
tinued through  the  morning,  and  was  renewed  at  evening,  the  gun- 


Petersburg^  Fa. 


503 


boats  opening  heavily  on  the  enemy;  and  all  ^(jdnesday  night  the 
roar  was  incessant.  During  tlie  day,  Foster’s  division  lost  about 
fifty  men,  who  were  engaged  in  rapid  skirmishing  witli  the  foe. 

About  four  p.M.  of  the  same  day,  the  second  corps  silently  took 
up  its  march  from  the  extreme  left  of  the  line,  and  soon  after  was 
followed  by  Sheridan’s  cavalry.  The  column  marclied  very  rapidly, 
and  without  straggling,  to  Point  of  Rocks,  on  the  Apjiomattox, 
crossing  the  river  early  in  the  evening.  At  midnight  the  James 
was  reached  at  Jones’  Neck,  and  before  the  dawn  the  crossing  began 
on  the  pontoon  bridge,  which  had  been  muffled  with  hay  and  grass. 
Sheridan’s  cavalry  followed  jiromptly,  and  the  Union  line  of  battle 
was  established  with  Kautz  and  Sheridan  on  the  right ; Hancock’s 
second  corps  next,  at  Strawberry  Plains ; the  brigade  of  the  nine- 
teenth corps  on  his  left;  and  Foster  in  his  old  position  on  the 
extreme  left  at  Deep  Bottom.  The  work  of  the  day  was  assigned, 
however,  to  the  second  corps.  The  enemy  under  Kersliaw  were 
directly  opposite  them,  occupying  strong  rifle-pits  defended  by  a 
battery.  A road  from  the  crossing  ran  up  to  this  point,  on  which 
Hancock’s  corps  began  to  advance  about  six  o’clock. 

In  the  neighboring  stream  the  Mendota  opened  fire  with  100- 
pounder  Parrott  guns;  and  the  Union  skirmishers  spread  out  at 
once  across  the  open  space  in  front  of  the  enemy.  The  rebel  bat- 
tery began  a rapid  fire.  With  great  celerity,  however,  a brigade 
of  Barlow’s  division  advancing  under  cover,  handsomely  flanked 
the  enemy’s  position,  in  a brisk  charge.  The  foe  retreated,  aban- 
doning four  twenty-pounder  Parrott  guns  and  their  limbers,  with 
two  caissons,  which,  with  a few  prisoners,  were  sent  ±o  the  rear 
as  trophies. 

The  Union  force  having  now  halted,  the  rebels  also  paused,  and 
threw  up  new'  intrenchments  on  a commanding  ridge.  The  Fede- 
ral loss  was  not  over  fifty  in  killed  and  wounded.  In  the  evening 
a division  was  pushed  forward  to  skirmish  toward  the  enemy’s  new 
position.  Brisk  firing  occuri-ed,  with  heavier  loss  to  the  Unionists 
than  in  the  morning,  the  day’s  engagement  costing  a little  more 
than  100  men.  The  skirmishing  occurred  at  Newmarket,  a mile 
from  Deep  Bottom. 

On  Thursday,  the  28th,  there  was  a general  cavalry  advance. 
After  a march  of  three  miles,  Sheridan  encountered  a strong  infan- 
try force  of  the  enemy.  The  cavalry  was  quickly  dismounted  and 
formed  in  a belt  of  woods,  with  Gregg  on  the  right  and  Torbertoa 
the  left.  The  division  of  the  latter  was  briskly  attacked,  and  fell 


504 


Petersburg^  Fa. 


bnck  into  tlio  woods.  But  rallyiii}',  both  l^^Cl•ritt’s  and  Davies’ 
brigades  charged  and  broke  tlio  enemy,  wliieh  left  the  Unionists 
possessors  of  the  field,  with  two  stands  of  colors  and  100  [n-isoners. 
One  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  rebel  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners 
were  reported  to  have  fallen  into  Torbert's  hands.  On  the  right, 
Gregg  was  less  fortunate ; his  advance  brigade  was  steadily  forced 
back  with  heavy  loss.  At  length  Gibbon’s  division  relieved  Gregg, 
and  subsequently  skirmished  somewhat  with  the  foe.  The  entire 
Federal  loss  was  250.  Thursday  evening,  the  third  division  of  the 
second  corps  was  secretly  removed  to  Petersburg  again. 

On  Friday,  the  29th,  these  demonstrations  were  continued.  In 
order  to  mislead  the  rebels,  a train  of  about  400  empty  wagons  was 
ostentatiously  crossed  on  one  of  the  pontoon  bridges,  as  if  an  ad- 
vance on  Malvern  Hill  was  to  bo  made  in  great  force.  Nearly 
20,000  men  were  also  sent  north  of  the  James.  These  manifesta- 
tions had  the  desired  efiect.  Leo  immediately  sent  olf  from  Peters- 
burg a force  of  15,000  men  to  avert  the  impending  danger. 

Late  in  the  iifternoon  of  Fi'iday,  Hancock’s  corps  and  all  the 
cavalry  retraced  their  steps,  and  marching  all  night  arrived  before 
daybreak  at  Petersburg. 

But  all  these  events  were  only  preliminaries  of  a great  experi- 
ment, on  which  much  of  the  fortune  of  the  Unionists  had  been 
stiiked.  This  was  the  explosion  of  a heavy  mine,  which  had  been 
secretly  planted  under  one  of  the  enemy’s  formidable  works.  The 
idea  of  this  mine  originated  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pleasants, 
and  the  entire  work  was  accomplished  by  the  Forty-eighth  Penn- 
sylvania Regiment  under  his  direction.  Intervening  between  the 
Union  line  and  that  of  the  rebels,  and  shielded  from  the  latter,  was 
a ravine,  in  the  western  slope  of  which  the  construction  of  a tun- 
nel was  commenced.  Five  hundred  feet  beyond  the  entrance  of 
the  ravine  was  located  the  doomed  rebel  fort,  and  consequently  a 
passage  of  that  length  was  required,  Iiaving  a gradual  ascent  toward 
the  work.  Having  attained  the  fort,  oblong  wdngs  extending  to 
right  and  left  were  excavated,  the  mine  and  passage-way  when 
comj)leted  being  similar  in  shape  to  the  letter  T,  the  mine  con-e- 
spondingto  the  horizontal  and  the  passage-way  to  the  perpendicular 
portion  of  the  letter.  The  utmost  caution  was  observed  in  pursu- 
ing the  labor  of  excavation  beneatli  the  fort,  tiiat  the  rebels  might 
not  discover  the  plot.  Enlargements  for  the  reception  of  powder 
were  made  in  the  center,  and  at  the  extremities  of  the  wimrs.  sup- 
ports placed  to  prevent  the  giving  way  of  the  earth  and  tlie  mine 


Petersburg^  Va. 


505 


■wa3  then  completed.  Ten  thous.'iiul  pounds  of  powder  were  jil.-iced 
in  the  prepared  receptacles,  and  troops  made  ready  to  advance  at 
a moment’s  notice.  Just  a month  from  its  inception,  the  work 
was  finished.  But  it  was  not  immediately  fired,  a delay  of  several 
days  ensuing. 

On  the  evening  of  Friday  the  troops  were  notified  lliat  the  ex- 
plosion would  take  i)laco  at  half-past  three  the  following  morning, 
and  orders  were  given  for  the  movement  of  the  trooi)s  at  that  time. 
The  appointed  hour  found  the  men  in  the  trenches,  wide  awako 
and  expectant.  Everything  being  in  readiness,  tlie  fuse  connecting 
with  the  main  chamber  w.as  lighted.  Ten  minutes  elai)sed,  and  yet 
no  report.  “ The  men  awaited  the  result  in  breathless  suspense. 
Half  an  hour  passed  ; the  silence  remained  unbroken,  and  it  became 
apparent  that  the  fuse  had  gone  out.  But  who  would  venture 
along  the  dark  passage  to  examine  the  fuse,  when  death  in  its  most 
horrible  form  might  await  his  coining?  A lieutenant  and  sergeant 
of  the  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  stepped  forward  and  proffered 
their  services.  They  entered  the  jiassage.  Some  delay  occurred 
in  the  adjustment  of  the  fuses,  and  meantime  a red  glow  in  the 
east  heralded  the  coming  dawn. 

At  half-past  four  the  fuse  is  relighted,  and  again  the  men  in  the 
trenches  clutch  their  guns  with  a tighter  grasp  and  await  the  fear- 
ful blast.  Five  minutes  pass,  and  all  remains  silent.  The  rebels, 
unconscious  of  their  doom,  sleep  on  ; the  sun,  as  if  e.agcr  to  behold 
the  spectacle,  mounts  the  horizon  ; and  at  length  the  earth  heaves 
and  trembles  as  if  convulsed  by  an  earthquake.  An  instant,  and 
then  came  the  sound  of  a terrific  explosion  ; huge  masses  of  earth, 
men,  cannon,  caissons,  limbers,  forges,  guns,  and  timbers  are  heaved 
high  in  the  air,  and  descend  with  a deafening  crash — a hideous, 
chaotic  mass.  A yawning  crater,  100  feet  in  depth  and  twenty-five 
in  width,  willr  heaiis  of  i-nins,  was  left  where  once  stood  a six-gun 
fort,  its  camp  equipage,  and  200  men.  Instantly  upon  the  ex[ilo- 
sion  a gun  broke  out  from  the  Union  line,  then  another,  and  soon 
a hundred  cannon  from  every  eminence  along  the  lino  joined  in  a 
fire  which  exceeded  in  intensity  even  that  of  Gettysburg.  Far 
distant,  the  batteries  of  Generals  Butler  and  Foster  echoed  the 
roar;  while  now  and  then  were  heard  along  the  lino  the  r.attling 
Tolleys  of  musketry.  Gr.adnally  recovering  from  their  jialsy  of 
surprise  and  terror,  the  enemy  began  to  respond  with  artillery  and 
musketry. 

Meantime  Ledlie’s  division  was  already  massed  in  front  of  the 


506 


Petersburg,  Va. 


rcLel  intrenclimcnts,  with  Marshiill’s  brigade  in  advance  and  Bart- 
lett’s in  the  rear.  Strange  to  relate,  the  fornior  brigade  were  sin- 
gularly misled,  and  from  the  proximity  of  the  mine,  believed  it 
was  one  of  their  own  works  exploded  by  the  enemy.  Either  a 
half-panic  or  want  of  preparation  delayed  them.  But  after  a few 
minutes  they  were  ready,  and  with  a wild  enthusiastic  cheer  rushed 
to  their  work,  and  marching  across  the  deadly  plain,  under  a severe 
fire,  stumbled  into  tlio  horrible  breach  which  the  mine  had  made. 
The  supporting  brigades  spread  out,  and  enveloping  the  flanking 
rifle-pits,  caj)tured  200  prisoners,  and  sent  them  to  the  roar.  The 
Fourteenth  New  York  heavy  artillery  were  first  to  enter  the  gap, 
and  an  appalling  sight  met  them — the  wreck  of  the  fort  and  the 
upheaved  earth,  with  the  mangled  bodies  and  dissevered  limbs  of 
the  garrison  protruding  here  and  there  from  the  debris.  The  black 
cloud  of  dust,  thickened  by  the  heavy  smoke  of  battle,  still  hung 
over  the  field  and  shrouded  it  from  view.  There  was  no  time  for 
delay.  Some  commenced  digging  out  the  buried  cannon ; others 
throw  up  hasty  breast-works  against  the  wild  tempest  of  shot  and 
shell  which  already  swept  the  place  from  the  enemy’s  second  line; 
while  a few  exhumed  those  who  were  struggling  beneath  the  ruins. 

So  far  all  was  well.  The  troops  had  gained  the  breach,  and  were 
re-forming  for  assault.  A hundred  guns  were  thundering  at  the 
enemy’s  batteries  to  call  them  from  the  storming  party.  But  now 
began  the  error  which  culminated  in  disaster.  Above  all  things 
it  was  necessary  to  burst  at  once  on  the  crest  of  Cemetery  Hill. 
But  the  advance  brigades  were  suffered  to  throw  up  intrenchments 
and  spend  time  in  bringing  two  guns  to  be.ar  upon  the  foe.  The 
latter,  quite  recovered  from  his  consternation,  promptly  rallied  and 
poured  in  a destructive  enfilading  fire  upon  the  captured  fort. 

At  length  after  an  anxious  and  fatal  delay,  the  ninth  corps  was 
re-formed,  and  under  cover  of  the  fire  of  the  two  guns  began  the 
charge.  At  every  step  the  fire  of  the  rebels  from  front  and  either 
flank  concentrated  with  greater  fury  upon  them,  and  from  the 
thickly  studded  defenses  of  Cemetery  Hill,  from  redoubt  and  redan, 
salient  and  curtain,  plowed  up  their  ranks  with  bloody  slaughter. 
The  charge  was  checked  ; on  the  side  of  the  crest  there  was  a halt; 
and  finally  the  whole  line,  wavering  under  terrible  odds,  recoiled 
and  fell  back  to  the  fort. 

At  nine  o’clock,  Ferrero’s  colored  division  was  brought  up  to 
dislodge  the  enemy  from  the  hill.  They  advanced  gallantly,  and 
for  a moment  it  seemed  as  if  the  tide  of  battle  was  about  to  turn. 


Moorcfidd^  Ff<.  C-OY 

Bat  the  division  only  met  the  fate  of  its  comrades.  Subjected  to  the 
same  fiery  ordeal,  they  wavered,  broke  in  disorder,  and  fell  back, 
repulsed  and  demoralized.  Finally  rallying,  they  advanced  once 
more,  but  all  in  vain  ; it  was  only  again  to  fall  back,  their  purpose 
still  unaccomplished.  General  Grant  then  ordered  the  Federal 
lines  to  retire  to  their  first  position. 

In  the  ruins  around  the  immense  crater  formed  by  the  explosion 
of  the  mine  were  a considerable  number  of  men  and  officers. 
Escape  by  retreat  to  the  rear  with  any  degree  of  safety  was  impos- 
sible, as  the  only  exit  was  swept  by  grape  and  canister  and  covered 
by  the  muskets  of  the  enemy  on  either  flank.  It  was  therefore 
deemed  advisable  to  leave  this  party  in  the  ruins,  till  darkness 
should  favor  their  withdrawal.  Nearly  all,  however,  were  subse- 
quently captured  by  the  rebels. 

The  gain  to  the  Unionists  was  the  complete  erasure  of  one 
of  the  most  formidable  forts  of  the  enemy  ; but  their  losses  were 
nearly  5,000  men.  The  casualties  of  the  rebels  were  estimated  at 
1,200,  of  whom  about  one  sixth  were  prisoners.  It  was  supposed 
that  not  far  from  200  men  were  destroyed  by  the  explosion  of  the 
mine. 


MOOREFIELD,  VA. 

August  7,  1804. 

UnioniaU^  under  General  Averill.  Killed^  7 ; wounded^  21. 

jyisunionietHy  under  Generals  McCausland  and  Bradley  Johneon.  Killed  and 

L wounded^  not  reported ; prisoners^  420. 

Gknkkal  Avep.ill  attacked  the  combined  forces  of  Generals 
McCausland,  Johnson,  Gilmer,  and  McNiel  on  the  morning  of 
August  7th.  A spirited  fight  ensued,  in  which  the  rebels  were 
completely  routed.  They  lost  all  of  their  artillery,  a vast  quantity 
of  small  arms,  400  horses  and  their  equipments,  and  420  prisoners, 
including  thirty-six  officers.  McCausland  with  his  broken  and 
demoralized  command  fled  to  the  mountains. 

General  Averill  pursued  the  scattered  remnant  of  the  rebel  force 
for  twenty-four  miles,  capturing  many  of  the  fugitives.  The  pur- 
suit was  only  abandoned  when  General  Averill’s  horses  became 
too  much  exhausted  to  follow  the  enemy  farther. 


508 


EtUrance  to  Mobile  Eay^  Ala. 


ENTRANCE  TO  MOBILE  BAY.  ALA. 

ArouST  6 TO  20,  1864. 

Union  naval  forccft.  under  Hear- Admiral  Farragut.  14  sloops  of  war  and  four 
iron-clad  monitors.  Land  forces  about  6,000,  under  General  Gordon  Granger, 
Losses,  about  120  killed,  and  S8  wounded. 

Disunion  land  forces,  under  Brigadier  General  Page,  ahout1,<XX).  Naval  forces, 
under  Admiral  Buchanan,  about  500.  Losses,  killed  and  wounded,  not  re- 
ported; prisoners  1,756,  and  a5oiin60  guns. 

Reais-Admihai.  Fakuaotit,  in  command  of  tlio  West  Gulf  block- 
ading squadron,  liad  long  desired  the  eapturo  of  Mobile,  or  at  least 
the  reduction  of  the  forts  wliicli  commanded  the  entraneo  to  the 
bay,  as  with  the  protection  alfordcd  to  the  blockade-runners  by 
the  forts  it  was  almost  impossible  to  enforce  a stringent  blockade, 
lie  bad  made  strenuous  efforts  to  obtain  a co-operative  land  force 
to  assist  in  the  capture  of  these  forts,  but  the  exigencies  of  the 
service  had  been  such  that  his  efforts  had  been  hitherto  in  vain. 
At  length,  early  in  August,  186t,  lie  succeeded  in  obtaining  5,000 
men  from  General  Canby,  and  these  being  landed  on  Dauphin  Isl- 
and, he  moved  to  the  attack  on  the  5th  of  August  with  fourteen 
sloops  of  war  and  gun-boats  and  four  monitors.  The  gun-boats 
and  sloops  of  war  were  lashed  together,  two  and  two,  as  follows  : 
the  Brooklyn  and  Octorara  (the  Brooklyn  being  on  the  side  nearest 
Fort  Morgan,  the  strongest  of  the  rebel  works),  the  Hartford  and 
Metacorhet,  the  Richmond  and  Port  Royal,  the  Lackawanna  and 
Seminole,  the  Monongahela  and  Kennebec,  the  Ossipee  and  Itasca, 
and  the  Oneida  and  Galena.  The  four  monitors  were  between 
these  and  the  fort,  the  Tecumseh  leading,  and  followed  by  the 
Manhattan,  Winmeb.ago,  and  Chickasaw.  The  rebels,  in  addition 
to  these  foi-ts.  Fort  liforgan  mounting  sixty  guns.  Fort  Gaines, 
twenty-six  guns,  and  Fort  Powell,  eighteen  guns,  had  a very  largo 
iron-clad  ram,  the  Tennessee,  regarded  by  them  as  the  most  for- 
midable of  their  armored  ships,  and  three  largo  gun-boats,  tho 
Selma,  Morgan,  and  Gaines.  Tho  fleet  steamed  steadily  up  tho 
channel,  the  Tecumseh  firing  the  first  gun  at  G.47  a.m.  Tho  forts 
replied  at  .«ix  minutes  past  seven,  and  the  action  soon  became  gen- 
eral. Very  early,  however,  in  the  action,  the  Tecumseh  struck  a 
torpedo,  and  its  explosion  caused  her  to  sink  almost  instantly.  All 
but  twenty-three  of  her  crew  were  drowned  or  killed  by  the  explosion. 
Sending  boats  from  his  consort,  tho  Metacomet,  to-  rescue  all  who 
could  be  saved  of  the  crew  of  the  unfortunate  vessel,  Rear-Admiral 


FARRAGUT’S  VICTORY  IM  NIOBILE  BAY 


511 


Entrance  to  Mobile  Eay,  Ala. 

Farragut,  who  had  very  unwillingly  allowed  the  Brooklyn  to  lead, 
now  pushed  ahead  with  his  flag-ship,  the  Hartford,  and  though  the 
bay  was  thickly  sown  with  torpedoes,  yet,  he  says  in  his  report, 
“ believing  that  from  having  been  some  time  in  the  water,  they 
were  probably  innocuous,  I determined  to  take  the  chance  of  their 
explosion.”  The  Admiral  had  mounted  the  rigging,  and  lashed 
him.self  in  a position  of  great  danger  near  the  maintop,  to  bo  the 
better  able  to  witness  the  conflict,  and  there  he  remained  througli- 
out  the  fight. 

The  fleet  maintained  so  heavy  and  well-directed  a fire  upon  Fort 
Morgan,  that  its  irregular  fire  did  them  little  injury  ; but  they  had 
but  just  passed  the  fort  when  the  ram  Tennessee  came  down  at  full 
speed  with  the  intention  of  striking  the  flag-ship  Hartford,  but 
that  vessel  eluded  her  blow  and  poured  a broadside  into  her,  the 
Admiral  signaling  at  the  same  time  to  the  iron-clads  and  gun- 
boats to  attack  her.  The  Monougahela,  the  Lackawanna,  and  the 
Hartford  each  struck  her  with  their  bows,  the  first  two  crushing 
their  stems  without  doing  her  much  injury ; the  Hartford  struck 
her  obliquely,  but  poured  her  whole  port  broadside  into  the  ram 
at  a distance  of  not  over  ten  feet  from  her  casemate.  The  monitors 
Chickasaw  and  Manhattan  had  now  come  up,  and  while  the  former 
had  attacked  her  stern  and  disabled  the  screw,  the  latter  had 
broken  through  her  armor  and  its  wooden  backing  with  one  of  her 
fifteen-inch  shot,  killing  and  wounding  a number  of  her  crew. 
The  Hartford  had  drawn  back  to  strike  her  again,  when  the  Lack- 
awanna coming  down  for  a second  blow,  struck  the  Hartford  in- 
stead of  the  rebel  vessel,  the  smoke  having  obscured  the  position 
of  the  vessels.  Though  seriously  injured,  however,  the  Hartford 
■was  not  in  a sinking  condition,  and  the  ram,  now  sorely  distressed, 
raised  the  white  flag  and  surrendered.  The  Selma  was  also  cap- 
tured, and  the  Gaines  and  Morgan  driven  Tip  tlie  bay.  The  next 
day  Fort  Powell,  with  its  eighteen  guns,  was  abandoned.  On  the 
8th  of  August,  Fort  Gaines  surrendered  with  fifty-six  officers,  eight 
hundred  and  eighty  men,  and  twenty-six  guns ; and  on  the  23d  of 
August,  after  a further  bombardment  of  twenty-four  hours.  Fort 
Morgan,  with  six  hundred  prisoners  and  sixty  guns,  was  given  up. 
Tills  victory  hermetically  sealed  the  port  of  Mobile. 


613  Strawberry  Plains,  Fa. 

STEAWBERRY  PLAINS,  VA. 

August  14,  1864. 

UnionUU^  under  General  Grant^froin  85,000  to  40,000.  Total  losSy  about  1,100. 
DUxinionutSy  under  General  Zee,  numhera  not  reported.  Killed  and  wounded^ 
not  given;  priaonersy  about  250. 

DuEiNfl  Saturday  night,  August  13th,  Gregg’s  cavalry  division 
and  the  tenth  corps  were  thrown  across  the  James  on  the  pontoon 
bridge  to  Deep  Bottom,  at  which  point  Foster’s  brigade  of  the 
tenth  had  long  been  stationed.  The  same  night,  the  second  corps, 
which  had  been  ostentatiously  moving  down  toward  Fortress  Mon- 
roe all  day,  in  transports,  was  swiftly  and  secretly  returned,  and 
disembarked  at  the  same  point. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  Foster’s  brigade  was  pushed 
forward,  while  the  remainder  of  the  forces  gradually  deployed  into 
the  required  line.  The  brigade  moved  out  upon  Strawberry  Plains, 
and  there  found  the  enemy  strongly  posted  in  intrencliinents  situ- 
ated on  commanding  ridges,  covering  the  Kingsland  road  with  a 
line  of  rifle-pits;  and  at  length  the  Tenth  Connecticut  and  Twenty- 
fourth  Massachusetts  charged  the  pits,  and  took  them  with  hardly 
a struggle,  capturing  from  80  to  100  prisoners. 

This  success  achieved,  it  was  necessary  to  form  all  the  troops  in 
order  of  battle,  and  to  push  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible;  for  the 
enemy  was  hurrying  troops  over  from  his  right  to  the  region  of 
Malvern  Hill.  The  maneuver  was  accomplished  with  severe  exer- 
tion and  constant  skirmishing.  Gregg’s  cavalry  swept  out  to  the 
right,  clearing  the  field,  dispersing  the  enemy’s  pickets,  and  opening 
the  way  for  the  second  corps.  When  all  was  complete,  the  cavalry 
covered  the  right  flank,  next  came  the  second  corps,  with  its  left 
resting  on  the  right  bank  of  Four  Mile  Creek,  and  finally  the  tenth 
corps. 

The  gun-boats  were  in  the  river  in  the  Union  rear,  and  shelled 
the  rebel  works  occasionally.  Most  of  the  day  was  consumed  in 
making  these  dispositions.  General  Grant  was  on  the  field,  with 
Generals  Butler,  Hancock,  and  Birncy.  Toward  evening  an  efibrt 
was  made  to  advance  the  whole  lino.  On  the  loft,  the  tenth  mov- 
ing gallantly  forward,  charged  the  rebels’  outer  works,  and  after  a 
brisk  engagement,  succeeded  in  carrjnng  them,  and  capturing  a 
numl)er  of  prisoners.  This  brilliant  victory  was  achieved  chiefly 
by  Foster’s  brigade. 

In  the  center,  the  troops,  though  equally  gallant,  were  less  suc- 
cessful. Barlow’s  and  Gibbon’s  divisions  assaulted  the  enemy’s 


513 


Deep  Bottom^  Fa. 


works  with  much  pertinacity,  and  established  themselves  some  dis- 
tance in  advance  of  the  works.  Gibbon’s  brigade  now  led  the 
assault.  They  crossed  a cornfield,  and  swept  up  and  down  a hill 
and  into  a ravine,  where  a stream  surrounded  by  swampy  land 
checked  all  progress.  Tins  charge  was  executed  under  very  severe 
artillery  fire  from  the  rebels,  which  made  fearful  havoc  in  tlio  lead- 
ing division,  and  caused  no  small  loss  in  the  supporting  divisions. 
Completely  checked  by  the  natural  obstacles,  the  Unionists  con- 
cealed themselves  awhile  from  the  fire  which  raked  the  ravine, 
and  were  at  length  withdrawn.  A strong  line  was  then  formed  in 
the  rear. 

While  the  day  did  not  result  in  a substantial  .advance,  it  secured 
a well-connected  order  of  battle,  besides  the  capture  of  four  guns 
and  100  prisoners.  The  Union  loss  was  estimated  at  from  1,000  to 
1,200.  Foster’s  brigade  alone  sustained  a loss  of  nearly  300.  Some 
of  the  Union  artillery  was  employed,  and  the  gun-boats  took  part 
in  the  action  during  a portion  of  the  time.  The  enemy’s  loss,  owing 
to  his  advantage  of  position,  was  comparatively  light. 


DEEP  BOTTOM,  VA 

August  16  to  18^  1864. 

Xfnioni}<U^  under  General  Grants  85,000  to  40,000.  Total  nearly  4,000. 
JJiHunionUU^  under  General  Zee,  numbers  not  reported.  Total  loss^  eBtimated  at 
about  2,500. 

On  Monday,  August  16th,  the  day  following  the  battle  of  Straw- 
berry Plains,  severe  skirmishing  was  kept  up  by  the  contending 
hosts  from  morning  till  night ; the  main  effort  being  to  extend  the 
Union  line  to  the  right,  and  secure  a stronger  position.  Early  in 
the  afternoon,  the  Federal  force  pushed  forward  on  the  Central 
road,  and  also  on  the  Charles  City  road  ; but  the  enemy’s  cavalry 
resisting  stoutly,  for  a time  checked  their  progress.  The  Union 
losses  during  the  day  were  roughly  estimated  at  300,  the  rebels  los- 
ing much  less,  from  their  superiority  of  position,  j 

The  following  day  a still  more  determined  effort  was  made  to 
advance.  Early  in  the  morning,  Birney  pushed  out  his  right  toward 
the  enemy’s  intrenchments,  and  Gregg’s  cavalry  moved  forward  on 
the  Charles  City  road  as  far  as  Deep  Run,  and  at  tliis  point  was 
joined  by  a brigade  of  Barlow'’s  division.  The  column  soon  found 
the  enemy  disputing  its  farther  progress,  and  a sharp  fight  took 
place  with  Chambliss’  brigade  of  Fitz  Ilugh  Lee’s  cavalry.  The 

2G 


SSSB 


514  Deep  Bottom^  Fa. 

rebels  were  quickly  driven  back  to  tbeir  works,  and  the  gallant 
Chambliss  fell  while  rallying  his  men.  The  Federal  force  then 
pushed  forward  to  the  vicinity  of  White’s  Tavern — a point  seven 
miles  distant  from  Richmond.  Here  the  enemy  was  found  intrench- 
ed in  a position  which  some  skirmishing  proved  too  strong  to  be 
carried.  Miles  then  withdrew  his  brigade,  marching  back  on  the 
route  he  had  followed  in  the  morning.  This  retrograde  movement 
inspired  the  rebels  with  new  confidence ; and  having  gathered  a 
considerable  force  at  White’s  Tavern,  they  swei)t  down  upon  Gregg, 
and  drove  him  back  two  miles.  The  Union  loss  in  this  reconnois- 
sance  was  estimated  at  about  150  in  Miles’  infantry,  and  100  in  the 
cavalry. 

Meanwhile  still  harder  fighting  was  going  on  in  the  center.  The 
Unionists,  having  driven  the  enemy’s  picket  line  into  its  works,  a 
brisk  artillery  duel  was  opened,  under  cover  of  which  Birney  ad- 
vanced and  captured  some  slight  works  and  forty  or  fifty  prisoners. 
The  troops  were  now  re-formed.  Pond’s  brigade  then  charged  the 
main  rebel-works  in  handsome  style ; and,  supported  by  Hawley 
and  some  colored  troops,  carried  the  intrenchments  after  a long 
struggle,  and  captured  200  prisoners.  The  firing  was  very  rapid, 
and  for  an  hour  the  fighting  was  close  and  hard.  The  loss  on  both 
sides  was  heavy.  This  was  the  principal  contest  of  the  day. 

As  soon  as  the  intrenchments  were  carried,  the  troops  were  set 
to  work  to  hold  them  against  the  enemy.  About  mid-day,  the 
rebels,  having  rallied,  began  to  drive  the  right  again,  which  con- 
sisted of  Gregg’s  cavalry.  Craig’s  brigade  was  sent  to  its  assist- 
ance. A sharp  engagement  ensued,  in  which  Colonel  Craig  was 
killed ; and,  in  consequence,  his  brigade  was  thrown  into  moment- 
ary confusion,  and  fell  back  with  the  loss  of  many  prisoners.  The 
foe  now  redoubled  the  attack  on  the  center  in  a series  of  desperate 
assaults,  and  finally  repossessed  the  works. 

About  six  o’clock,  Birney  made  one  more  effort  to  retake  the 
works,  and  was  again  unsuccessful.  The  enejny  having  succeeded 
in  getting  an  enfilading  fire  on  the  center,  by  forcing  back  the  right 
and  left,  the  entire  line  was  withdrawn  at  dark,  and  the  battle 
ceased.  The  Union  losses  were  estimated  at  1,600.  The  rebel  loss 
must  have  been  nearly  equal,  from  his  having  assaulted  so  despe- 
rately in  the  afternoon. 

Wednesday  was  a day  of  quiet,  the  only  matter  of  interest  was 
the  burial  of  the  dead.  The  following  day  was  also  a day  of  com- 
parative quiet  at  Deep  Bottom,  there  being  only  the  skirmishing 


i 


515 


Crooked  Run^  Vou 

customary  in  such  positions,  with  some  casualties  on  both  sides. 
But  on  Thursday  night  a fierce  assault  was  made  on  the  iutrench- 
raents  of  the  tenth  corps  by  a division  of  the  enemy  who  charged 
in  column.  The  firing  was  heavy  and  the  assault  desperate.  But 
it  was  handsomely  repulsed.  The  brunt  of  the  battle  fell  upon 
Terry’s  division  and  Birney’s  colored  brigade.  The  enemy’s  loss 
was  reported  at  1,000.  The  Union  loss  was  much  less.  On  Friday 
the  19th  there  was  some  skirmishing,  but  no  general  engagement. 

Saturday  morning  found  a part  of  the  second  corps  back  near  its 
old  position  at  Petersburg,  the  rest  of  the  army  on  its  way ; and  the 
demonstration  at  Deep  Bottom  was  terminated. 


CROOKED  RUN,  YA. 

August  16,  1864. 

XJnioni^tB^  vnder  General  Merritt^  ixco  'brigades.  Total  loss^  70. 

DisunionUts^  under  Generals  Lomax,  ’Wichliam,  and  others,  three  brigades. 
Total  loss,  from  200  to  300. 

With  a view  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  flanking  the  Union 
army  by  way  of  the  gaps  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  to  cover  its  re- 
treat, General  Sheridan,  on  the  14th  of  August,  dispatched  Devins’ 
cavalry  brigade  from  Cedar  Creek — where  tho  main  army  was  en- 
camped— a few  miles  to  tho  southeast,  toward  Front  Royal.  Two 
days  later  General  Custer  was  ordered  to  take  his  brigade  of  cav- 
alry within  supporting  distance  of  Devins, who  was  about  four  miles 
from  Front  Royal.  The  reserve  brigade.  Colonel  Gibbs’,  was  also 
marched  to  the  immediate  vicinity.  General  Custer’s  brigade  hav- 
ing arrived  at  the  place  designated,  went  into  camp  on  the  left  of 
the  pike,  a little  more  than  a mile  from  Crooked  Run  ; while  Gen- 
eral Devins’  command  was  encamped  on  the  right,  and  picketed  up 
to  this  time  the  entire  front.  Horses  were  unsaddled,  and  brigade 
and  regimental  headquarters  had  their  tents  pitched ; officers  and 
men  were  engaged  in  making  themselves  comfortable.  But  the 
line  was  suddenly  roused  from  its  composure  by  the  appearance  of 
the  enemy  in  two  columns  marching  down  the  Winchester  and  Front 
Royal  pike  to  cross  the  Shenandoah  and  attack  the  Federal  troops. 
A column  of  infantry  made  for  the  ford  and  one  of  cavalry  for  tho 
bridge.  Custer  quickly  got  his  command  into  position.  A brisk 
artillery  duel  ensued,  the  enemy  employing  eight  pieces,  but  with 
little  damage  to  the  Unionists.  But  having  crossed  the  river  and 
driven  in  the  Federal  skirmishers,  they  next  advanced  to  carry  the 


518 


Weldon  Railroad,  near  Petersburg,  Va. 


batteries,  wbich  were  advantageonsly  posted.  After  a brisk  nssanlt 
the  foe  were  repulsed  on  the  right,  and  driven  across  the  river 
again,  two  regiments  of  Devin’s  brigade  charging  gallantly  upon 
their  antagonists,  and  each  capturing  a flag.  Meanwhile,  however, 
the  enemy  secured  a good  position  for  their  artillery,  and  next  at- 
tempted to  turn  the  Union  loft. 

A series  of  sharp  charges  and  connter-cbarges  between  the  bri- 
gade of  Kershaw’s  division  which  had  crossed  and  Custer’s  cavalry 
brigade  now  ensued,  prolonging  the  battle  till  after  dark.  The 
regiments  of  the  latter  were  well  posted,  and  the  assaults  of  the 
enemy  were  repulsed  with  heavy  losses.  The  Union  cavalry  then 
made  several  mounted  charges,  and  the  rebels  foiled  on  the  left,  as 
they  had  been  on  the  right,  fell  back  across  the  stream.  But  a 
regiment,  sent  round  to  the  ford,  cut  off  and  captured  about  150 
of  the  foe  before  they  could  reach  the  river. 

The  rebel  force  consisted  of  a part  of  Kershaw’s  division  and 
two  small  brigades  under  T.omax  and  Wickham.  The  Union  army 
embraced  two  brigades  under  General  Merritt.  Their  total  loss  did 
not  exceed  seventy.  The  enemy  lost  over  200  prisoners,  and  thirty 
of  their  dead  were  left  on  the  battle-field. 


WELDON  KAILEOAD,  NEAR  PETERSBURG,  VA. 

AuGuaT  18  TO  25,  1864- 

UnioniBtSy  under  General  Grants  from  80,000  to  90,000-  Killed  and  wounded^ 
about  8,700 ; ■priBonerH^  nearly  5,100. 

DhunioninU^  under  General  Zee,  numbers  not  reported.  Killed  and  wounded^ 
nearly  4,900  ; prisoners^  about  1,100. 

The  affair  at  Deep  Bottom — which  we  have  just  recorded, — in 
spite  of  its  bloody  and  obstinate  nature,  was  merely  a cover  for 
more  important  operations  below  Petersburg.  Its  object  was  to 
burry  off  Lee’s  troops  to  the  right,  that  the  left  might  advance 
with  ease. 

The  subtraction  of  the  second  corps  from  the  Union  left  excited 
the  notice  and  comment  of  the  enemy.  But  he  supposed  it  bad 
gone  to  Washington,  and  the  deceptive  movement  of  transports  in 
the  James  gave  color  to  this  theory.  The  shortening  of  the  line 
persuaded  the  enemy  that  a change  of  base  was  soon  to  occur. 
During  the  sanguinary  contest  at  Deep  Bottom,  but  little  of  im- 
portance occurred  at  Petersburg.  The  usual  amount  of  picket  firing 
and  artillery  dueling  continued — except  on  the  evening  of  the  15th, 


Weldon  Hailroad,  7iear  Petersburg^  Vd.  517 

when  an  extraordinarj  storm  and  freshet  swept  away  tents  and 
sutlers’  booths,  and  filled  the  trenches  with  water.  The  artillery 
fire  on  the  evening  of  the  ICth  was  severe  and  long  continued.  But 
at  one  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  enemy  ojiened  one 
of  the  hottest  fires  of  the  campaign,  and  by  far  the  most  severe  of 
any  since  the  explosion  of  the  mine.  It  was  prolonged  into  the 
clear  moonlight  of  the  morning,  and  extended  throughout  the  line. 

Soon  after  the  heavy  cannonading  ceased,  the  fifth  corps  started 
from  its  camp,  with  four  days’  rations,  toward  the  Weldon  Railroad. 
Some  time  was  occupied  in  getting  across  the  old  ground  formerly 
held  by  the  second  and  sixth  corps.  The  column  then  marched 
toward  Reams’  Station,  driving  in  the  enemy’s  skirmishers,  a part 
of  whom  were  captured.  About  eight  o’clock,  the  advance  reach- 
ed Six  Miles’ Station,  and  proceeded  to  tear  up  and  burn  a mile  of 
the  track.  While  the  first  division  was  thus  engaged,  the  others 
passed  on  toward  Petersburg.  The  column  encountered  a rebel 
brigade  of  cavalry  about  ten  o’clock  at  Yellow  Tavern,  and  drove 
it  back,  step  by  step,  to  Davis’  Farm,  two  miles  below  Petersburg. 
At  this  point,  the  enemy’s  reinforcements  came  up,  consisting  of 
two  divisions  of  Hill’s  corps.  The  Federal  line  was  halted  in  the 
open  field  ; when  the  rebels  suddenly  emerged  from  the  woods  in 
front,  and  advanced  in  a precipitate  charge.  For  a time  the  Union 
force  was  roughly  handled  ; but,  reinforcements  being  hurried  for- 
ward, the  tide  of  battle  was  turned  and  the  enemy  repulsed,  the 
Unionists  extending  around  his  left  and  flanking  it. 

The  engagement  closed  before  dark  ; and  the  Federal  troops  at 
once  went  to  work  throwing  the  mud  into  intrenchments,  while 
rain  fell  in  torrents  all  night.  Fearful  of  a renewal  of  the  attack, 
the  enemy  shelled  their  opponents  very  heavily  all  along  their  posi- 
tion from  midnight  till  daybreak.  The  affair  of  the  day  was  a 
triumphant  success;  and  night  found  the  Unionists  strongly  in- 
trenched on  the  i-ailroad,  two  and  a half  miles  below  Petersburg. 
Their  loss  in  the  engagement  was  stated  at  ‘J3G.  The  rebel  loss 
according  to  their  own  acknowledgment  was  600. 

This  great  success  achieved,  it  was  now  a matter  of  much  mo- 
ment to  connect  the  new  position  with  the  main  line  at  Petersburg. 
Accordingly  skirmishers  were  pushed  forward  Friday  morning,  the 
whole  line  following,  throwing  up  breast-works  as  they  proceeded, 
and  establishing  batteries  to  strengthen  the  advanced  position. 
About  ten  o’clock  a brief  skirmish  broke  out  in  front  of  the  picket 
lines  on  the  right,  whose  Dosition  the  enemy  was  reconnoitering. 


518 


"Weldon  Jlailroad,  near  Petersburg,  Va. 


Soon  after  noon,  tho  Union  forces  got  into  lino.  A few  Lours 
later  General  A.  1’.  liill  Lur.st  upon  tlioin,  with  Loth  <livision.4  of 
Lis  corps,  under  llaLono  and  lleth.  'J'Le  attack  was  opened  hy  tho 
former,  who  sprang  upon  the  Federal  right  with  great  fury,  having 
with  him  Lis  old  brigade,  also  those  of  Colquitt  andClingman.  He 
first  struck  Bragg’s  brigade  of  Crawford’s  division.  The  Nine- 
teenth Indiana,  tho  advanced  regiment,  was  driven  back  to  the 
breast-works,  from  the  cornfield  where  it  bad  been  posted.  Laving 
lost  many  of  its  men.  The  enemy  unfortunately  discovered  the 
gap  which  existed  here,  and  swept  through  it  like  a torrent,  sepa- 
rating the  divisions  of  Wilcox  and  Crawford.  A fearful  conflict 
ensued;  but  nothing  seemed  to  repel  the  impetuous  onset.  Wil- 
cox’s brigades,  however,  were  kept  closely  massed  on  the  left,  and 
the  enemy  found  himself  unable  to  break  them.  Accordingly,  while 
Clingman’s  and  Mahone’s  old  brigades  engaged  Wilcox  and  Craw- 
ford in  front.  General  Hill  employed  part  of  Colquitt’s  brigade  in 
driving  Bragg.  This  he  accomplished,  after  desperate  fighting,  and 
completely  flanked  the  right  of  Crawford’s  division,  cutting  off  and 
capturing  more  than  1,600  men. 

Meanwhile,  on  the  other  side  of  the  railroad,  Ayers,  Griffin,  and 
Cutler  were  attacked  by  Heth’s  troops.  The  picket  lines  were 
driven  in  impetuously,  and  the  advanced  intrenchments  were  taken. 
But,  on  reaching  the  main  line,  the  rebels  were  repulsed  with  great 
slaughter.  Hayes’  brigade  of  Ayers’  division  lost  heavily ; 500 
were  taken  prisoners  and  a largo  number  killed  and  wounded. 

In  the  crisis  of  tho  battle,  when  the  Union  right  center  was  dan- 
gerously broken,  reinforcements  arrived,  consisting  of  tho  first  and 
second  divisions  of  tho  ninth  corps.  Those  troops,  though  ex- 
hausted with  their  forced  march  over  wretched  roads,  were  hastily 
formed,  and  charging  upon  tho  'rebels,  completely  turned  them. 
While  the  ninth  corps  was  going  in,  the  contending  troops  on  the 
right  became  so  intermingled  and  involved  that  it  was  difficult  to 
distinguish  them.  The  Union  artillery,  therefore,  was  accidentally 
directed  against  both  combatants ; and,  mowing  down  friend  and 
foe  alike,  cleared  the  ground  with  its  murderous  fire. 

The  heavy  fire  from  the  batteries  and  the  timely  arrival  of  tho 
ninth  corps  decided  the  contest ; and  the  disordered  Federal  lines 
were  rallied  from  their  disastrous  confusion.  Night  had  fallen  be- 
fore the  conflict  ended.  Tho  Union  casualties,  though  somewhat 
uncertain,  were  estimated  at  from  3,500  to  4,000.  The  enemy 
claimed  a capture  of  2,700  prisoners  from  two  divisions  on  Friday, 


Weldon  Railroad,  near  Petersburg,  Va.  519 

and  3,100  as  tlie  spoils  of  the  two  days’  battle.  The  Union  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  on  Friday  was  about  1,600  : the  Confederate 
was  probably  as  great;  but  only  250  rebel  prisoners  were  taken. 

At  midnight  the  enemy  again  commenced  his  regular  shelling. 
For  several  nights  this  cannonade  had  been  carried  on,  his  batteries 
opening  all  along  the  lino  a terrific  fire,  and  engaging  the  Federal 
lino  in  a stormy  conllict  usually  lasting  till  dawn.  Saturday  morn- 
ing there  was  more  cannonading;  but  the  day  was  mainly  quiet,  it 
being  occupied  with  skirmishing  and  intrenching,  while  the  second 
corps  were  marching  to  the  support  of  the  fifth.  The  storm  of 
the  previous  day  made  the  roads  difficult  and  impeded  operations. 
About  midnight  of  Saturday,  heavy  cannonading  began  along  the 
line  and  continued  till  daybreak.  The  trenches  were  now  in  a 
wretched  condition,  filled  with  mud  and  water ; and  many  of  the 
pickets  preferred  the  chance  of  being  shot,  while  lying  beside  the 
pits,  to  so  uncomfortable  a shelte 

Sunday,  August  21st,  the  rebels  renewed  the  effort  to  drive  the 
Unionists  from  the  Weldon  Eailroad,  which  on  Friday  had  proved 
unsuccessful.  The  Union  line  remained  substantially  as  on  the 
former  day.  At  four  o’clock  a heavy  artillery  fire  was  opened,  first 
upon  the  left,  and  then  all  along  the  line,  as*far  as  the  Appomattox. 
About  seven,  a slight  feint  was  made  against  the  ninth  corps,  and 
two  hours  later  the  grand  attack  began.  The  rebel  column 
emerged  from  tlie  woods  in  fine  style,  and  dashed  across  the  open 
space  intervening  been  the  woods  and  breast-works.  At  the  same 
moment  a terrific  fire  of  solid  shot  and  shell  burst  from  all  their 
batteries,  answered  at  once  by  a dashing  outbreak  of  artillery  from 
their  opponents,  llie  enemy’s  flanking  column  on  the  left  of  the 
railroad  fell  upon  the  right  of  Ayers  and  the  left  of  Cutler.  The 
Federal  skirmishers  were  speedil}'  driven  in,  and  their  pits  taken. 
But,  on  sweeping  across  the  opening,  the  foe  was  received  with  a 
staggering  fire  of  musketry.  Again  and  again  they  pressed  for- 
ward, but  were  as  often  repulsed  with  fearful  slaughter.  On  the 
right,  they  did  not  succeed  in  reaching  the  main  works.  On  the 
left,  the  column  which  came  down  the  Vaughan  road  was  caught 
with  a cross-fire,  and  a part  of  one  brigade  threw  down  their  arms 
and  surrendered — those  who  attempted  escai)e  suffering  great  loss. 
The  repulse  of  this  brigade  decided  the  battle  in  this  direction ; and 
the  rebels  hastily  withdrew,  under  a withering  fire.  An  effort  to 
flank  the  Union  position  w'as  foiled  with  equal  promptness. 

The  main  battle  lasted  only  two  hours.  But  during  this  short 


620 


'[Veldon  Railroad^  ’near  Petersburg^  Fa. 

time,  it  was  one  of  the  most  vigorous  aud  sanguinary  of  the  cam- 
paign. The  victory  was  as  decided  as  tlio  contest  was  desperate, 
and  tlio  vanquislied  foe  admitted  a severe  rejmlse.  Their  loss  in 
hilled  and  wounded  was  1,200;  in  prisoners,  800;  making  a total  loss 
of  2,000.  The  entire  Union  loss  for  the  day  did  not  exceed  GOO. 

Early  Monday  morning  the  enemy  was  discovered  to  have  retired 
from  the  front  of  the  eighth  and  ninth  corps,  and  to  have  intrenched 
himself  about  three  miles  from  Petersburg.  The  Federal  skirmish- 
ers were  pushed  forward,  and  both  parties  labored  assiduously  in 
erecting  works,  the  picket  lines  frequently  skirmishing ; but  there 
was  no  general  engagement. 

Meantime  on  Sunday,  Monday,  and  Tuesday,  Gregg's  cavalry 
covered  the  destructive  work  of  the  infantry  near  Kearns,’ and  had 
several  sharp  skirmishes  with  the  rebels.  Late  in  the  afternoon  of 
Tuesday,  Gregg  was  attacked  by  the  enemy’s  cavalry  in  force,  and 
had  a spirited  skirmish,  at  the  close  of  which  tliey  retired  from 
ground.  On  Wednesday  morning,  the  demolishing  of  the  railroad 
was  continued,  aud  by  night-fall  the  work  of  destruction  was  com- 
plete from  a point  four  miles  from  Petersburg  down  to  two  miles 
below  Reains’toward  Weldon. 

KliAMS’  STATION. 

On  Thursday  morning,  the  26tb,  Gibbon’s  division  of  the  second 
corps,  moved  down  from  Reams  to  prosecute  the  destruction  of  the 
road.  About  a mile  below  the  station,  the  cavalry  advance,  which 
had  been  skirmi.shing  all  the  morning,  was  suddenly  checked  and 
driven  back  by  tlio  enemy’s  picket  line.  Smyth’s  brigade,  in  the 
infantry  advance,  was  at  once  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  pushed 
ahead,  the  cavalry  retiring  behind  them.  Smyth  easily  drove  back 
the  rebel  skirmish  line  some  distance ; but  at  length  came  upon  a 
stronger  force  of  the  foe,  and  was  in  his  turn  forced  back..  Gib- 
bon’s division  was  now  in  line  of  battle.  Before  noon,  the  enemy 
showed  himself  in  force  on  tlie  left  of  Gibbon,  and  made  toward 
his  rear.  But  the  movement  was  promptly  checked  by  a party  of 
Gregg’s  cavalry,  which  proceeded  hastily  to  the  spot,  and  drove  the 
enemy. 

A little  later  the  rebel  cavalry  appeared  on  the  Union  front;  and 
a sharp  encounter  took  place  between  them  and  Chapman’s  cavalry 
brigade,  which  resulted  in  checking  the  foe  at  that  point. 

But  while  Gibbon  was  actively  engaged,  the  rebel  General  Hill 
determined  to  attack  Barlow’s  division  at  Reams’Station,  a mile  to 
the  northward.  The  old  intrenchments  still  surrounded  the  station 


521 


Weldon  Mailroad,  near  Petersburg,  Fa- 
in semicircular  form,  covering  the  railroad  both  above  and  below. 
The  enemy  appeared,  soon  after  noon,  in  front  of  Miles  (then  in 
command  of  Barlow’s  division);  and  General  Hancock  immedi- 
ately ordered  Gibbon  to  fall  back  and  form  a junction  with  Miles’ 
left  to  protect  that  flank.  The  cavalry  followed  and  covered  the 
left  flank  and  rear.  At  two  o’clock,  the  rebel  demonstrations  cul- 
minated in  a grand  advance  of  his  skirmish  line,  wliich  swept  for- 
ward with  frantic  yells.  It  was  received  with  a combined  fire  of 
musketry  and  artillery  ; and  fell  back  in  confusion,  having  suffered 
far  more  loss  than  it  inflicted.  Sharp  skirmishing  now  began  on 
both  sides,  under  cover  of  which  the  contending  forces  arranged 
their  lines  and  fortified  them.  At  half-past  three  o’clock,  the 
enemy’s  column  was  prepared,  and  a heavy  and  close  line  of  battle 
emerged  from  the  woods,  and  with  fixed  bayonets  rushed  upon  the 
Federal  works.  A galling  fire  from  the  infantry^  and  from  four 
batteries  withered  their  ranks ; and,  though  they  advanced  to 
within  twenty  paces  of  the  works,  it  was  only  to  recoil,  broken,  to 
their  cover,  after  fearful  loss.  The  Union  loss  resulted  chiefly  from 
a musketry  fire  on  the  left,  which  was  fatal  to  men  and  horses  in 
the  batteries.  In  front  scarcely  a shot  was  fired  in  this  charge.  An 
hour  later  a third  assault  was  tried,  and  again  the  enemy  was  driven 
back  with  severe  loss. 

The  axes  of  the  enemy  were  now  plainly  audible,  chopping  down 
the  trees  for  the  -planting  of  batteries,  and  the  Federal  artillery 
threw  shells  in  the  direction  of  the  sound.  At  length,  all  being 
ready,  a tremendous  concentric  fire  was  opened  upon  the  Unionists, 
pouring  shell  and  solid  shot  in  the  greatest  profusion  and  without 
an  instant’s  cessation  into  their  circular  intrenchments.  For  twenty 
minutes  this  furious  shelling  w-as  kept  up,  with  a demoralizing,  as 
well  as  sanguinary,  result  to  the  Federal  line.  At  the  first  pause  in 
the  fire,  demoniac  yells  announced  the  fourth  assault  of  the  foe. 
lie  rushed  forward  in  great  numbers  and  with  fierce  impetuosity. 
Artillery  and  infantry  greeted  him  with  a hot  fire ; but,  in  spite 
of  the  most  daring  resistance,  he  gained  the  breast-works  after 
a bloody  hand-to-hand  contest,  and  broke  the  opposing  lines. 
The  center  having  given  way,  the  entire  line  at  this  point  was 
quickly  routed ; though  some  regiments  and  companies  remained 
fighting  witli  a determination  almost  unparalleled  in  the  war. 

On  this  last  attack  against  Miles,  a part  of  Gibbon’s  troops  were 
hurried  across  the  circle,  under  heavy  fire,  to  his  support,  a distance 
of  more  thali  a mile.  The  movement  was  gallantly  executed.  The 


522  Jonesboro*^  Lovejoy's  Station^  etc.,  Ga. 

enemy  wiis  repulsed  by  the  second  division,  though  at  a fearful  cost 
in  officers  and  men,  while  in  the  very  height  of  his  jubilant  enthu- 
siasm. General  Miles  also  handsomely  and  skillfully  rallied  his 
division,  and  the  lines  were  partially  restored.  But,  at  this  junc- 
ture, a fierce  attack  was  made  on  the  Union  left,  equaling  in  sever- 
ity that  of  "Wilcox  on  the  center.  Gibbon’s  troops  were  hurried 
back  across  the  fatal  open  space,  and  hurled  exhausted  against  the 
enemy.  Overcome  by  its  severe  exertions,  the  gallant  division  was 
borne  back  by  the  enemy’s  sheer  strength,  his  advance  being  re- 
sisted to  desperation  by  some  unconquerable  regiments,  which  were 
cut  to  pieces  on  the  ground  they  occupied.  General  Gregg,  how- 
ever, brought  his  dismounted  cavalry  to  the  assistance  of  the  wea- 
ried infantry,  and  the  enemy’s  farther  progress  was  stayed.  Soon 
after  dark,  Hancock  withdrew  his  troops,  leaving  Reams’  in  the 
hands  of  the  rebels.  Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  desperate  and 
obstinately  fought  battles  of  the  war.  In  this  conflict  the  Confed- 
erate troops  undoubtedly  outnumbered  those  of  the  Union.  Three 
divisions  constituted  the  assaulting  column  ; while  still  another 
division  is  said  to  have  been  in  support.  The  Unionists  lost  heav- 
ily: 2,030  prisoners,  including  eighty  officers,  seven  stands  of  colors, 
and  nine  cannon  were  captured  by  the  rebels.  Their  loss  in  killed 
and  wounded  was  estimated  at  1,000.  The  enemy’s  killed  and 
wounded  were  1,500.  The  battle  of  Reams’Station  resulted  in  giving 
the  enemy  possession  of  the  "Weldon  Railroad  up  as  far  as  Yellow 
Tavern.  Fully  eleven  miles  of  the  track,  however,  were  destroyed 
by  the  Unionists,  the  rails  bent  and  burnt  out  of  shape,  and  the  sills 
consumed  for  the  greater  part  of  the  way.  The  destroyed  section 
began  three  or  four  miles  below  Reams,’ and  extended  to  within 
three  miles  of  Petersburg.  The  crops  along  the  same  distance,  also, 
were  fed  to  men  and  horses,  and  the  fences  burned  with  the  sills  on 
the  road,  to  assist  its  destruction. 


JONESBORO’  LOVEJOY’S  STATION,  ETC.,  GA. 

(KILl*ATBlCK*tJ  RAID  AROUND  ATLANTA.) 

August  IS  to  22, 18C4. 

UnionifitSi  under  General  Kilpatrick  and  Colonel  Minty^  6,000.  Killed  and 
wounded,  314. 

Di  Ainioniats,  under  Generate  Itoee  and  Ferguson,  12,000.  Killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  1,000. 

At  one  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  August  18th,  General  Kil- 
patrick’s expedition,  numbering  about  5,000,  left  the  cavalry 


j HUGH  JUDSON  KILPATRICK, 

j Brevet  Major-Oen.  Yols.,  born  in  ihe  “ (Jlove,”  N.  J.,  in  T8'f8  ; graduatcJ  at 
I West  Point  in  May,  ISlil,  rirteenlh  in  his  chuss.  2(]-Jji(‘nt.  1st  Art.,  May  6, 

! 18G1  ; Ist-Lieut.,  May  14, 18(il ; wounded  in  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  June  11, 

j 1861  ; Lieut.-Col.  Harris  Light  Cavalry,  Sept.,  1861,  and  Inspector -Gen. 
; McDowell's  Division;  captured  Falmouth,  Va.,  and  routed  Lee's  cavalry, 
;■  March  9,  1862  ; regiment  acted  as  skirmishers  in  Pope’s  campaign  ; Col.  and 
' Acting  Brig.-Gen.  in  Stoneman's  Cavalry  Corps,  April,  1869 ; made  his 
famous  raid  toward  llichmond,  and  returned  by  Gloucester  Point;  distin- 
guished himself  in  the  cavalry  movement  of  June,  1863,  at  Brandy  vStation, 
I Beverly  Ford,  Aldie,  and  Upperville,  and  also  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg; 
i Brig.-Gen.  Yols.,  June  13,  1863,  and  commanded  a Cavalry  Division  under 
) Pleasonton  ; pursued  Lee,  after  Gettysburg,  fighting  .some  seven  cavalry  bat- 
tles ; commanded  in  the  actions  of  Brandy  Station  and  Buckland's  Mills,  Oct., 
j 1863  ; in  March,  1864,  made  a Sf’cond  raid  towards  Richmond,  in  the  hope  of 
; rescuing  the  Union  prisoners.  Onlered  to  report  to  Gen.  Sherman  in  April ; 
; took  part  in  the  tiret  movements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ; severely  wound- 
; cd  at  Resaca ; returned  to  his  command  in  Aug.,  1864,  and  made  a raid 
; around  the  enemy's  position  ; fought  at  Txivejoy's  Station,  Nov.  16  ; was  ])ut 
; in  command  of  Hhi'rmans  Cavalry  Cor])s,  Nov.,  1864;  fought  Wheeler's 
j Cavalry  near  liOvejoy's  Klalion  ; had  repeated  (iglils  with  Wheeler,  at  Gris- 
) wold  Station,  Nov.  19,  near  Wayne.slioro,  at  Brier  Creek,  &c.,  in  Savannah 
j campaign;  Jan.  14,  186.1,  BreVet  Major-Gen.;  was  in  command  of  Cavalry 

1)  Corps  in  Carolina  campaign  ; had  a defeat  and  victory  at  Solomon's  Grove; 
j fought  at  Avery.sboro,  and  was  active  to  the  close  of  Sherman's  campaign  ; 
I in  July,  1865,  in  command  of  the  District  of  North  Carolina. 


525 


Jonesboro' , Ziovejoy's  Station^  etc.,  Ga. 

encampment  on  the  left  of  the  Union  line  for  the  rendezvous  of  the 
expedition  at  Sandtown,  where  it  arrived  at  six  a.m.,  accompanied 
by  two  sections  of  a battery.  Colonel  Minty,  the  ranking  officer, 
broke  camp  and  made  Sandtown  under  cover  of  darkness,  to  pre- 
vent the  enemy’s  learning  of  the  movements,  lie  immediately 
reported  to  Kilpatrick  and  received  orders. 

As  soon  as  the  mantle  of  night  shrouded  the  forest,  the  whole 
command  leaped  into  their  saddles  and  boldly  marched  upon  the 
"West  Point  Eailroad,  skirmishing  all  the  way  till  they  reached  their 
immediate  destination.  While  Kilpatrick’s  force  was  crossing  the 
railroad,  the  rebels  struck  the  column  on  the  left  flank  with  artil- 
lery and  dismounted  cavalry,  inflicting  such  a blow  that  a regiment 
was  literally  cut  in  two.  Some  temj)orary  confusion  ensued ; but 
they  quickly  re-formed,  and,  su[)portcd  by  another  regiment,  made  a 
vigorous  and  irresistible  attack  upon  the  foe,  who  retreated  in 
disorder. 

General  Kilpatrick,  learning  that  the  third  division  was  detained 
by  the  rebel  General  Ross,  who  with  a large  force  was  falling  slowly 
back,  contesting  every  inch  of  ground,  ordered  two  brigades  under 
Minty  and  Long  to  the  front.  They  skirmished  with  aud  grad- 
ually drove  the  enemy  to  Flint  River.  At  this  point,  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  bridge  and  the  depth  of  the  water  were  serious  impedi- 
ments to  the  advance  of  tlie  Union  column.  The  rebel  cavalry 
presented  a bold  front  on  the  east  bank  of  the  stream,  and  with 
artillery  disputed  its  crossing.  General  Kilpatrick  ordered  all  his 
artillery  into  position,  and  soon  silenced  the  enemy’s  battery.  The 
Union  artillery  then  began  to  throw  destructive  volleys  of  grape 
and  canister  into  the  rebel  rifle-pits  ; aud  instantly  the  men  rushed 
forward,  upon  the  double-quick,  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  where  a 
deadly  fire  was  poured  into  the  enemy  at  short  range,  dislodging 
their  sharp-shooters.  The  column  at  once  effected  a crossing. 
Colonel  klinty  immediately  advanced  with  his  brigade  on  Jonc.s- 
boro’,  driving  the  rebels  before  him  into  the  town,  from  which  they 
retreated  in  confusion.  The  possession  of  the  place  being  reported 
to  the  commanding  general,  the  third  division  was  quickly  brought 
up  ; and  then  commenced  the  w'ork  of  destruction.  Tlie  men  went 
to  work  with  a will,  applying  the  torch  to  several  buildings ; while 
details  from  the  command  tore  up  and  burned  three  miles  of  the 
Macon  Railroad.  A brisk  wind  springing  up,  tlie  town  was  soon 
enveloped  in  flames,  and  over  two  thirds  of  it  reduced  to  ashes. 

The  enemy  were  reinforced  by  one  infantry  brigade,  while  the 


526 


Joneshoro\  hovcjuy's  Station^  etc..,  Ga. 


town  was  being  razed,  and  took  positiofi  iininediately  soutli  of  tlio 
Union  forces,  intrenching  themselves  by  felling  timber.  As  Kil- 
patrick's object  was  to  destroy  the  railway,  the  same  night  ho 
marched  direct  for  Lovejoy’s  Station.  The  enemy,  discovering  his 
flight  from  Jonesboro’,  started  in  pursuit  with  their  cavalry.  About 
a mile  from  the  station  the  main  column  encountered  the  enemy’s 
mounted  pickets,  which  were  driven  by  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania 
in  fine  style.  Skirmishing  eontinued  with  the  rebels ; and  when 
they  wei-e  within  a quarter  of  mile  of  the  station,  a report  was  re- 
ceived tliatone  brigade  luul  struck  the  railroad.  The  Union  troo[)3 
j)ushed  forward  rapidly  and  at  once  received  a fire  from  the  enemy; 
when  a battalion  of  the  Fourth  United  States  were  dismounted  and 
deployed,  and  brought  up  to  the  support  of  the  brigade  engaged  in 
tearing  up  the  track.  Their  line  was  scarcely  formed  when  a rebel 
infantry  brigade,  which  was  lying  in  ambush,  poured  a terrible  vol- 
ley into  the  ranks  of  the  working  party,  and  with  a frantic  yell 
that  made  the  forests  ring,  rushed  madly  over  the  track-burners, 
killing,  wounding,  and  taking  prisoners  nearly  the  entire  detachment. 

Long’s  brigade  was  quickly  formed,  the  artillery  placed  in  posi- 
tion, and  the  rebels  speedily  repulsed  with  lieavy  loss.  Scarcely 
had  the  roar  of  artillery  and  the  sharp  crack  of  musketry  died 
away,  as  the  rebels  fell  back,  broken  and  demoralized,  when  a 
new  danger  presented  itself.  A whole  division  of  the  enemy’s 
cavalry,  accompanied  by  two  pieces  of  artillery,  were  seen  coming 
down  on  the  run.  Ere  Kilpatrick  had  time  to  comprehend  the 
movement,  a spirited  attack  was  made  upon  the  rear.  Minty’s  bri- 
gade was  instantly  withdrawn,  and  formed  on  the  right,  in  line  of 
regimental  column.  AVhile  the  several  regiments  were  making 
ready  to  meet  the  onslaught  of  the  foe,  the  rebels  swept  down 
u[)ou  them.  The  Unionists  had  barely  time  to  appreciate  the 
magnitude  of  the  impending  danger.  The  rebels  loomed  up  on 
every  side,  the  Federal  troops  were  conqdetely  surrounded,  and 
their  only  hope  of  safety  was  in  cutting  their  way  out.  Visions 
of  famine  and  the  horrors  of  Libby  Prison  flitted  before  them  atid 
urged  them  to  the  deadly  strife.  The  gallant  and  fearless  ilinty, 
placing  himself  at  the  head  of  his  brigade,  drew  his  saber,  and  in 
clear  ringing  tones  gave  the  word  of  command,  and  away  sped  the 
bold  dragoons  across  the  valley.  Fences  were  jumped,  ditches 
fearlessly  leaped.  Charging  for  their  lives  and  shouting  like  mad- 
men, the  general  and  his  troopers  encountered  the  rebels  behind  a 
hastily  erected  barricade.  Pressing  their  rowels  deep  into  their 


527 


* 


I 


Summit  Pointy  Vcu 


horses’  flanks  and  brandishing  their  sabers,  they  dashed  on  nearer 
and  nearer  the  foe.  Terror-stricken,  tlie  rebels  reel  before  the 
rushing  torrent  of  men  that  tlireatens  destruction.  They  break  and 
run;  dire  confusion  quickly  follows.  The  yells  of  tlie  horsemen 
were  lost  in  the  sharp  clashing  of  the  steel  and  the  piteous  moans 
of  the  dying.  Minty’s  command  still  pressed  forward,  their  sabers 
striking  right  and  left,  ciitting  down  everything  in  tlicir  ])alhway. 
The  rebel  horsemen  reeled,  and  dashed  headlong  upon  the  ground ; 
while  their  frightened  steeds  ruslicd  over  their  lifeless  bodies. 
Many  of  them  fought  with  almost  superhuman  strengtii ; but  the 
charge  was  irresistible.  The  carnage  was  fearful ; 100  of  the 
enemy  fell  under  the  keen  sabers  of  the  assaulting  brigade. 

Leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field,  preparations  were 
made  for  the  return.  The  night  of  the  20th  was  consumed  in 
marching  through  the  rain  and  darkness,  and  at  one  a.m.  the  fol- 
lowing morning  Cotton  River  was  reached  and  crossed.  The  ex- 
hausted men  and  animals  bivouacked  till  daybreak,  when  they  again 
moved  forward,  encountering  no  opposition.  At  si.x  a.m.  the  ad- 
vance reached  South  River,  and  found  the  bridge  destroyed  and  the 
river  flooded  by  recent  rains.  The  entire  column  swam  the  stream, 
with  small  loss,  and  arrived  at  Lithonia  that  evening,  where  they 
obtained  the  first  niglit’s  rest.  The  following  day  they  returned  to 
camp.  During  the  first  three  days  and  nights  no  oflicer  nor  private 
liad  an  hour’s  sleep.  Rrom  the  time  the  command  set  out  on  the 
18th,  until  it  returned  on  the  night  of  the  22d  to  the  point  from 
which  it  started,  the  men  partook  of  but  three  meals.  The  horses 
subsisted  on  the  country.  The  raid,  though  not  completely  suc- 
cessful, must  bo  considered  a brilliant  one,  considering  that  6,000 
of  the  Federal  troops  accomplished  extensive  destruction,  and 
effected  their  escape,  although  surrounded  by  about  12,000  rebels. 
The  total  Union  loss  was  314.  The  rebel  loss  did  not  fall  short 
of  1,000. 


SUMMIT  POINT,  VA. 

Adgust  21,  1864. 

VnionifiU^  under  Otneral  Sheridan^  not  far  from  20,000.  Total  lofiS^  about  900. 
Pisunionifitst^  under  General  Early^  numbers  not  reported.  Losses^  not  reported. 

On  Sunday,  August  21st,  Sheridan  succeeded  in  bringing  his 
troops  into  a very  advantageous  position  about  two  miles  from 
Charlestown,  near  Summit  Point,  the  sixth  cor[)s  holding  the  right. 


528. 


Dalton,  Ga. 


the  eighth  the  center,  and  the  nineteenth  the  left.  About  eiglit 
o’clock  in  tlie  morning,  Early  advanced  on  his  road  to  Martinsbnrg, 
and  with  a part  of  his  columns  attacked  the  advanced  cavalry  skir- 
mishers on  the  right  and  left,  easily  driving  them  in.  Ilis  main 
body  moved  across  the  Union  right;  but  with  a small  force  he 
drove  back  Wilson’s  cavalry  division  from  its  well-chosen  position 
on  Summit  Point  with  heavy  loss.  A single  brigade  was  reported  to 
have  lost  300  men  and  officers.  Soon  after,  the  cavalry  being 
routed,  the  enemy  threw  a few  brigades  against  the  sixth  corps 
and  the  right  of  the  eighth,  under  a heavy  lire  of  shells. 

'I'he  cavalry  meanwhile  had  fallen  back  through  Charlestown  and 
beyond  the  town,  except  a part  which  escaped  on  the  extreme  left 
of  the  nineteenth  corps,  and  dismounting  threw  up  breast-works. 
But  the  fighting  which  ensued  was  all  on  the,  right,  and  continued 
from  morning  till  night,  'i'he  sixth  corps  .steadily  advanced,  and 
drove  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  back  ; until  they  came  upon  the  rebel 
line  of  battle.  Then,  at  night-fall,  they  retired  to  their  original 
position,  after  heavy  skirmishing  all  day.  Cannonading  was  kept 
up  still  later.  The  casualties  in  the  sixth  corps  wore  numerous; 
the  second  division  lost  about  400  officers  and  men.  The  enemy’s 
loss  was  much  smaller. 

The  battle  produced  on  the  part  of  the  Unionists  one  more  re- 
treat to  Bolivar  Heights.  At  ten  o’clock  the  troops  began  to  pass 
through  Charlestown;  and  the  scene  as  the  different  columns  pushed 
on,  by  the  struggling  moonlight,  was  weird  and  exciting.  Infan- 
try pressing  forward,  artillery  rumbling  by,  and  cavalry  clattering 
on,  the  glistening  of  musket  barrels,  the  dark  and  ghost-like  can- 
non, and  the  white-topped  ambulances,  all  combined  to  make  a 
spectacle  of  thrilling  interest  and  grandeur. 


DALTON,  GA. 

AironsT  24,  1864. 

Unionists,  sinde.r  Colonel  Siehnld,  800-  Total  loss,  80. 

Ztisunionists,  under  General  Wlteeler,  5,000.  Total  loss,  150. 

August  24th,  the  rebel  General  Wheeler,  with  a force  of  1,700 
cavalrymen  and  3,300  infantry,  approached  Dalton,  Ga.,  and  de- 
manded an  immediate  and  unconditional  surrender  of  the  place. 
Colonel  Siebold,  of  the  Second  Missouri,  commanding.  The  Union 
garrison  at  the  post  numbered  800. 


529 


Jonesboro'  and  Atlanta^  Ga. 

Colonel  Siebold  responded  in  the  following  laconic  terms : “ I 
am  placed  here  to  defend  the  post,  not  to  surrender  it.”  The  rebels 
outnumbered  the  Unionists  ten  to  one,  and  the  latter  sought  pro- 
tection in  their  earth- works  and  a large  brick  building.  The  invad- 
ers swarmed  into  the  town  ; but  were  gallantly  kept  at  bay  by  the 
garrison,  who  from  their  intrenchments  mowed  down  the  enemy 
in  great  numbers.  On  the  day  following  the  attack.  General 
Steedman  arrived  with  reinforcements.  A brisk  skirmish  at  once 
commenced,  and  the  garrison  rallied  out  of  their  works.  At  this 
juncture,  the  Fourteenth  United  States  (colored)  Infantry,  Colonel 
Morgan  commanding,  were  ordered  to  charge.  "With  a ringing 
cheer  and  an  impetuous  rush,  they  dashed  madly  upon  the  rebels, 
who  broke  and  fled  precipitately.  The  enemy  lost  150  men  in  the 
two  days’  engagement.  The  Union  loss  did  not  exceed  thirty. 


JONESBOEO’  AND  ATLANTA,  GA. 

Avgtjbt  30  TO  Septembbe  1, 1864. 

JJnionist^^  undtr  General  Sherman^  nearly  100.000.  Lossefi^  not  reported, 
DisunionUift^  under  Generals  Hood  and  Tlardee^  probably  over  60,000  {including 
State  militia).  Killed.,from  400  to  500  ; tcounded^  nearly  2,600  ; prisoners^  2,000. 

Genkrai.  Sherman,  being  at  length  well  established  with  his 
victorious  army  in  the  vicinity  of  Atlanta — yet  having  failed  in 
his  attempts  to  sever  the  rebel  communications  with  the  city,  by 
cavalry  raids — found  his  force  too  much  reduced  by  the  casualties 
of  war  to  invest  so  formidable  a stronghold,  or  to  allow  of  his  de- 
taching one  of  those  flanking  columns  which,  under  the  skillful 
lend  of  McPherson,  had  so  often  secured  a comparatively  bloodless 
success.  But  his  extremity  proved  his  opportunity. 

Encouraged  by  the  ill  success  of  Kilpatrick’s  raid.  Hood  had 
ceased  to  concern  himself  about  his  communications  with  the 
south ; and  was  persuaded  into  the  mistake  of  sending  off  his 
cavalry,  under  Wheeler,  to  raid  on  Sherman’s  rear. 

Thus  deprived  of  the  means  for  successful  reconnoissance,  he 
was  prepared  to  fall  into  that  error  in  regard  to  the  nature  of  Gen- 
eral Sherman’s  movements  which  subsequently  proved  fatal  to  him. 
The  latter,  availing  himself  of  so  favorable  a juncture,  determined 
upon  the  hazardous  expedient  of  cutting  loose  from  his  commu- 
nications, and  throwing  himself  in  the  rear  of  Hood’s  army.  As 
was  anticipated,  the  withdrawal  of  his  troops  toward  the  Chat- 


530 


Jonesboro'  and  Atlanta^  Ga. 


tahoocliee,  for  tlie  march  around  tho  riglit  flank,  was  hastily 
accepted  as  a final  retreat.  Atlanta,  tlierefore,  was  rejoicing  over 
its  supposed  deliverance  from  danger,  while  the  Union  army  was 
engaged  in  the  movement  which  compassed  its  fall. 

Preparations  for  this  bold  strategy  had  been  some  time  in  pro- 
gress; and  as  early  ns  the  18th  of  August,  General  Sherman  had 
put  his  army  in  light  marching  order,  with  fifteen  days’  rations ; 
but  the  march  was  postponed  in  order  to  mislead  the  enemy  as  to  his 
intentions.  Meanwhile  transportation  was  reduced  to  3,000  wagons 
and  about  1,000  ambulances,  the  rest  being  moved  to  tho  rear  on 
the  24th  and  26th  of  August.  The  movements  of  the  latter  gave 
color  to  the  impression  which  tho  enemy  had  before  received,  that 
Sherman  was  about  retreating.  To  encourage  this  idea  as  far  as 
possible,  the  subsequent  march  of  the  Federal  troops  was  directed 
first  toward  Sandtown,  on  tho  Chattahoochee,  as  if  to  cro.ss  the  river. 

Each  corps,  in  withdrawing,  moved  to  the  rear  of  those  on  tho 
right,  which  maintained  a bold  front  against  any  attack  of  the 
enemy,  and  held  their  ground  as  long  as  desired.  By  the  28th  tho 
whole  army  was  fairly  in  motion,  and  was  marching  across  the  West 
Point  Railroad  (which  was  destroyed  from  Red  Oak  to  Fairburu) 
toward  the  Macon  Railroad. 

August  30th,  the  fourth  and  twenty-third  corps  struck  the 
Macon  lino  about  five  miles  beyond  East  Point  Junction.  Mean- 
time the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  were 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy  on  tho  Union  right,  driving  them 
across  Flint  River  toward  Jonesboro’.  Ilazen’s  division  of  tho 
fifteenth  corps  took  possession  of  a prominent  hill,  which  was  on 
the  way  to  the  enemy’s  position.  The  other  divisions  formed  on 
his  right  and  left.  The  fifteenth  spent  the  night  intrenching;  and 
next  day,  before  the  right  and  left  flanks  had  taken  up  their  ad- 
vanced position,  the  enemy  burst  in  masses  upon  it.  They  were 
steadily  and  resolutely  met,  their  repeated  assaults  being  repulsed 
with  a heavy  loss  in  officers,  besides  rank  and  file  killed,  wounded, 
and  captured.  Tho  Unionists  fought  behind  intrenchments,  and 
their  casualties  were  trifling. 

Tho  following  day,  August  31st,  tho  fourteenth  corps  marched 
along  tho  Macon  line,  destroyed  the  track  for  several  miles,  and 
about  four  o’clock  took  up  position  on  tho  left  of  the  fourth  corps 
which  had  formed  in  line  of  battle. 

During  the  night  of  August  31st,  General  Uardee  dispatched 
Lee’s  corps  to  look  after  the  safety  of  Atlanta ; so  that  but  one  rebel 


rtH'n'tn/  f,>  V y-  '"i/‘ 

CEN*^  SHERMAN'S  CAM^ICW' 

yrithrrCerrtiiT  l,t  . Jj  J I I <•. 

I ^ liiiMlcs  5Iurmislir.sA  <l<  (V-iisiv<'^j  J lS~ 

I I <Hi  ili»’  nn.l^fi-^nn.VbiiT^-N-infltiiiiir.f  Kiir^-sltQ^ 

AJ-LAPfTA.  # \ 

[ IE\I  n.I',S  of  DALLAS,  f /’///////A  ^ ' 

IL\TTl.i;S  .4  LOST  M-  PINE  M’!  *nu  KLNLSAW  M 
llfduil  .(•■  r,l  liri  lljll.l.(n/l.{(  " \ )' 


-533 


\ 

Jonesboro'  and  Atlanta^  Ga. 


corps  was  opposed  to  the  Union  army.  This  corps  lay  in  position 
in  front  of  Jonesboro’,  with  its  right  resting  on  the  railroad.  Hav- 
ing failed  in  the  assault  with  which  they  hoped  to  drive  back  the 
Federal  troops,  they  were  prepared  to  resist  their  farther  advance 
in  the  best  position  they  could  secure.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  Gen- 
eral Davis,  of  the  fourteenth  corps,  formed  his  command  for  a charge 
on  the  rebel  position — the  first  division  on  the  left,  and  the  second 
joining  the  fifteenth  corps  on  the  right,  General  Baird  being  in 
reserve.  In  the  face  of  a deadly  fire  of  musketry,  shell,  and  can- 
ister, the  gallant  fourteenth  corps  charged  upon  the  enemy’s  posi- 
tion; driving  them  from  their  breast-works  and  capturing  many 
prisoners,  including  several  colonels  and  other  commissioned  offi- 
cers. Eight  guns  were  also  taken.  The  troops  captured  belonged 
to  the  fighting  division  of  Cleburn.  Tho  approach  of  night  pre- 
vented the  pursuit  of  the  broken  columns  of  the  foe,  who  escaped 
under  cover  of  darkness. 

At  daybreak  on  the  2d,  the  fourth  and  twenty-third  corps  ad- 
vanced in  search  of  the  retreating  enemy,  wlv)  came  to  bay  near 
Lovejoy’s  Station,  six  miles  beyond  Jonesboro’,  toward  Macon — 
taking  position  on  a wooded  ridge  behind  a swamp  bordering  a 
creek.  Skirmishing  with  the  enemy’s  first  line  continued  till  night, 
which  the  Unionists  spent  in  intrenching.  Tho  foe  being  found  in 
strong  position,  and  his  retreat  being  assured,  no  farther  advance 
was  attomi)ted. 

Meantime  Atlanta  was  alive  with  excitement.  Despair  had  suc- 
ceeded confidence  as  it  became  known  thatUardee  had  been  driven 
from  Jonesboro’  south,  while  Hood  was  left  in  Atlanta  with  his 
communications  severed,  and,  Sherman’s  army  was  threatening 
from  the  north  and  south.  Early  on  Thursday,  September  1st,  the 
removal  of  supplies  and  ammunition  commenced,  and  was  continued 
through  the  day.  Large  quantities  of  food  that  could  not  be  re- 
moved w'ere  distributed  to  citizens,  tho  store-houses  at  the  same 
time  being  opened  to  troops  as  they  passed  through  the  city.  The 
rolling  stock  of  the  railroad,  consisting  of  abont  one  hundred  cars 
and  six  engines,  was  gathered  together  and  destroyed.  The  cars 
were  laden  with  the  surplus  ammunition,  taken  out  on  the  Augusta 
Eailroad,  and  set  oh  fire  and  blown  up,  making  the  earth  tremble 
with  the  explosion.  Over  one  thousand  bales  of  cotton  were  also 
given  to  the  ilames. 

The  explosion  of  ammunition  was  heard  by  General  Slocum,  of 
the  twentieth  corps,  seven  miles  distant.  Suspecting  the  cause,  ha 

27 


534  Sycamore  Church,  Belcher'' s Mill,  etc.,  Va. 


sent  out  a heavy  column  to  reconnoiter  at  daybreak  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  2d.  Meeting  with  no  opposition,  they  pushed  forward 
on  the  roads  leading  to  Atlanta.  Arriving  near  the  city,  they  wero 
met  by  the  Mayor,  who  made  a formal  surrender  of  the  place.  The 
fonnalities  concluded,  they  entered  the  city  with  banners  flying 
and  music  playing,  the  inhabitants  looking  on  in  silence.  General 
Slocum  immediately  established  his  headquarters  at  the  principal 
hotel.  Eleven  heavy  guns  were  found  in  tlie  forts  of  the  city,  and 
others  were  subsequently  discovered  buried  in  the  ground.  About 
three  thousand  muskets  and  three  locomotives  were  secured,  besides 
large  quantities  of  tobacco. 

Two  hundred  rebel  stragglers  were  gathered  up  by  the  Second 
Massachusetts,  which  was  detailed  for  provost  duty.  All  civilians 
remaining  in  the  city  were  peremptorily  ordered  to  leave  by  Gen- 
eral Sherman.  Those  who  desired  were  furnished  with  transpor- 
tation north,  and  the  others  were  sent  into  tlie  rebel  lines,  a truce 
of  ten  days  being  arranged  for  this  purpose. 

On  the  second  day  of  autumn,  after  an  arduous  campaign  of  four 
months,  Atlanta,  the  territorial  key  of  the  Confederacy,  had  dropped 
from  the  enemy’s  grasp.  The  fall  of  this  rebel  stronghold  was,  in 
a military  sense,  the  loss  of  Georgia,  and  in  effect  inclosed  the  re- 
bellion mainly  within  the  narrow  limits  of  the  Carolinas  and 
southern  Virginia.  When  Chattanooga  was  taken,  the  first  center 
of  the  great  railway  intercommunications  which  held  the  rebellion 
together  in  military  coherence  was  transferred  to  loyal  possession 
and  control ; with  Atlanta  fell  tlie  second,  and  practically  the  last 
hope  of  maintaining  the  integrity  of  that  rebellious  empire. 

The  loss  of  the  government  works  at  this  post  was  also  a severe 
blow  to  the  enemy,  and  greatly  weakened  their  military  strength. 


SYCAMORE  CHURCH,  BELCHER’S  MILL,  ETC.,  VA. 

(mampton’s  raid.) 

September  16,  1864. 

VnionUU^  under  Qenerals  Gregg  and  Kaxitz.  Total  losiy  110. 
DisunioniatSy  under  General  Hampton.  Total  losSy  90. 

On  Friday,  the  16th  of  September,  occurred  one  of  the  most 
daring  and  successful  raids  of  the  campaign  then  in  progress  in 
Virginia.  At  daybreak  the  rebel  General  Hampton,  with  Fitz 
Hugh  Lee’s  cavalry  division,  Rosser’s  and  Deering’s  brigades,  and 


535 


Opequan  Creek^  Fa. 

two  batteries,  appeared  in  tbe  rear  of  the  Union  center  east  of 
Petersburg,  Laving  marched  in  two  days  entirely  round  the  left 
from  Reams  Station.  His  object  was  to  seize  a herd  of  2,500  cat- 
tle which  were  at  Sycamore  Church,  near  Coggin's  Point,  a mile 
south  of  the  James  River.  Spear’s  brigade  of  Kautz’s  cavalry  was 
picketing  at  the  point  attacked. 

The  enemy  rushed  upon  two  regiments,  completely  surprising 
them,  driving  in  the  i)ickcts,  and  stampeding  the  trooj)S  almost 
without  resistance.  One  of  the  regiments  was  captured  with  all 
its  horses,  its  sixteen-shooting  rifles,  equipments,  wagons,  and  camp. 
The  other,  acting  as  immediate  guard  for  the  cattle,  was  badly 
handled,  and  partially  captured.  "While  Deering  surprised  the  cat- 
tle and  their  guard,  Rosser  carried  the  position  at  Sycamore  Church. 
Lee  also  attacked  the  brigade  under  Spear,  but  retired  as  soon  as 
the  feints  had  been  successful  and  the  cattle  secured.  Gregg’s  and 
Kautz's  cavalry  divisions  were  at  once  started  in  pursuit,  and  over- 
took Hampton’s  command  at  Belcher’s  Mill,  on  the  Jerusalem 
plank-road.  The  Union  forces  were  quickly  repulsed,  and  the  enemy 
pursued  his  retreat  at  leisure. 

Simultaneously  with  Hampton’s  attack,  and  to  cover  it,  the  en- 
tire skirmish  line  of  the  fifth  corps  was  driven  into  their  intrench- 
ments,  the  rebels  claiming  to  have  taken  ninety  prisoners.  Hamp- 
ton’s bold  maneuver  secured  several  weeks’  supply  of  beef,  besides 
other  important  captures  of  men,  horses,  and  equipments,  mules 
and  wagons.  General  Lee  stated  his  total  loss  to  be  fifty  men. 


OPEQUAlf  CREEK,  OR  WINCHESTER,  VA. 

Septrmbbr  19,  1864. 

UnionuUy  under  General  Sheridan^  nearly  40,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  3,000  to 

4.000.  • 
VieunionUU^  under  General  Early.  Killed^  500;  wounded^  4,000 ; 

8.000. 

General  Sheridan  having  learned  on  the  IStli  of  the  encamp-, 
ment  of  Early’s  command  in  the  vicinity  of  Bunker  Hilt  and  Ste- 
phenson’s depot,  resolved  to  mass  his  forces  on  the  Berryville  and 
"Winchester  pike,  and  by  a rapid  movement  hurl  them  on  Early’s 
rear.  While  the  different  columns  were  gathering  at  the  place  of 
rendezvous,  a body  of  cavalry  under  Generals  Torbert  and  Averill 
maintained  a strong  picket  line  along  the  Opequan,  and  by  demon- 
strating in  force  at  Borns’  Ford,  kept  a large  portion  of  the  enemy 


536  Opequan  Creelc^  Va. 

at  tliat  part  of  tlie  field.  Thia  point  was  nearly  twelve  miles  dis- 
tant from  the  front,  where  it  was  intended  that  the  infantry  should 
operate,  and-strike  a blow  which  should  result  in  the  signal  defeat 
of  Early’s  army. 

The  delay  in  the  arrival  of  the  nineteenth  corps,  however,  en- 
enabled  the  rebel  general  to  move  Gordon’s  division  at  double- 
quick  from  Bunker  Hill,  ten  miles  distant,  and  bring  it  up  in  time 
to  form  a line  of  battle  with  Breckinridge’s,  Ramseur's,  and  Rhodes’ 
commands,  which  had  already  arrived  and  were  posted  in  a belt 
of  woods  skirting  Berryville  and  Winchester.  As  soon  as  the 
nineteenth  came  up,  they  wheeled  into  line  and  made  ready  for 
the  conflict.  The  long  expected  signal  was  given.  At  twelve 
o’clock  the  Union  troops  moved  forward,  and  delivered  their  fire 
upon  the  enemy.  For  a few  seconds  the  gleaming  line  of  bayonets 
vibrated  before  they  entered  the  wood,  and  were  lost  to  view  in  the 
shadow  and  smoke  of  battle.  The  rebels,  receiving  a severe  and 
continuous  volley,  responded  vigorously  at  first ; but  were  forced 
to  retire  slowly  before  the  attack.  As  the  opposing  lines  drew 
near  each  other,  the  roar  of  combat  grew  deafening.  The  hollow 
ring  of  musketry  in  the  forest  was  like  the  fierce  clangor  of  the 
Wilderness.  The  artillery  opened  simultaneously  on  both  sides  • 
and  the  deadly  missiles,  bursting  high  in  air,  spread  abroad  fearful 
havoc,  with  confusion,  and  dismay. 

The  quickness  and  precision  of  the  enemy’s  cannonade  were 
almost  appalling.  Their  guns  never  knew  a moment’s  rest;  a per- 
fect tempest  of  shells  fell  on  every  portion  of  the  Federal  line,  still 
the  martyr-heroes  pressed  on  with  ardor  unchecked  and  courage 
unabated.  A determination  to  win  the  day  inspired  every  heart, 
and  nerved  the  arm  for  valorous  deeds.  Certain  parts  of  the  line, 
led  forward  by  a stubborn  will  to  conquer,  pressed  on  in  advance 
of  the  main  body.  General  Birge’s  brigade  rushed  so  impetuously 
to  the  charge  as  almost  to  isolate  itself  from  its  division.  The  foe, 
quickly  perceiving  the  temerity  of  the  gallant  brigade,  charged  in 
turn,  threatening  it  on  the  flank,  and  forced  it  to  retire.  Still  ad- 
vancing in  overwhelming  force  at  this  point,  the  enemy  pushed 
back  and  covered  with  confusion  another  brigade  of  the  supporting 
division,  the  entire  left  of  which  subsequently  gave  way. 

A battery  hitherto  uncovered  was  opened  on  the  flying  troops, 
and  the  shells  tearing  madly  through  the  broken  columns  of  Grover 
completed  their  demoralization.  The  entire  rebel  infantry  line, 
inspired  with  new  courage,  charged  fiercely  upon  the  Unionists, 


Opcqxian  CrecJc,  Va. 


537 


pouring  in  severe  and  rapid  volleys  upon  this  vrcak  point.  Their 
troops  continued  on  the  double-quick,  firing  and  filing  past  and 
almost  turning  the  right  of  the  sixth  corps  in  the  pursuit  of  Grover’s 
command.  The  moment  was  a fearful  one.  Reckless  of  whistling 
bullets  and  shrieking  shells,  the  enemy  constantly  advanced.  A 
Union  battery  posted  in  their  immediate  front  rained  a tempest  of 
fiery  missiles  upon  the  rebel  columns  to  the  very  last.  Though 
ordered  to  the  rear  to  save  it  from  capture,  it  still  maintained  its 
fire.  The  men  of  the  battery,  loading  and  firing  with  the  precision 
of  a field  day,  continued  their  work  in  the  face  of  the  foe,  who  ad- 
vanced within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  muzzles  of  the  guns. 
General  Ricketts’  division,  heavily  pressed  on  the  flank,  gradually 
broke  and  commenced  falling  back.  A division  on  the  left  partially 
fell  back  likewise.  General  Ricketts  saw  the  danger  in  advance  of 
his  columns  wavering,  and  sent  a regiment  to  his  right  flank,  wliich 
formed  in  right  angles  with  his  main  line,  temporarily  protecting  it. 
General  Wright,  in  command  of  the  forces,  acted  with  equal 
promptness.  Though  early  in  the  day,  the  reserves  were  at  once 
employed.  Fresh  troops,  pressing  forward,  sent  their  bullets 
crashing  into  the  rebel  hordes,  checking  and  astonishing  them. 
The  broken  lines  in  the  center  were  quickly  re-formed,  and  a charge 
was  made  upon  the  enemy — a charge  so  fearful  that  it  threatened 
to  overwhelm  all  that  opposed  it. 

The  assault  made  by  General  Upton’s  brigade  was  the  grandest 
spectacle  in  the  infantry  battle  of  the  day.  Its  young  but  laureled 
commander  rode  at  the  head  of  his  lines,  and  holding  aloft  his  glit- 
tering sword  called  his  men  to  follow.  They  went  into  the  deadly 
strife  with  a wild  cheer  that  prophesied  the  event  to  come.  Solid, 
straight,  and  strong,  its  two  lines  moved  onward,  out  of  the  woods 
and  into  the  field  of  action.  The  rebel  advance  was  an  advance 
no  longer.  The  rout  was  turned.  Back  over  the  fences,  into  the 
ravines,  and  still  beyond,  through  the  woods,  and  yet  farther,  their, 
broken  lines  were  mercilessly  driven. 

Tlie  conflict  now  ceased  for  a time,  and  the  main  lines  of  the 
Union  army  were  again  re-formed  preparatory  to  a second  attack. 
The  nineteenth  corps  was  held  in  reserve,  the  sixth  corps  and  the 
Army  of  Western  Virginia,  which  were  posted  on  the  left,  were 
ordered  to  advance  simultaneously  and  drive  the  foe  from  their 
position. 

During  all  this  time  the  cavalry  had  not  been  inactive.  Generals 
Merritt  and  Averill,  who  had  both  been  pushing  the  rebel  cavalry 


633  Opequan  Credit  Va. 

from  tlio  Opeqnan,  had  efTectcd  a junction  on  tlio  Winchester  and 
Martinsburg  pike,  and  were  driving  tliem  in  rapid  and  successive 
charges  down  toward  tlie  scene  of  the  main  battle;  Fitz  TIugh  Lee’s 
cavalry  had  been  overcome  early  in  the  afternoon.  The  rest  of 
the  enemy’s  cavalry  made  so  little  opposition,  that  for  eight  miles 
the  Unionists  drove  them  like  sheep. 

At  two  P.M.,  the  second  infantry  advance  was  ordered.  A rapid 
cannonade  preceded  the  movement,  to  which  the  rebels  responded 
with  their  accustomed  vigor.  They  met  the  attack  with  a front 
so  stubborn,  and  for  a moment  so  unyielding,  few  would  have  ven- 
tured a wager  upon  their  retreat.  But  their  solid  lines  were  soon 
shaken  by  the  destructive  volleys  of  the  Union  soldiers ; every 
brigade  advajiced  sternly  and  magnificently,  bearing  down  upon 
the  foe  with  irresistible  power.  The  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  shat- 
tered by  General  Crook,  gave  way  and  wheeled  toward  the  south- 
west. At  this  moment.  General  Torbert  advanced  to  help  the 
attack.  General  Bevins,  approaching  on  the  left,  was  confronted 
by  the  rebel  cavalry  fleeing  before  General  Crook.  The  former 
general  had  under  his  command  two  regiments;. to  lose  one  was 
perhaps  to  lose  both.  The  commander  of  the  division  shouted, 
“ Charge  with  what  you  have ;”  and  Devins,  drawing  his  saber, 
lieaded  his  regiments  and  swept  through  the  flying  crowds,  cutting 
then  down  by  scores,  capturing  300  prisoners  and  three  battle- 
flags.  The  rest  of  the  cavalry  charged  in  turn  with  General  Crook, 
and  constantly  pushed  the  rebel  left  and  flank.  Their  right  was 
also  forced  back,  and  in  a short  time  the  center  began  retreating. 

The  battle  still  raged  fiercely  on  both  sides;  though  the  day 
was  evidently  lost  to  the  rebels.  They  fought  on  at  many  points 
with  frantic  resolution.  The  roar  of  musketry,  the  heavy  mutter- 
ings  of  cannon,  shouts  of  commanders,  and  cheers  of  men  echoed 
and  re-echoed  through  the  woods.  More  batteries  moved  to  the 
front,  the  cannonade  increased  in  volume,  till  every  second  gave 
birth  to  the  report  of  a gun.  Battery  after  battery  of  the  enemy 
was  silenced  ; but,  from  whatever  guns  they  could  command,  they 
gave  back  fire  for  fire. 

On  and  on  swept  the  tide  of  battle ; men,  women,  and  children, 
peering  from  the  windows  of  their  abodes,  listened,  wondered,  and 
grew  pale  with  terror.  Along  every  roadway,  out  of  the  forest, 
across  the  meadows,  came  ambulances  and  stretchers  bearing  the 
cost  of  a triumph  so  dearly  won.  The  paths  of  victory  are  ever 
strewn  with  fearful  mementoes.  Thus  joy  and  sorrow  strangely 


539 


Opequan  Creelc,  Va. 


commingle  on  the  field  of  battle.  Still  onward,  beneath  the  burn- 
ing sun,  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  revived  by  its  deeds  of 
valor,  thundered  after  its  prey.  Ursus  and  his  men,  in  that  glori- 
ous moment  when  they  hurled  the  pride  of  the  Tartars  madly  over 
the  precipice  of  Donee,  felt  only  the  same  heart-thrill  that  every 
true  soldier  felt  at  this  great  hour. 

Forward!  forward!  rings  along  the  lines.  Cheers  quickly  suc- 
ceed, and  the  troops  advance  anew.  On  tho  left,  Getty’s  command 
mrikes  fearful  havoc  with  tlie  foe.  On  the  right,  the  Army  of 
"Western  Virginia  are  revenging  "Winchester.  The  cavalry  of  Tor- 
bert,  still  farther  to  the  right,  are  preparing  for  a final  and  over- 
whelming charge.  The  artillery,  closing  up  in  tlie  rear,  thundets 
still  more  heavily.  The  echoes  of  battle  are  trembling  back  from 
the  mountain,  back  from  the  nearing  spires  of  "Winchester.  Tho 
last  plate.au  overlooking  the  plain  before  the  town  is  gained  by  tho 
entire  "Union  army.  The  enemy  still  fight,  retreating  upon  tho 
farthest  edge  of  the  plateau — their  artillery,  driven  to  the  plain 
below,  being  completely  silenqgd.  Down,  lower  and  lower^'the 
rebels  sink,  till  they  are  lost  behind  tho  verge.  A cheer,  wild  and 
prolonged,  goes  up  from  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  that  like  a 
rolling  billow  sweeps  through  the  ranks  and  thrills  each  heart 
with  joy.  AVinchester  dawns  upon  them,  its  roofs  and  spires  gilded 
with  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun. 

Tho  Union  artillery,  borne  across  the  plateau  to  its  farthest  verge, 
now  does  a work  terrible  to  behold.  At  every  discharge  of  the 
guns  the  ranks  of  the  foe  bend  helplessly  forward  like  grasses  of  a 
field  before  the  storm.  Rebel  horsemen  gallop  everywhere  upon 
the  plain,  swaying  useless  sabers  and  uttering  fruitless  cries  for 
their  men  to  rally. 

And  nowq  as  tho  right  flank  of  General  Crook  sweeps  into  view, 
tho  enemy  fly  hopelessly  before  them ; the  cavalry  of  Torbert  are 
seen  galloping  in  resistless  columns  around  the  left  flank  of  tho 
rebel  army.  Faster  and  yet  faster  they  press  on  among  the  flying 
crowds.  The  saber,  that  arm  of  which  so  many  mythical  deeds 
have  been  recorded,  now  does  its  work  of  destruction.  The  enemy 
are  surrounded,  and  make  but  momentary  resistance.  Numbers 
are  cut  down  and  captured,  the  rest  escape  and  fly  toward  "Win- 
chester. 

The  sun  trembles  on  tho  horizon’s  verge.  Its  farew'ell  beams 
fall  upon  a scene  of  picturesque  sublimity.  Vast,  level,  and  beau- 
tiful, the  field  itself  is  full  of  romantic  interest ; peopled  by  thou- 


640 


Fisher's  Hill^  Va. 


Bands  of  flying  rebels  and  pursuing  troops,  resounding  witli  a tor- 
rent of  musketry  and  the  ineessant  boom  of  cannon,  it  spreads 
abroad  in  impressive  grandeur.  Flying  through  "Wincbester,  tbo 
exhausted  foe  are  followed  by  the  victors.  The  town  and  the 
lieights  beyond  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists.  Twilight 
gathers  and  darkness  falls.  The  only  signs  of  the  enemy  at  day- 
light are  the  distant  echoes  of  their  artillery  wagons  retreating 
along  the  pike  toward  Newtown. 

There  were  taken  from  the  enemy  2,200  prisoners,  5,000  stands 
of  arms,  live  pieces  of  artillery,  and  eleven  battle-flags.  Nearly 
3,000  of  tlieir  wounded  were  left  at  Winchester  and  on  the  battle- 
field. The  Union  losses  amounted  to  between  3,000  and  4,000  killed 
and  wounded.  The  number  of  casualties  among  officers  was  un- 
usually largo. 


FISHER’S  HILL,  VA. 

SEPTiiMiiEa  21,  1861. 

VnioniitSy  Mnder  O^ntral  Sheridan.  Total  600. 

Disunionista^  under  General  Earhj.  Killed  and  wounded.^  400;  prisoners^  1,100, 

The  brilliant  victory  of  Opcquan  Creek  and  Winchester  was  im- 
mediately followed  by  another  success  to  the  Union  arms.  Early 
withdrew  to  Fisher’s  Hill,  after  tbo  battle  of  the  fOth,  where  ho 
rested  bis  right  upon  the  Massanuttea  Mountain,  and  his  left  upon 
North  Mountain,  having  his  front  covered  by  strong  natural  and 
artificial  defenses.  The  right  was  regarded  as  almost  impregnable. 

General  Sheridan,  however,  under  the  prestige  of  recent  victory, 
determined  to  assail  the  rebel  position,  in  spite  of  its  strength.  By 
the  morning  of  the  21st,  Sheridan’s  army  was  all  in  good  position. 
Crook’s  eighth  corps  held  the  right,  Wright’s  sixth  the  center,  and 
Emory’s  nineteenth  the  left.  While  the  latter  demonstrated  on  the 
left,  a division  of  the  sixth  corps  advanced  directly  in  front,  and 
Averill  drove  in  the  enemy’s  skirmishers.  Under  cover  of  these 
demonstrations.  Crook  moved  out  to  the  extreme  right, 'and  after 
an  arduous  march  Bwe[)t  round  and  flanked  the  enemy’s  left.  At 
five  o’clock  in  the  evening  a gallant  charge  was  made  by  the  latter 
general,  who  carried  tlie  foe  before  him,  driving  them  from  their 
intrenchments,  in  dire  confusion. 

At  the  same  time,  Wright  assailed  the  center,  and  Emory  at- 
tacked .the  left.  M’lth  great  rapidity,  the  sixth  corps  broke  the 
rebel  center,  separating  the  wings,  causing  the  enemy  to  flee  toward 


4 


Hichmond  and  Petersburg  Vicinities,  Va.  541 

"Woodstock.  Artillery,  horses,  wagons,  rides,  knapsacks,  and  can- 
teens were  abandoned  in  their  precipitate  diglit.  The  defeat  was 
most  disastrous;  1,100  prisoners  and  sixteen  pieces  of  artillery 
were  captured,  besides  many  caissons  and  artillery  horses,  with 
iftnmunition,  small-arms,  and  such  spoils  as  fall  from  an  army  re- 
treating under  such  disadvantages.  The  Union  loss  was  estimated 
at  600. 


RICHMOND  AND  PETERSBURG  VICINITIES,  VA. 

September  29  to  October  1, 18W. 

Unwnisiitiy  'under  General  Orant^ prohahly  about  120,000.  Killed.,  woxendedy  and 
mUfiingy  ohmtt  5,000. 

Dimniomaift.,  under  General  Z<e,  not  far  from  90,000.  Lossee  estimated  at  from 
1,T00  to  2,400. 

The  “ immediate  armistice”  which  followed  the  enemy’s  reluc- 
tant abandonment  of  his  desperate  attem|)ts  to  re-seizo  the  Weldon 
Railroad  was  soon  broken  by  the  renewal  of  deadly  hostilities. 
The  movement  in  its  inception  promised  to  be  one  of  great  moment. 
It  was  initiated  on  the  right  by  the  Army  of  the  James;  but  it 
was  a movement  from  both  flanks.  The  army  embraced  two  corps 
and  a division  of  cavalry,  all  under  General  Butler.  Of  these  the 
eighteentli  corps  occupied  the  lines  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  and  the 
tenth,  the  right  of  the  main  lino  at  Petersburg,  resting  on  the  Ap- 
pomattox, except  a single  brigade  which  held  the  position  at  Deep 
Bottom,  north  of  the  James.  On  the  night  of  September  28th, 
these  two  corps  were  quietly  moved  in  light  marching  order  up  to 
Jones’  Neck,  and  thence  thrown  across  the  James  on  mufllcd  pon- 
toon bridges,  the  tenth  to  Deep  Bottom,  and  the  eighteenth  to 
Aiken’s.  From  the  latter  point,  the  eighteenth  marched  out  on 
the  Varina  ro.ad,  before  daybreak.  It  advanced  steadily  for  a mile, 
when  the  rebel  pickets  .started  up,  and  to  their  bcwildonuent  found 
an  entire  army  cor[)s  driving  them  in.  Brisk  skirmishing  now 
ensued  between  the  retreating  foe  and  Stannard’s  division,  which 
led  the  advance.  At  length,  after  a skirmishing  march  of  between 
two  and  three  miles  from  Aiken’s,  the  corps  reached  a long  line  of 
intrenchments  running  to  the  James  River,  and  there  terminating 
in  an  elaborate  fort.  In  front  of  the  fortifications,  a line  of  battle 
was  immediately  formed  in  an  open  i)lain. 

BATTEUY  IIAUUISON,  CIIAFFIN’s  FARM. 

In  the  advance  from  Aiken’s,  Burnham's  troo[)s  were  first  pushed 
out  as  skirmishers.  The  line  now  consisted  of  Slannard  on  the 


542  Ulchmond  and  Petersburg  Vicinities,  Va. 


left  and  ITecknian  on  tlie  right.  Beyond  TIeckinan  was  Paine’s 
division,  which,  liowever,  was  oj)eruting  witli  the  tenth  corps  on  a 
dilFerent  road.  In  front  of  Stannard  was  a series  of  strong  ccii- 
nected  forts.  Tliat  confronting  Burnham  was  said  to  bo  a formi- 
dable redoubt  with  two  salients,  connected  by  a massive  curtain 
with  a star-fort.  The  works  known  as  Battery  Harrison  were  all 
strong,  and  well  defended  by  artillery,  and  surrounded  by  a ditch 
ten  feet  wide  and  deep. 

The  troops  having  formed  in  the  woods,  dashed  out  into  the  plain 
with  drums  and  colors.  A terrific  fire  from  the  rifle-pits,  the  forts 
on  both  sides  of  the  river,  and  two  iron-clads  instantly  swept  over 
them.  But  under  this  murderous  fire  the  corps  moved  steadily 
forward  and  sprang  at  the  intrenchments.  On  right,  left,  and  cen- 
ter the  fortifications  were  carried,  amid  prolonged  cheers.  The 
enemy  gave  way  in  confusion  and  broke  for  the  cover  of  woods 
which  skirted  the  plain  in  the  rear.  Works  were  then  prepared 
for  their  reception,  and  they  employed  themselves  in  strengthening 
them. 

The  Feder.al  troops  paused  in  pursuit,  and  contented  themselves 
with  the  position  carried.  It  had  been  purchased  at  a fearful  cost, 
the  enemy’s  artillery  telling  heavily  upon  the  Union  ranks  as  they 
swept  over  the  plain.  Fortunately  there  wmre  but  few  troops  in 
the  works — the  attack  being  a surprise,  and  the  enemy  having  most 
of  his  men  in  the  neighborhood  of  Petersburg.  During  the  fight 
his  reinforcements  began  to  arrive.  The  result  of  this  brilliant 
achievement  was  the  caj)turo  of  Battery  Harrison,  with  its  long 
lino  of  intrenchments,  sixteen  pieces  t)f  artillery,  and  from  200  to 
300  prisoners.  The  rebel  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  light 
compared  with  that  of  the  Unionists.  The  total  Union  loss  was 
stated  at  800  men.  By  ten  o’clock  the  smoko  of  battle  cleared 
away,  and  the  Federal  troops  bestowed  all  their  energies  upon 
strengthening  their  position. 

During  the  day.  General  Weitzel  finding  it  impossible  to  hold 
the  star-fort  and  the  curtain  on  the  left,  on  account  of  the  enemy’s 
galling  fire,  abandoned  them,  and  moved  Heckman’s  division  to  the 
left,  thus  concentrating  his  troops. 

NKWMAUKET  nKIGHTS. 

Meanwhile  the  tenth  corps  was  not  inactive.  Simultaneously 
with  Old’s  movement  on  the  Varina  road,  Birney  marched  toward 
Newmarket.  Paine’s  colored  division  led  the  advance.  They 
quickly  encountered  the  rebel  pickets  and  drove  them  back.  The 


Jiichmond  and  Petershurg  Vicinities,  Va.  543 

Kingsland  road  was  soon  reached,  and  the  enemy  awaited  the 
Union  army  near  its  junction  with  tl)e  Newmarket  road.  A strong 
breast-work  on  Newmarket  Heiglits  covered  the  junction.  The 
marshy  ground  in  front,  with  dwarf  trees  and  a dense  under- 
growth, rendered  it  difficult  of  approach  ; while  a prepared  abattis 
increased  tiie  natural  obstacles.  Through  this  prolonged  entangle- 
ment and  up  to  the  works,  Paine’s  colored  division  moved  with 
great  spirit.  A galling  fire  swept  through  them  at  every  step; 
but,  without  firing  a shot,  after  a long  and  arduous  struggle,  they 
surmounted  the  obstacles  and  carried  the  works  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  It  was  the  key  to  the  rebel  defenses,  and  was  accord- 
ingly defended  with  marked  obstinacy.  But  the  impetuous  rush 
and  steady  advance  of  the  colored  troops  was  irresistible.  Nearly 
200  fell  in  the  gallant  struggle,  aud  a much  greater  number  were 
wounded. 

Terry’s  first  division  of  the  tenth  had,  meanwhile,  pushed  in  on 
the  right  and  fianked  the  enemy,  who  fell  back  from  the  heights, 
which  the  latter  general  seized  and  held.  No  artillery  was  em- 
ployed on  either  side,  and  tlie  contest  was  brief  and  decisive.  The 
Union  loss  was  reported  at  from  1,300  to  1,500.  The  enemy’s  loss 
was  hardly  half  as  large.  Their  retreat  was  so  rapid  that  no  pris- 
oners were  taken. 

latjuel  niLL. 

After  a short  pause,  Birney  pushed  northwesterly  up  the  road 
toward  Richmond,  and  soon  reached  the  point  of  intersection  of 
the  Newmarket  road  with  the  Mill  road,  three  miles  above  New- 
market. The  junction  was  covered  with  some  earth-works,  which, 
liowever,  were  feebly  defended.  The  advance  easily  drove  the 
enemy  as  far  as  to  the  junction  of  the  Varina  and  Newmarket 
roads,  six  miles  from  Richmond,  llere  was  a substantial  work, 
well  worthy  to  be  reckoned  a part  of  the  outer  defenses  of  the 
rebel  capital.  The  main  work  was  semicircular,  with  others  pro- 
tecting it  on  either  side. 

Foster’s  division  immediately  deployed  on  the  right,  and  Birney’s 
colored  division  on  the  left.  About  two  o’clock  an  assault  was 
ordered.  Several  gallant  charges  were  made;  but  tlie  Union 
troops  recoiled  each  time  with  heavy  loss.  The  rebel  artillery  and 
mu.sketry,  both  in  flank  and  front,  completely  swept  the  open 
plain,  and  made  fearful  gaps  in  the  Federal  ranks.  On  tlie  left  tlio 
storming  party  succeeded  in  reacliing  the  ditch  ; but  the  few  who 
attained  the  parapet  returned  no  more.  It  soon  became  apparent 


544  Hichmond  and  Petersburg  Vicinities,  Va. 

that  the  works  on  Laurel  Hill,  as  the  heights  were  called,  were  suc- 
cessfully resisting  the  assault.  Before  night  came  on,  the  attack 
ceased,  and  the  enemy  was  left  secure  in  his  position.  The  Union 
loss  in  this  affair  was  estimated  from  300  to  600.  The  rebels  suf- 
fered much  less. 

Kautz’s  cavalry  division  having  scouted  early  in  the  morning  on 
the  roads  appointed  for  the  infantry,  about  nine  o’clock  turned  off 
to  the  right  and  moved  up  on  the  Darbytown  road.  Strange 
enough,  they  encountered  no  opposition  till  they  had  nearly  reached 
the  toll-gate,  two  or  three  miles  from  Richmond.  A neighboring 
fort  then  opened  upon  them. 

While  the  affair  at  Laurel  Hill  was  in  progress,  Terry’s  division 
of  the  tenth  corps  was  sent  out  to  Kautz’s  support.  The  division 
marched  across  from  the  Newmarket  to  the  Darbytown  road,  and 
pushing  rapidly  forward,  came  at  last  in  view  of  the  sjjires  of 
Richmond.  They  remained  in  this  advanced  position  till  night 
came  on,  and  then  withdrew.  Rand’s  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cav- 
alry, being  in  advance  of  Terry,  made  a bold  personal  reconnois- 
sance  close  to  the  city.  At  evening,  Kautz  returned.  The  Unionists 
had  failed  to  carry  the  works  at  Laurel  Hill,  and  had  also  been 
checked  in  the  main  line  of  works  on  Chaffin’s  farm.  But  the 
operations  of  the  day,  notwithstanding  the  loss  which  attended 
them,  were  brilliantly  successful.  The  country  was  found  to  be 
full  of  fortifications,  and  the  enemy  fought  with  determination. 

Chaffin’s  farm. — (second  engagement.) 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  captured  works  had  been 
abandoned  and  the  Union  troops  concentrated  to  repel  attack. 
Birney  also  withdrew  from  Laurel  Hill  to  the  captured  line  of 
works  in  his  rear.  The  result  proved  the  wisdom  of  these  dispo- 
sitions. No  further  assault  was  made  till  Friday  afternoon.  About 
two  o’clock  the  enemy  appeared  in  force,  having  been  largely  rein- 
forced from  Petersburg.  The  whole  of  Hoke’s  division  confronted 
Stannard,  General  Lee  superintending  the  attack.  His  object  was 
to  break  through  the  intrenchments,  and  to  separate  the  eighteenth 
and  tenth  corps.  The  colored  divisions  of  Paine  and  Birney  formed 
the  left  of  tenth  corps,  and  upon  these  the  enemy’s  left  was  hurled 
with  violence.  They  held  the  ground  with  fidelity,  and  delivered  a 
withering  fire  of  musketry,  while  the  batteries  spread  devastation 
through  tlie  rebel  ranks. 

But  it  was  on  Stannard’s  division  that  the  weight  of  the  attack 


Richmond  and  Petersburg  Vicinities,  Vd.  545 

fell.  Deploying  in  three  lines,  the  enemy  charged  with  great 
promptitude  under  cover  of  a hot  shelling  froin  tijeir  iron- clads 
in  the  river,  and  an  annoying  enfilading  fire  from  the  batteries 
on  the  bank.  A well-directed  musketry  fire  sent  them  reeling 
hack  to  the  wood,  before  they  could  reach  the  intrenchments. 
Again  and  again  they  rallied,  were  re-formed,  and  made  the  charge. 
They  approached  very  near  the  works,  hut  were  repulsed  with 
fearful  slaughter.  The  musketry  fire  from  the  Unionists  was  at 
once  incessant  and  murderous.  The  artillery  fire  was  less  effective. 

The  rebels  sustained  a loss  of  1,000  men,  200  of  the  number 
were  prisoners  of  war.  The  casualties  of  the  Union  army  did  not 
exceed  600. 

Peebles’  faem. 

About  ten  o’clock,  Friday  morning,  the  cavalry  once  more  moved 
out  on  the  extreme  left,  while  two  divisions  of  the  fifth  corps  and 
two  of  the  ninth,  with  several  batteries,  moved  out  in  the  direction 
of  Poplar  Grove.  They  marched  by  a circuitous  route,  and  soon 
after  noon  reached  Peebles’  Farm,  five  miles  southwest  of  Peters- 
burg. They  here  came  upon  a redoubt  aud  a line  of  intrenchments, 
with  skirmishers  in  front.  The  hatter  soon  fell  back  into  the  re- 
doubt, which  mounted  several  small  rifled  pieces.  In  front  was  an 
open  ground,  which  the  intrenchments  easily  swept,  as  they  occu- 
pied commanding  ridges.  The  task  of  carrying  these  works  was 
assigned  to  Griffin’s  division.  At  the  word  of  command  the  divi- 
sion charged  gallantly,  captured  the  first  line  of  intrenchments  and 
drove  the  enemy  at  all  points,  taking  one  gun,  several  officers,  and 
fifty  men.  The  Union  loss  did  not  exceed  150. 

The  column  soon  re-formed,  and  resumed  the  march.  The  rebels 
retired  slowly  for  half  a mile,  where  they  were  found  well  intrench- 
ed. About  five  o’clock  the  fifth  corps  assailed  the  works ; the  ad- 
vance brigade  attempted  to  press  up  the  acclivity  on  which  the 
enemy  was  posted,  but  received  a severe  repulse,  and  being  counter- 
charged in  turn,  was  thrown  into  confusion.  A flanking  column 
of  the  foe  now  broke  in  between  the  fifth  and  ninth  corps,  com- 
pleting the  disaster.  Fortunately,  a reserve  division  was  hurried 
forward,  and  succeeded  in  checking  the  triumphant  advance  of  the 
enemy.  The  total  Union  loss  in  the  two  corps  was  estimated  at 
2,000,  two  thirds  of  the  number  being  prisoners.  The  enemy’s  loss 
did  not  exceed  300. 


In  the  afternoon  of  October  1st,  Hampton’s  cavalry  division 


546 


Ironton,  Mo. — Abingdon.,  Va. 


came  down  upon  Gregg,  who  covered  the  Union  left  flank  and  was 
beyond  the  Vanghan  road.  The  rebel  general  charged  with  great 
spirit,  first  driving  back  the  opposing  skirmish  line,  and  then 
capturing  their  main  line  of  works  with  great  rapidity.  Gregg 
fell  back  to  a stronger  position,  and  repelled  several  desperate 
charges  of  the  enemy.  The  latter  at  length  retired,  discomfited, 
having  suffered  severe  loss. 

For  several  days  following  October  1st  there  was  no  severe 
fighting;  and  the  situation  remained  but  little  changed.  The 
hostile  armies  merely  maintained  their  threatening  attitudes,  and 
waited  a more  favorable  opportunity  to  accomplish  the  designs  of 
their  leaders. 


lEONTOU,  MO. 

Septkmbeu  26,  16C-1. 

UnioniaU.  under  General  Ewiny.  Killed,  9 ; woiaided,  60. 

DisuniunUta,  under  General  Price,  20,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  1,500. 

September  14th,  General  Price  with  a large  rebel  force  crossed 
the  White  River  at  Salina,  j\rk.,  and  during  the  following  week 
entered  Missouri  from  the  southeast.  On  the  23d,  his  advance  oc- 
cupied Bloomfield,  which  place  had  been  evacuated  by  the  Union- 
ists on  the  night  of  the  21st.  The  rebels  next  marched  upon  Pilot 
Knob,  which  had  fortunately  been  occupied  by  a brigade  under 
General  Ewing.  This  force,  with  the  garrisons  of  Pilot  Knob  and 
outlying  posts,  readily  repulsed  the  invaders  when  they  undertook 
to  carry  the  place  by  assault,  and  compelled  their  retirement,  with 
heavy  loss. 

The  fort  was  one  of  great  strength ; but  the  subsequent  occupa- 
tion of  Shepherd  Mountain,  a hill  commanding  the  place,  compelled 
General  Ewing  to  evacuate.  After  exploding  his  magazine,  he  fell 
back  to  Harrison  Station.  The  rebel  loss  was  reported  at  1,500. 
The  Union  loss  was  nine  killed  and  sixty  wounded. 


ABINGDON,  VA. 

OOTOBEB  2,  1864. 

UnionUts^  under  General  Burhridgcy  2,500.  Total  850. 

DieunionisU,  under  General  EchoU,,  6,000  to  8,000.  Killedj  18 ; wounded^  71 ; 
missing^  21. 

Genkrai.  Gili.em’s  success  in  routing  the  rebel  forces  and  killing 
their  leader,  John  Morgan,  gave  rise  to  the  desire  on  his  part,  to 


647 


Darbytown  Road,  Va. 

destroy  the  extensive  salt-works  at  Abingdon,  Va.  Knowing  that 
it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to  accomplish  the  work  unaided,  he 
sought  the  co-operation  of  General  Ilurbridge,  and  arrangements 
were  made  accordingly.  The  latter  general  encountered  the  enemy 
in  superior  numbers  early  on  the  morning  of  October  2d,  about 
four  miles  from  Saltville,  and  made  a grand  charge  upon  him,  turn- 
ing his  right,  and  compeliing  him  to  retire  to  his  intrenchments. 

r<^  several  hours  the  battle  was  warmly  contested ; Colonel  Han- 
son jnerced  the  enemy’s  center  and  carried  a portion  of  the  rebel 
works.  Upon  all  sides  the  aftair  bespoke  success ; but  a limited 
supply  of  ammunition  admonished  the  Unionists  that  they  must 
use  it  discreetly.  "Whereupon  the  line  fell  back,  as  a feint ; when 
the  rebels  rallied  in  great  numbers  and  desperately  contested  the 
ground  they  had  lost.  The  ammunition  of  the  Federal  troops  soon 
became  entirely  expended,  and  no  alternative  presented  itself  but 
retreat.  General  Burbridge  reported  his  loss  at  350.  The  rebels 
acknowledged  a loss  of  119. 


DARBYTOWN  ROAD,  VA. 

October  7,  1864- 

TTnioniaU^  under  General  Butler^from  15,000  to  20,000.  Total  500. 
DisxtnionisU^  under  General  Andersony  between  two  and  three  divisions^  Proba- 
ble loasy  1,000. 

On  Friday,  October  7th,  the  enemy  made  a vigorous  and  par- 
tially successful  endeavor  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  Army  of 
the  James.  At  this  time,  the  Federal  lines  were  running,  to  speak 
roughly,  in  a northeasterly  and  southwesterly  direction,  the  eight- 
eenth corps  holding  the  left,  the  tenth  the  center  and  right  center, 
and  the  cavalry  the  extreme  right. 

The  loft  was  firmly  intrenched  at  Battery  Harrison ; the  center 
crossed  the  Newmarket  road  ; and  the  right  the  Darbytown  road, 
extending  over  so  far  as  to  support  its  outer  flank  on  the  Charles 
City  road.  At  the  latter  point,  the  Union  troops  were  about  five 
miles  from  Richmond.  The  left  was  a few  miles  farther  from  the 
city. 

At  early  dawn  on  Friday,  a rebel  force  under  Anderson,  consist- 
ing of  a cavalry  brigade  and  two  divisions  of  infantry,  having 
moved  down  the  Darbytown  and  Charles  City  roads  in  the  darkness, 
suddenly  burst  upon  Kautz’s  cavalry  division  which  held  the  Union 
right.  The  force  of  the  latter  embraced  only  two  brigades  and 


648 


Darbytown  Road,  Va. 


two  batteries.  Tlie  attack  was  a complete  surprise,  and  their  com- 
manders were  unable  to  prevent  the  cavalrymen  from  an  utter 
staTnpede.  They  broke  in  perfect  rout,  streaming  over  the  country 
to  the  rear,  with  little  organization.  The  batteries,  deserted  by 
their  supports,  were  compelled  to  follow  ; but,  retreating  over  a 
marshy  ground,  they  were  soon  mired  and  captured  entire,  with  all 
the  caissons  and  horses.  Several  hundred  of  the  cavalry  were  cap- 
tured, with  their  horses ; and  many  were  killed  and  wound^  in 
the  brief  fight  and  subsequent  pursuit.  ' 

One  division  of  the  enemy  having  now  gained  com^ilete  posscs- 
fiion  of  the  Darbytown  road,  was  joined  on  the  left  by  their  flank- 
ing column.  Both  at  once  pressed  in  pursuit,  and  soon  encountered 
the  right  center  and  right  of  the  tenth  corps.  Meanwhile,  the 
cavalry  had  gained,  in  their  flight,  Signal  Hill  and  Newmarket 
Heights.  Proper  and  skillful  dispositions  were  briskly  made,  on  the 
stampede  of  the  cavalry ; and,  before  the  enemy  was  upon  him,  Terry 
was  ready. 

As  the  foe  approached,  he  was  greeted  with  a heavy  cross-fire  of 
artillery  from  the  Union  left.  Meanwhile,  Field’s  division  moved 
up,  in  excellent  order,  to  the  assault — dashing  over  the  open  space 
at  double-quick — and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  woods  on  the  Union 
right.  The  Federal  infantry  remained  quiet  until  the  enemy  was 
very  close,  when  the  four  brigades,  rising  from  their  half  ambush, 
poured  into  him  a sudden  and  destructive  fire.  The  chief  attack 
fell  upon  Abbott’s  brigade,  a part  of  which  was  armed  with  Spen- 
cer’s repeating  rifle.  This  weapon,  at  short  range,  proved  very 
deadly.  Though  shattered  by  Terry’s  fire,  the  enemy  still  clung  to 
his  attempt,  and  a fierce  musketry  battle  took  place  in  the  wood.s. 
After  a protracted  engagement,  the  rebels  made  a second  desperate 
rush  at  Pond’s  brigade,  but  was  as  briskly  repelled  as  in  his  first 
onset  against  Abbott.  At  length  be  withdrew  his  infantry.  Ho 
still,  however,  kept  up  a hot  fire  from  his  artillery,  which  was  at 
short  range  from  his  opponents;  and,  under  cover  of  this,  removed 
Ids  trooj)3  to  tlio  central  road  wliich  ho  hoped  to  hold  for  his  own. 
But,  on  the  enemy’s  retirement,  Terry’s  division  was  put  in  motion 
to  follow  and  flank  him.  The  enemy,  seeing  this  maneuver,  fell 
back  to  the  Charles  City  road,  leaving  the  central  or  Darbytown 
road  in  possession  of  the  Unionists. 

During  the  engagement  on  the  riglit,  the  enemy  made  a shai'p 
demonstration  on  the  left,  at  Battery  Harrison,  which  he  shelled 
with  great  rapidity;  but  the  infantry  attack  hero  was  completely 


549 


Fisher's  Uill^  Fa. — Allatoona^  Ga. 


foiled.  Tlie  main  attack  was  now  ended,  but  skirmishing  continued 
till  dark. 

The  entire  Union  loss  for  the  d.ay  did  not  exceed  500  ; while  that 
of  the  enemy  was  estimated  at  1,000.  Among  the  latter  were  150 
prisoners. 




FISHER’S  HILL,  VA. 

OcTOHEIt  P,  18G4. 

XjTiionifiU^  under  General  SJitridan.  Total  60. 

DUtenionistSy  under  General  Rosser,  Killed  and  woundedy  not  stated;  prison- 
erSy  330. 

On  October  9th,  while  General  Sheridan  was  moving  down  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  toward  Strasburg,  being  followed  by  the  enemy, 
he  discovered  a large  force  of  rebel  cavalry  close  in  his  rear.  He 
immediately  halted  his  command  to  offer  battle  by  attacking  the  pur- 
suers. General  Torbert  moved  against  the  enemy  beyond  Fisher’s 
Hill  at  daylight.  They  broke  and  ran,  at  the  first  charge.  The 
gallant  Union  cavalry  followed  twenty-six  miles,  through  Mount 
.lackson  and  across  the  north  fork  of  the  Shenandoah.  They  cap- 
tured 330  prisoners  and  11  pieces  of  artillery,  besides  horses, 
wagons,  and  ambulances. 


ALLATOONA,  GA. 

OOTOBEE  10,  1864. 

XTnionisUy  under  General  Corsty  1,700.  Killed^  itonndedy  and  prisonersy  COO. 
RUunionistSy  under  General  .Frenc/i,  7,000.  Killed  and  woundedyTl^  \ prison^ 
erSy  500. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  the  rebel  army,  under  General  Hood, 
crossed  the  Chattahoochee,  and  began  moving  northward,  with  a 
view  to  breaking  the  railroad  between  D.allas  and  Atlanta,  thus  in- 
terrupting General  Sherman’s  line  of  communication,  and  cutting 
off  his  base  of  supplies.  The  movement  of  the  enemy  becamo 
known  to  General  Shertnan  on  the  following  day ; but,  being  un- 
certain as  to  Hood’s  intention,  and  both  bridges  in  the  Union  rear 
having  been  swept  away  by  a freshet,  he  delayed  moving  his  forces 
till  the  4th  instant,  when  three  pontoon  bridges  were  laid,  over 
which  the  armies  of  the  Cumberland,  Ohio,  and  Tennessee  were 
crossed,  and  marched  toward  JIarietta. 

As  soon  as  General  Sherman  received  an  intimation  that 
Hood’s  direction  was  Dallas,  he  sent  a message  to  General  Corse  — 

28 


550  Darhytown  Itoad^  Va. 

commanding  the  fourtli  division  of  the  fifteenth  corps — directing 
liim  to  move  at  once  witli  all  liis  troops  to  Allatoona.  The  enemy 
learning  tliat  a million  and  a half  of  rations  were  concentrated  at 
the  latter  place,  General  Hood  sent  a force  under  French,  from  Dal- 
las, to  surprise  and  capture  it.  His  army  being  encamped  in  a bar- 
ren country,  with  but  seven  days’  provisions,  the  prize  he  sought  to 
grasp  was  most  alluring. 

The  rebels,  fired  with  the  desire  to  make  a conquest  of  such  ines- 
timable value,  rushed  eagerly  to  the  conflict.  They  charged  the 
Federal  works  again  and  again  with  a desperation  akin  to  mad- 
ness ; General  Corse  resisted  with  equal  determination.  After 
several  hours  of  sanguinary  warfare  General  French  demanded  a 
surrender.  The  demand  was  promptly  and  spiritedly  refused ; and 
again  the  storm  of  shot  and  shell  broke  over  the  pass,  and  continued 
for  five  hours,  without  cessation.  The  enemy  were  at  length 
driven  hack  with  fearful  loss.  Thoroughly  disheartened,  they 
withdrew  toward  Dallas,  leaving  in  the  hands  of  the  victors  150 
dead,  500  prisoners.  400  stands  of  arms,  and  three  colors.  The 
Unionists  lost  600  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  out  of  a force  of 
1,900  men. 

The  town  was  destroyed  by  shot  and  shell.  All  the  cavalry  and 
artillery  horses  were  killed  ; but  the  valuable  stores  were  saved, 
the  fort  and  pass  were  held.  The  battle  was  most  fiercely  con- 
tested. In  an  intrenchment  opposite  the  main  fort  there  were 
found  among  the  dead  both  Union  and  rebel  soldiers  with  bayonets 
transfixed  in  each  other.  The  noble  martyrs  who  fell  on  that  blood- 
stained field  died  conscious  that  liberty  and  their  country  owed 
them  an  eternal  debt  of  glory.  The  brave  survivors  won  for 
themselves  an  undving  fame. 


DARBYTOWN  ROAD,  VA 

OOTOBEK  13,  1864. 

Unionists,  under  Oeneral  Terry.  Total  loss,  414. 

DisunionlHls,  under  General . Total  lass,  201). 

In  order  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  the  enemy  on  the  right 
of  General  Lee’s  lines,  General  Terry  with  a large  body  of  troops 
made  a reconnoissance  in  force.  The  movement  commenced  on 
the  evening  of  the  12th,  hut  unfortunately  it  came  to  a halt  soon 
after  the  column  had  pushed  out  to  the  right.  It  tarried  for  the 
night,  and  at  daybreak  on  the  13th  again  moved  forward,  keeping 


BuWs  Gap^  Va. 


651 


to  the  right  till  it  reached  the  Darbytown  road.  The  cavalry,  ar- 
riving at  the  Charles  City  road,  dismounted,  and  there  deployed  as 
skirmishers.  Birney  deployed  ou  the  left  of  the  central  road,  and 
Ames  on  the  right,  while  Kants  covered  the  extreme  right  between 
the  two  roads.  The  rebel  videttes  were  soon  encountered  on  the 
first-mentioned  road  and  driven  back  after  a protracted  skirmish, 
until  they  reached  a series  of  their  intrenchments  two  miles  dis- 
tant from  the  Federal  position.  These  works  mounted  two  guns, 
and  were  connected  by  rifle-pits,  the  whole  protected  by  a broad 
slashing. 

As  soon  as  Terry’s  troops  came  into  range,  the  enemy’s  infantry 
opened  a sharp  fire,  which  was  speedily  returned.  The  Union 
forces  were  halted,  brought  into  position,  and  began  a rapid  mus- 
ketry discharge,  which  continued  through  the  day. 

It  being  Terry’s  object  to  discover  the  length  and  strength  of  the 
line,  brigades  were  pushed  out  hero  and  there  in  reconnoitering 
charges;  they  advanced  to  the  slashings,  and  then  withdrew.  Thus 
the  whole  line  of  intrenchments  was  felt,  without  bringing  on  seri- 
ous demonstrations.  On  the  right  it  was  conjectured  that  the 
Union  troops  overlapped  the  enemy’s  works,  and  accordingly  a 
brigade  was  ordered  forward  to  turn  the  enemy’s  left.  But,  unfor- 
tunately, the  works  were  not  what  was  conjectured ; and  the  brig- 
ade rushing  gallantly  forward  was  caught  by  a severe  enfilading 
fire.  It  was  evidently  a trap  ; and  the  Federal  soldiers  retreated, 
after  sufiering  heavy  loss. 

Encouraged  by  this  success,  the  enemy  sallied  from  his  breast- 
works and  made  a spirited  charge  with  all  his  available  force  ; for 
a short  time  the  musketry  fire  was  very  sharp.  But  he  retired,  at 
length,  without  accomplishing  his  object,  the  Union  line  remaining 
unbroken.  The  enemy  lost  200  men;  the  Union  loss  was  414. 
General  Terry  reported  his  rcconnoissance  as  entirely  successful  in 
the  accomplishment  of  its  purpose. 


BULL’S  GAP,  VA. 

OcTOBKtt  13,  1864. 

XTnioniiiiSy  under  General  2,400.  Total  loss,  220. 

DvsunionisUy  under  General  Breckinridgty  6,800.  LoseeSy  not  given. 

On  the  night  of  October  13th,  General  Gillein  with  his  littlo 
army  encamped  at  Panther’s  Creek,  near  Morristown.  About  ten 
o’clock,  he  became  aw’are  that  the  picket  line  of  the  enemy  was 


552  Central  and  Southern  Missouri. 

being  urged  forward.  Accordingly  bo  placed  a third  of  bis  com- 
mand on  picket,  and  directed  the  artillery  and  trains  to  bo  prepared 
for  moUon  or  action  at  a iiiomeut’s  warning.  At  midnight,  a crash 
took  place ; and,  at  one  fell  swoop,  Gillem's  command  was  attacked 
on  both  flanks,  and  bis  center  pierced  and  broken. 

A rebel  brigade,  advancing  in  front,  fired  a volley  into  the  ranks 
of  the  Eighth  Tennessee,  the  horses  of  which  were  new  and  un- 
manageable. A wild  panic  instantly  followed.  Eiders  were  dashed 
to  the  ground  and  trampled  under  the  feet  of  the  frantic  animals, 
flying  at  mad  speed  in  all  directions.  Simultaneously,  desperate 
attacks  were  hurled  upon  the  right  and  left,  and  for  an  hour  the 
battle  raged  with  uiflibated  fury.  At  this  juncture  almost  the  en- 
tire Union  command  was  surrounded,  and  after  a series  of  hand-to- 
hand  encounters,  the  rebels  succeeded  in  capturing  the  entire  artil- 
lery, Confusion  and  excitement  now  reigned  supreme.  The  Eighth 
and  Thirteenth  Tennessee  had  given  way  and  fled  in  dismay,  the 
Ninth  joining  in  the  disgraceful  flight.  General  Gillem  made  every 
eflbrt  to  check  the  disaster,  but  all  in  vain.  For  twenty-four  miles, 
an  indescribable  mass  of  teamsters  and  soldiers  continued  their 
flight,  pursued  and  harassed  by  an  exultant  foe.  The  night  was 
fearfully  dark,  and  the  loss  in  men  was  consequently  small.  Gen- 
eral Gillem  states  the  entire  loss  at  220.  All  the  wagons,  baggage, 
cattle,  and  the  entire  paraphernalia  of  the  army  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy. 

^ — — 

CENTRAL  AND  SOUTHERN  MISSOURI. 

(PI.KAflONTON’8  POEBItlT  OS'  PEIOE.) 

OoTOBSK  IT  TO  25,  1864. 

Vnionistn,  vnder  General  1‘leaeonton,  8,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  1,000 ; jjris- 
oners,  2,000. 

Diaunioniste,  under  General  Price,  20,000.  Killed,  900 ; wounded,  2,800  ; joria- 
ers,  2,000. 

After  the  battle  at  Pilot  Knob,  the  enemy  crossed  the  Osage 
and  directed  their  march  to  Jefferson  City.  Large  bodies  of  Union 
troops  had  been  concentrated  at  this  point,  under  General  Fisk. 
Some  skirmishing  occurred  here,  and  the  rebels  then  retired  to 
Eooneville.  The  Unionists  remained  quiet,  without  attempting 
pursuit,  until  General  Pleasonton  came  up;  when  the  latter  fol- 
lowed Price,  harassing  his  rear  with  Sanborn’s  troops.  On  the 
22d,  the  rebel  general  was  overtaken  by  Pleasonton  at  the  Little 


Central  and  Southern  Missouri.  553 

Blue  River,  and  driven  thence  to  the  Big  Blue,  where  Price  forced 
Blunt  to  retire,  and  awaited  Pleasonton’s  attack. 

On  the  day  following,  a severe  battle  was  fought  near  Westport. 
Curtis  was  first  driven  from  this  point  by  the  rebels  under  Shelby, 
who  were  in  turn  attacked  and  defeated  by  Pleasonton.  The 
enemy  then  turned  south  on  the  Fort  Scott  road.  Pleasonton  and 
Curtis,  having  joined  forces,  briskly  pursued,  and  struck  the  foe  at 
daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  26th.  The  Federal  troo|)S  attacked 
with  vigor,  opening  directly  upon  the  rebel  camp,  with  all  their 
artillery.  The  Confederate  troops  at  once  stampeded  and  fled  hither 
and  thither  in  the  wildest  confusion,  leaving  their  entire  camp, 
twenty  wagons  full  of  plunder,  and  several  hundred  head  of  cattle. 
The  retreating  foe  obstructed  the  road  by  felling  trees,  which  de- 
layed the  pursuit ; hut  the  w'ay  was  cleared  as  speedily  as  possible, 
and  the  advance  sounded.  A running  fight  was  thus  kept  up  for 
five  miles  on  the  Fort  Scott  road  ; until  the  enemy  was  so  closely 
pressed  that  he  was  comj)elled  to  give  battle  on  Mine  Creek — a 
tributary  of  the  Osage.  Uo  accordingly  threw  two  divisions  into 
strong  positions  on  the  creek,  and  placed  eight  guns  in  battery. 

Pleasonton’s  advance  at  this  time  consisted  of  two  brigades  only, 
without  artillery  ; but  relying  upon  the  enthusiasm  of  his  men,  and 
seeing  the  advantage  of  time  to  the  enemy,  ho  directed  the  attack 
to  be  made,  notwithstanding  the  heavy  fire  and  8ui)erior  numbers 
of  the  foe.  The  contest  was  seyere,  and  lasted  for  an  hour ; but 
the  rebels  gave  way  under  the  admirable  spirit  of  the  attack,  and 
fled,  leaving  the  guns,  1,000  prisoners,  including  Generals  Marma- 
duke  and  Cabell  and  six  colonels,  together  with  1,500  stands  of 
arms,  in  the  hands  of  the  Unionists. 

The  pursuit  was  resumed,  and  the  enemy  were  overtaken  for  the 
last  time  on  the  JIarais  Dcs  Cygnes.  A sharp,  brief  battle  ensued ; 
when  Price  was  again  routed,  and  compelled  to  burn  over  200 
wagons,  and  explode  all  his  artillery  ammunition. 

General  Pleaaonton's  men  and  horses  were  now  greatly  exhausted, 
but  the  pursuit  was  continued,  and  resulted  in  heavy  losses  to  the 
rebels.  The  latter  lost  in  the  series  of  engagements  2,000  prison- 
ers, 900  killed,  and  2,800  w’ounded.  They  also  lost  all  their  artil- 
lery, besides  nearly  all  their  transportation,  and  the  plunder  gath- 
ered since  they  entered  the  State.  The  Union  loss  did  not  exceed 
3,000.  This  brief,  but  brilliant  campaign  distinguished  General 
Pleasonton  as  one  of  the  best  cavalry  officers  of  the  day. 


554 


Cedar  CreeJc^  Vd. 


CEDAR  CREEK,  VA. 

October  19, 18G4. 

JTniimists,  under  General  Sheridan,  alont  30,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  4,000; 
prisoners,  1,300. 

PUunionists,  under  General  Karly,  80,000.  Killed  and  wmtnded,  2,800;  prison- 
ers, 1.300 

On  tlie  morning  of  October  19th,  •while  the  mantle  of  darlcness 
yet  wrapped  the  earth,  and  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  slept  un- 
conscious of  impending  danger,  a faint  picket  assault  was  ma  le  on 
the  Union  right.  A rapid  and  continuous  discharge  of  sentinel  mus- 
kets extended  along  the  entire  Federal  front  toward  the  left;  when 
suddenly,  with  scarcely  a moment’s  warning,  the  rebel  infantry  ad- 
vanced against  General  Crook’s  position  in  solid  columns,  pouring 
in  a fierce  fire  on  flank  and  front.  Only  a portion  of  the  troops 
manned  the  breast- works  where  the  assault  commenced.  It  was 
BO  energetic  and  deadly  as  to  break  the  lines  at  once.  The  men 
were  swept  from  their  defenses,  into  which  the  foe  came  flooding 
like  a sea — firing,  shouting,  driving  all  before  them.  They  entered 
the  encampment  in  the  rear  of  the  works,  where  soldiers  scarcely 
aroused  from  their  heavy  sleep  were  springing  from  their  blankets. 
To  preserve  the  artillery  at  the  breast-works  became  a desperate 
object,  when  the  assault  was  first  discovered ; but  the  nature  of 
the  ground  rendered  it  almost  impossible.  By  superhuman  efforts, 
however,  all  of  the  fifth  battery  but  one  gun  were  saved,  leaving 
seven  guns  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Meanwhile  the  foe  advanced,  completely  turning  the  left  flank 
of  the  army,  and  pearing  the  pike  on  the  heights  above.  The  entire 
Union  force  was  by  this  time  aroused ; wagons,  ambulances,  and 
artillery  were  making  for  the  rear. 

The  nineteenth  corps  now  found  itself  confronted  by  the  second 
division  of  the  enemy,  which  liad  moved  up  the  pike  and  attacked 
it  fiercely  with  musketry  and  artillery.  They  continued  advancing, 
mounted  the  breast-works  in  front,  and  with  withering  volleys 
forced  back  the  whole  corps  in  retreat. 

The  appearance  of  the  field  at  this  Juncture  was  fairly  appalling; 
the  left  of  the  army  completely  turned,  half  the  Army  of  Western 
Virginia  flying  in  wild  dismay  through  the  fog,  the  remnant  still 
struggling  for  possession  of  the  pike,  the  nineteenth  corps  fighting 
as  it  retreated,  its  men  straggling  till  the  country  swarmed  with 
demoralized  soldiery.  The  evidences  of  utter  defeat  and  impending 


555 


Cedar  CreeJc^  Fa. 


disaster  on  every  side  might  have  shaken  the  hope  of  fanaticism 
itself. 

General  Wright,  beholding  the  dismal  aspect  of  things,  sent  to 
the  almost  invincible  sixtli  corps  to  change  front,  swing  around,  and 
stem  the  tide;  scarcely  a minute  elapsed,  when  its  columns  were 
seen  moving  majestically  into  the  heart  of  the  conflict.  For  an  iu- 
staiit  the  career  of  the  lebols  in  the  center  was  brought  to  a jiauso. 
This  brilliant  movement,  however,  could  not  check  tho  advance  on 
the  left.  The  rebel  infantry  had  just  swung  round  and  were  pos- 
sessing the  pike  above.  It  was  now  found  necessary  to  withdraw 
the  entire  line  some  distance,  iu  order  to  connect  with  the  cavalry, 
which  were  advancing  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the  point  they 
were  seizing.  The  foe  followed  this  movement  closely  and  venge- 
fully.  Their  bullets  rained  in  upon  the  artillery,  killing  horses  and 
men,  and  hindering  the  artillerymen  from  carrying  their  guns  to 
the  rear.  The  infantry  was  also  suffering  severely.  When  tho 
lines  reached  tho  crest  just  in  tho  rear  of  Middletown,  a second 
stand  was  made,  and  two  fearfully  terrific  charges  of  the  rebels 
wore  repulsed ; nearly  every  officer  of  tho  first  division  of  tho 
sixth  corps  was  wounded.  The  nineteenth  also  suffered  seriously. 

At  this  time,  although  the  appearance  of  tilings  in  the  rear  was 
still  adverse,  and  symptoms  of  retreat  were  manifested  along  cer- 
tain portions  of  tlie  line,  the  army  had  for  the  first  time  during  tho 
day  disjiosed  a consistent  and  wicldy  front  toward  tho  foe.  Tho 
results  of  tho  contest  were  otherwise  gloomy  in  the  extreme. 

The  enemy  had  now  relinquished  his  attack  and  contented  him- 
self with  a lively  use  of  artillery.  At  this  moment  a faint  cheer 
echoed  along  the  lino  in  tho  rear.  General  Sherid.^n  was  approach- 
ing at  tho  head  of  Crooks’  comm.and,  and  his  apiiearance  created 
wild  enthusiasm.  Ridijjg  along  tho  entire  front,  he  waved  his  hat, 
and  was  greeted  with  repeated  cheers.  Had  the  rebels  paused,  tho 
Army  of  Western  Virginia  would  have  fully  redeemed  its  morning 
retreat ; but  finding  their  master  had  come,  they  made  but  feeble 
effort  to  restore  tho  now  changed  fortunes  of  the  day.  They  fell 
back,  fleeing  before  their  pursuers;  until  their  scattered  masses 
were  changed  into  a labble  rout.  As  the  sun  sunk  behind  tho 
western  hills,  tho  Union  troops  poured  back  into  their  old  camps ; 
and  soon  a hundred  fires  blazed  again  over  tho  field  from  which 
they  fled  at  dawn. 

Tho  Union  batteries  were  now  placed  in  position  to  sweep  tho 
route  of  the  fugitives ; the  cavalry  pressed  hard  upon  them ; tho 


1? 


556  Darhytown,  '[Villiamshurg  lioad^  etc.^  Va. 

road  soon  became  crowded  witli  wagons,  ambulances,  and  guns, 
and  choked  with  fragments  of  broken  vehicles.  The  rebel  troops, 
in  total  disorder,  flew  to  the  fields  and  woods;  the  drivers  vainly 
urged  forward  their  horses,  they  shouted,  they  uttered  wild  impre- 
cations; but  every  moment  only  added  to  their  consternation  as 
the  Federal  cavalry  charged  upon  them.  All  was  lost  to  them  in 
this  indescribable  confusion.  Fifty-one  pieces  of  rebel  artillery, 
one  hundred  wagons  and  ambulances,  and  numerous  caissons  were 
wrested  from  the  vaiujnisheil  foe;  and  about  1,300  prisoners  iiickcd 
up  along  the  road. 

In  every  aspect,  the  victory  was  complete  and  decisive,  and  in- 
flicted a staggering  blow  upon  the  resources  of  the  Confederacy. 


DAUBYTOWN,  WILLIAMSBURG  ROAD,  AND 
HATCHER’S  RUN,  VA. 

OoToiiEit  27,  13G4. 

Unioniats^  under  Oenerul  Gninty  prohably  about  100,000.  Losies^  about  killed; 

1,500  acounded^  and  800  uxissing. 

DUunUmists^  und^r  General  Lcty  supposed  not  far  from  85,000.  Lossta  in  killed^ 

woundedy  and  missing,  estimated  at  about  1,G00. 

On  the  evening  of  Wednesday,  the  20th  of  October,  the  whole 
army  under  General  Grant  was  ordered  to  bo  ready  to  inarch  at 
daybreak,  the  following  morning.  This  movement  had  been  kept 
profoundly  secret  till  the  evening  of  its  announcement.  Prepara- 
tions commenced  at  once.  All  the  sick,  the  baggage,  the  commis- 
sary stores,  the  camp  equipage,  and  wagons  were  sent  back  to  City 
Point,  where  the^  would  be  safely  protected  by  the  gun  boats  and 
the  elaborate  works.  Three  days’  forage  and  rations  were  issued 
to  the  soldiery,  with  sufficient  quantities  of  ammunition.  Every- 
thing indicated  cutting  loose  from  the  base,  for  several  days,  and  a 
general  engagement,  provided  the  enemy  did  not  easily  repulse  tlio 
attack.  The  jilan  of  operations  consisted  of  a strong  feint  by  the 
Army  of  the  James  on  the  right,  and  a more  careful  attack  by  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  of  the  loft. 

' i)A.i:nYTOWN. 

The  movements  of  the  Army  of  the  James  were  as  follows:  At 
dawn  on  Thursday,  Terry’s  (tenth)  corps  moved  out  on  the  Darby- 
town  road,  also  extending  across  in  the  direction  of  the  Charles 
City  road.  On  reaching  the  hamlet  of  Darby  town,  four  and  a half 
miles  from  Kichmond,  a skirmish  lino  was  thrown  forward,  and  a 
sharp  encounter  with  the  enemy  took  place.  The  Federal  skirmish- 


Darhytown^  Williamshurg  Hoad,  etc.,  Fa.  557 

ers  easily  pushed  the  rebels  back,  but  came  at  length  upon  breast- 
works, and  were  checked  by  a galling  lire.  These  hostilities  occu- 
pied the  morning.  At  mid-day,  all  preparations  being  made,  tho 
main  advance  was  ordered,  and  the  Union  soldiers  dashed  briskly 
forward,  driving  the  enemy  inside  their  intrenchments,  from  which 
they  meantime  kept  up  a severe  fire.  The  Federal  troops  lay  well 
lip  to  the  enemy’s  lines,  and  with  great  persistency  exchanged  a 
constant  fusilade.  At  dusk,  the  firing  slackened,  and  soon  ceased. 

WILLIAMSBUEO  KO*D. 

Meanwhile  the  eighteenth  corps,  with  Kautz’s  cavalry  in  advance, 
came  up  in  the  rear  of  the  tenth  corps.  Continuing  its  advance, 
it  turned  to  the  right,  in  a northerly  direction,  and  reached  at 
length  the  famous  vicinity  of  the  Seven  Pines’  battle-ground. 
Thence  a movement  was  made  up  the  'Williamsburg  road,  which 
latter  the  enemy’s  works  commanded.  The  rebels  made  feeble  re- 
sistance to  the  advance,  until  the  troops  neared  their  works;  when 
they  opened  right  and  left  a murderous  cross-fire,  which  made  far- 
ther progress  impossible.  The  Federal  troops  held  tho  position 
some  minutes,  but  at  length  were  completely  broken.  Retreat  was 
now  hardly  more  practicable  than  advance ; for  the  enemy’s  artil- 
lery and  musketry  swept  the  ground.  In  this  moment  of  indecision, 
tho  disaster  was  completed  by  tho  rebels  sallying  out  of  their  in- 
trenchmeuts  and  capturing  tho  greater  part  of  tho  two  advance 
brigades.  Tho  battery  was  also  obliged  to  withdraw,  most  of  its 
guns  being  disabled.  It  now  became  apparent  that  the  enemy  was 
strong  enough  to  repel  the  opposing  force,  and  the  troops  were 
called  out  of  range.  They  retired  but  a short  distance,  however, 
bivouacking  for  the  night  close  to  the  rebel  position.  The  follow- 
ing morning,  orders  were  received  from  General  Grant  to  withdraw 
tho  force.  The  skirmishers  at  once  opened  their  rattling  fire, 
under  cover  of  which  the  troops  moved  out  toward  their  old  camps. 
The  entire  Union  loss  was  about  1,400,  many  being  prisoners.  Tho 
enemy  lost  no  prisoners,  and  claimed  less  than  200  in  killed  and 
wounded. 

iiatchee’s  eun. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  also,  active  preparations  for  the  great 
advance  were  going  on  in  tho  Army  of  tho  Potomac.  The  troops 
were  drawn  out  and  massed  ready  for  tho  start;  while  detach- 
ments from  each  corps  w'ero  left  for  tho  defense  of  tho  works,  and 
the  artillery  and  its  supports  properly  disposed.  Long  before  dawn 
of  Thursday,  all  the  troops  were  roused  and  tho  columns  on  tho 


558  Darhytown^  Williamshurg  Itoad^  etc.,  Va. 


marcli.  If.  was  decidetl  that,  Ilancock  and  Gregg  were  to  move 
Bccrctly  and  swiftly  far  round  tlio  enemy’s  right  flank,  turn  it,  and 
seize  the  rebel  line  of  defenses  on  Hatcher’s  Run  ; from  thence  the 
way  was  open  to  the  Southside  Railroad. 

Soon  after  daylight,  Gregg  encountered  some  videttes  of  Hamp- 
ton’s cavalry  at  Hatcher’s  Run,  who  occupied  intrenchments  cover- 
ing a bridge.  But  the  First  Maine,  armed  with  sixteen-shooters, 
forded  the  creek,  and  carried  the  works  after  a slight  skirmish, 
capturing  a few  prisoners^f  the  enemy’s  dismounted  cavalry.  A 
few  more  prisoners  and  eight  wagons  with  some  stores  were  seized, 
after  crossing  the  run.  About  seven  o’clock,  Thursday  morning, 
the  advance  of  the  second  corps  reached  the  ford  at  Hatcher’s  Run. 
They  crossed  in  gallant  style,  and  carried  the  trenches  very  quickly, 
capturing  about  twenty  prisoners.  The  crossing  being  accom- 
plished, the  corps  next  attempted  to  carry  the  rebel  works  beyond 
this  point.  The  enemy  stoutly  resisted  the  attacks  made  by  the 
Unionists  ; and  though  several  hundred  of  their  number  were  cap- 
tured, they  inflicted  a much  greater  loss  than  they  suffered. 

The  situation  of  the  Federal  troops  now  being  exceedingly  pre- 
carious, a retrograde  movement  was  commenced,  and  the  following 
day  they  regained  their  old  camps,  few  casualties  having  occurred 
during  the  withdrawal.  The  Ufiionists  lost  in  the  day’s  engage- 
ment about  1,300  men.  The  rebel  loss  was  reported  at  from  800 
to  1,200. 

The  fifth  and  ninth  corps  broke  camp  on  Wednesday  the  26th, 
and  moved  forward  in  the  gray  twilight  of  Thursday  morning. 
Their  task  was  to  attack  the  Hatcher’s  Run  works  in  front,  so  as  to 
cover  the  movement  of  the  second  corp.s,  and  co-operate  therewith. 
Their  march,  unlike  that  of  the  second  corps,  was  short.  During 
the  forenoon,  they  got  into  position,  confronting  the  strong  works 
at  the  run.  They  advanced  with  spirit,  but  found  them  too  strong 
to  pierce.  Though  unsuccessful  in  carrying  the  intrenchments, 
they  maintained  their  position  through  the  night,  and  till  General 
(irant  onlered  their  return,  the  movement  having  failed  of  success. 
Tlie  total  loss  in  the  two  corps  was  about  400.  The  enemy’s  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  was  not  given;  the  loss  in  prisoners  was 
variously  reported  at  from  400  to  800. 


559 


Graharj^sviUc,  Pocotalhjo,  etc.,  S.  C. 

GEAHAMSVILLE,  POCOTALIGO,  ETC.,  S.  C. 

November  29  to  December  T,  1864. 

XTnioniaU^  under  Otntral  Foatcr^  8,000  to  4,000.  from  1,200  to  1,500. 

DieunionUtSy  under  various  leaders^  mfcfcr  8,000.  LosseSy  not  reported. 

An  important  ex[)eclitioii  to  co-operato  with  General  Bljerman — - 
who  was  about  setting  out  from  Atlanta  for  a campaign  across 
northern  Georgia — moved  from  Port  Royal  on  the  morning  of  No- 
vember 29th,  its  immediate  object  being  to  cut  the  railroad  com- 
munications between  Charleston  and  Savannah.  General  Foster 
commanded  the  expedition — which  comprised  ten  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, a battalion  of  cavalry,  and  two  batteries  of  artillery,  together 
with  a naval  brigade,  the  latter  under  the  superintendence  of  Ad- 
miral Dahlgren.  General  Ilatch  superintended  the  land  forces,  ono 
brigade  being mnder  General  Potter,  the  other  under  Colonel  Hart- 
well. Commander  Preble  led  the  naval  brigade.  The  entire  forcp 
was  from  3,000  to  4,000  strong. 

They  moved  up  Broad  River,  and  arrived  at  Boyd’s  Point  soon 
after  daylight.  The  Fifty-fifth  Massachusetts  landed  first,  and  at 
once  struck  into  the  country  for  half  a mile  in  skirmish  formation, 
to  cover  the  landing  and  to  reconnoiter.  The  naval  brigade  landed 
next,  and  marched  off  on  the  Coosahatchie  road,  followed  by  some 
of  the  infantry.  Considerable  skirmishing  attended  the  advance. 
The  Union  troops,  however,  were  quite  ignorant  of  the  ground,  and 
lacked  efficient  guides  ; and,  instead  of  reaching  the  railroad,  were 
compelled  to  withdraw  at  night  from  their  most  advanced  point. 
The  next  day,  however,  the  march  was  resumed,  and  after  sharp 
artillery  firing  the  troops  pressed  on  to  the  enemy’s  position  near 
Grahamsville.  The  works  at  this  point  were  very  strong,  and  the 
position  was  excellent  for  defense. 

A desperate  engagement  of  six  hours’'  duration  ensued,  the 
Unionists  charging  the  works  with  great  gallantry,  and  very  nearly 
carrying  them.  But  at  length  the  rebels  were  reinforced,  and  it 
was  found  impossible  to  contend  against  these  new  troops,  as  the 
enemy  were  nearly  equal  in  numbers  and  fought  behind  intrench- 
ments.  The  Federal  forces  w'ere  consequently  withdrawn  to  a 
good  position  on  the  Savannah  ro.ad,  their  losses  being  740. 

Sunday,  the  4th,  an  Ohio  regiment  captured  a two-guii  battery, 
while  on  a scout  toward  Pocotaligo.  Two  days  later  a more  suc- 
cessful expedition  was  started.  General  Potter  led  his  troops  up 
toward  the  Savannah  Railroad  a second  time,  and  had  a severe 


560 


Franklin,  Tenn.  « 


contest  with  the  foe,  in  which  tlie  latter  were  defeated.  Wednes- 
day morning,  the  Ytli,  the  enemy  attacked  the  Federal  position  at 
different  points.  But  after  a sharp  series  of  skirmishes  they  were 
driven  hack  to  within  a mile  of  the  railroad.  The  loss  was  about 
equal  on  both  sides,  and  probably  did  not  exceed  60.  Meanwhile 
seven  gun-boats  ascended  the  river  and  opened  a heavy  fire.  A 
force  was  landed  and  an  action  ensued  near  Pocotaligo  bridge, 
which  resulted  in  important  advantage  to  the  Unionists. 

FRANKLIN,  TENN. 

Novembek  so,  1864. 

Unionists,  under  General  Sulwjield,  alout  25,000.  Losses,  killed,  iS9-,  wounded, 
1,033  ; missing,  1,104. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Hood,  50,000.  Losses,  killed,  1,750  ; wounded,  8,800  ; 
prisoners,  702. 

On  the  morning  of  November  30th,  the  Union  troops  under 
General  Schofield  occupied  Franklin,  a town  eighteen  miles  south 
of  Nashville.  The  Big  Ilarpeth  River,  a tributary  of  the  Cumber- 
land, so  bends  as  to  more  than  half  surround  the  place,  leaving 
only  the  west  and  south  exposed.  The  design  of  General  Schofield 
was  to  move  his  trains  across  the  Big  Ilarpeth  River,  and  away  to 
Nashville;  while  General  Hood’s  object  was  to  attack  before  the 
movement  could  be  effected,  and  either  defeat  the  Union  general, 
or  force  him  to  sacrifice  his  artillery  and  stores. 

During  the  morning,  active  skirmishing  was  kept  up.  Mean- 
while, Hood  brought  up  his  troops  and  massed  them  with  Stewart’s 
corps  on  the  right,  and  Cheatham’s  on  the  left.  Leo’s  corps  was 
in  reserve.  He  then  rode  along  the  lines,  assuring  his  men  that 
the  Federal  lines  were  weak,  and  that  once  broken,  Tennessee 
would  soon  be  freed  from  the  invaders. 

At  four  o’clock  p.m.  the  rebel  force  moved  forward.  The  Union 
skirmishers  sullenly  dropped  back,  step  by  step,  to  the  works,  ex- 
changing a rattling  fire  with  the  skirmishers  of  the  foe.  The  long 
dense  lines  of  the  latter  quickly  advanced,  and  were  greeted  by  a 
tremendous  roar  of  musketry  from  the  entire  front.  It  was  in- 
stantly answered  by  a similar  roll  from  the  enemy’s  line,  his  men 
dashing  forward  with  frantic  yells.  Tliey  struggled  bravely  on, 
amid  a tempest  of  shot  and  shell.  At  length  a division  gained  the 
outer  works ; and,  bursting  over  them,  drove  back  the  opposing 
division.  Re-forming  their  line,  the  rebels  again  swept  forward, 
and  after  a fierce  struggle  forced  their  way  inside  the  second  line, 
capturing  two  guns. 


JOHN  M’ALLISTER  SCHOFIELD, 

Major-Gen.  Vols.,  born  in  Chautautinc  Go.,  N.  Y.,  Scfit.  29, 182I.  llcinovcd 
to  111.  Graduated  at  AVest  Point  in  June,  185.2  ; entered  the  army  aS  Ibevet 
2d  Lieut,  of  2d  Art.,  1st  July,  185.2  ; full  2d  T.ieut.,  1855  ; 1st  r>ieut.,  1858  ; 
Capt.  1st  Art.,  May  14,  ’Cl  ; Adjfc.-Gen.  to  Gen.  Ijj'on,  in  battle  of  Wilson’.s 
Creek,  Mo'.,  Aug.  9,  ’Gl.  ]?rig.-Gcn.  of  Vols.,  Nov^  21,  ’G1  ; commanded 
Militia  iir  Mo.  and  Ark.  from  that  date  to  May  2G,  ’G3  ; commander  of  Dep't 
of  the  West  from  M.ay  2G,  ’G3,  to  Feb.,  ’G4  ; Maj.-Gcn.  A^ols.  and  commander 
Army  of  the  Ohio,  Feb.,  ’G4 ; took  part  in  most  of  the  battles  of  Atlanta 
campaign,  being  generally  on  the  right  wing.  In  Nov.,  ’G4,  returned  to  Tcnn., 
and  conducted  the  retreat  from  Pulaski  to  Columbia,  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
in  Nov., ’G  l.  Fought  and  defeated  Flood  at  Franklin,  Nov.  30, ’G4.  Took 
an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15-lG,  ’G4.  In  .Tan.,  ’G5,  came 
East  with  his  corps,  and  fought  his  way  from  Fort  Caswell  to  AVilmington  ; 
captured  AVilmington  Feb.  21,  and  Kinston  in  March;  entered  Goldsboro, 
March  21,’G5,and  subscquentlj',  April  10,  Smithficld,  and  April  12,  Raleigh, 
where  he  was  made  Alilitary  Governor  of  N.  C.  On  the  27th  of  June,  ’G5,  he 
was  appointed  to  the  command  -of  Dej)’t  of  N.  C. 


I 

1 


Ifashville,  Tcnn.  563 

At  this  critical  juncture,  General  Stanley,  placing  himself  at  the 
head  of  a brigade,  rushed  with  great  spirit  against  such  of  tlio 
rebels  as  had  gained  the  works,  retook  the  guns,  and  cx[)elle(l  tire 
enemy  after  a close  hand-to-hand  encounter.  Again  and  again  at  dif- 
ferent points  the  baffled  foe  surged  up  with  wonderful  bravery  and 
tenacity  against  the  work.s,  hoping  to  regain  his  foothold,  but  .all  in 
vain.  Darkness  fell  before  the  conflict  ended,  and  the  desultory 
firing  continued  till  nine  o’clock.  General  Schofield  then  (juictly 
resumed  the  retreat  to  Nashville,  which  he  had  previously  resolved 
upon,  and  met  with  little  molestation.  The  total  Union  loss  in  the 
affair  was  2,326.  The  rebel  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  5,550, 
besides  702  prisoners. 


NASHVILLE,  TENN. 

Deoemdku  1 TO  16, 1864. 

Vnionisis,  under  General  Thomas,  over  60,000.  Losses,  about  6,500. 

Disrunionists,  under  General  Hood,  45,000.  Losses,  over  23,000. 

After  the  battle  of  Franklin,  the  enemy  pushed  his  troops 
against  Nashville,  and  besieged  the  city  on  the  southerly  side.  This 
movement  exposed  many  of  the  small  Union  garrisons  below 
Nashville;  and  flood  sent  out  detachments  of  his  troops,  and  some 
hard  fighting  took  place  at  these  points. 

Friday,  December  2d,  though  it  rained  all  d.ay,  there  was  con- 
stant skirmishing  at  Nashville  between  the  cavalry  forces.  The 
enemy  developed  a complete  line  encircling  the  city,  and  threw  up 
intrenchments  across  all  the  roads  south  of  it,  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  distant.  In  this  process,  cavalry  fighting  occurred  on 
the  Franklin  pike,  and  the  Union  skirmishers  were  everywhere 
driven  in  with  loss.  The  same  day  a party  of  raiders  dashed  into 
Gallatin  and  captured  several  hundred  head  of  cattle.  About  noon 
Forrest’s  cavalry  made  a descent  upon  the  Union  garrison  at  stock- 
ade No.  2,  on  Mill  Creek.  The  garrison  was  but  232  strong,  prin- 
cipally colored  troops,  under  Colonel  Johnson.  Three  batteries 
were  opened  upon  them,  and  the  firing  continued  till  the  following 
morning.  By  this  time  the  stockade  was  badly  riddled,  and  the 
brave  garrison  much  enfeebled.  Colonel  Johnson  then  withdrew, 
and  escaped  to  N.ashville,  having  lost  115  men. 

On  Saturday,  the  3d,  the  rebel  line  at  Nashville  was  plainly  visi- 
ble, and  the  troops  were  busily  fortifying.  All  the  afternoon  and 
evening  heavy  skirmishing  was  going  on,  the  Unionists  emi)loying 


I 


p 


564  JVashville,  Tenn. 

both  musketry  and  artillery.  I>y  the  4th,  the  Federal  army  num- 
bered 50,000,  General  Thomas  having  been  rointbreed  by  Steed- 
man’s  strong  command  and  other  garrisons  whieh  had  come  in. 
Their  line  exteftded  a length  of  five  miles. 

Hood’s  army  was  nearly  60,000,  but  Thomas  had  the  advantage 
both  of  numbers  and  position.  There  was  much  skirmishing  and 
considerable  cannonading  and  sharp-shooting  during  Sunday,  the 
4th,  and  many  casualties  occurred  on  both  sides.  The  whole  week 
succeeding  was  occupied  by  the  same  round  of  cannonading  and 
skirmishing.  On  the  7th,  Milroy  attacked  the  enemy’s  position  on 
the  Wilkinson  pike,  and  after  a sharp  engagement  routed  him  and 
drove  him  away.  Eighteen  officers  and  about  200  mon  were  cap- 
tured. The  Union  loss  was  205  killed  and  wounded. 

Wednesday,  the  14th,  Gen.  Thomas  resolved  to  assume  the  offen- 
sive and  break  up  the  siege.  Hood,  perceiving  his  intentions,  fell 
back  to  a stronger  position  a mile  in  the  rear,  and  occupied  intreneh- 
ments  on  the  range  of  Granny  White  Hills.  The  next  day,  the 
Union  troops  were  ready  for  this  new  change  of  position,  and 
marched  out  to  assault  the  enemy.  Steedman’s  corps  held  the  left, 
the  fourth  corps  the  left  center,  and  A.  J.  Smith’s  the  right  center. 
The  cavalry  moved  to  the  right,  and  the  twenty-third  corps  was 
held  in  reserve.  Reconnoitering  lasted  till  noon-day ; wlien,  at 
121  o’clock,  the  order  to  advance  was  given,  and  the  whole  column 
moved  onward.  The  enemy  expected  Thomas  would  attempt  to 
turn  their  left  flank,  and  accordingly  prepared  to  receive  him. 
Steedman  skirmished  heavily  on  their  left,  in  order  to  keep  up  the 
delusion.  While  the  latter  was  maneuvering,  the  rebels  were  mass- 
ing on  their  right,  and  General  Thomas’  forces  were  concentrating 
on  the  Union  right.  The  result  was,  that  when  the  bugles  sounded 
the  advance,  the  Federal  right  wing  pushed  forward  between  the 
rebel  left  and  the  Cumberland,  completely  doubling  up  a division 
of  the  enemy  posted  to  blockade  the  river. 

The  rebels  now  perceived  that  the  attack  on  the  right  was  a feint, 
and  Hood  attempted  too  late  to  atone  for  his  mistake.  The  Union 
right  had  established  a force  on  the  main  hank  of  the  river,  and 
were  rapidly  advancing.  In  about  an  hour  the  enemy  presented  a 
strong  front,  and  for  a moment  checked  the  advance  of  the  Union- 
ists. It  was  now  evident  that  the  contest  was  at  hand.  Another 
diversion  was  made  on  the  left,  to  enable  the  right  to  get  into  posi- 
tion for  a charge.  The  fourth  corps  was  confronted  by  a strong 
line  of  rebel  works  defended  by  a heavy  line  of  skirmishers.  Its 


DAVID  S.  STANLEY, 


iM;ijor-(lc'n.  ^'()ls.,  horn  in  Cedar  Yulley,  AV'^nync  Co.,  Oliio,  June  J,18'28;  j 

coinincnecd  the  study  of  medicine  in  1847,  hut  entered  We.st  I’oint  the  ne.xt  i 

year,  and  fri-juluatcd  in  1852,  8th  in  Ins  class,  llrevct  2d-I,ieut.  2(1  Dragoons  ; j 

2d-rdeut.,  1853;  Ist-Lieut.  1st  Cav.,  IMarcli,  1 855  ; was  on  the  hoiaDr  in  ; 

New  .Me.xico,  Te.xas,  Missouri  (now  Dakotali)  'I’erritories,  &c.,  and  had  several  •; 

i engagcineids  with  tlie  Indians,  1853  to  18G1 ; March  IG,  18G1,  Capt.  4th  Cav.,  ; 

and  removed  U.  S.  garrisons  in  Te.xas  to  liCavenwortli,  Kansas.  In  battles  of 
I Dug  Spring  and  Wilson's  Creek,  Mo.,  Aug.,  18G1;  l?rig.-Ccn.  Yols.,  Sept.  i 
28,  18G1  ; in  siege  of  New  Madrid,  Island  No.  10,  and  Coriidh,  hatth.'S  of  | 

•;  Iidni,  Se[d.  ID,  18G2,  and  Corinth,  Oct.  3 and  4,  18G2  ; made  llcjsecrans’s  ;■ 

j Chief  of  Cavalry,  Nov.  18G2.  Distinguished  himself  at  Slone  River,  Dec.  31 , ( 

i 18G2;  Maj.-Gcn.  Yols.,  dating  from  Nov.  29,  18G2;  participated  in  pursuit  ( 

; of  llragg.  Summer  of  1863  ; in  battle  of  Chickamauga,  ,Sept.  1 9 and  20, 18G3  ; ; 

')  Mi.ssion  Ridge,  Nov.  25, 18G3  ; Kno.xville,  Dec.  4,  18G3.  lie  continued  to  I 

) command  a Div.  in  the  4th  Corps  till  Aug.,  18G4,  when  he  was  made  com-  } 

mander  of  that  Corps,  tv'ce  Howard,  jiromoted.  lie  took  part  in  all  the  hat-  ’■ 

) ties  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  in  Nov.  returned  to  Tennessee,  and,  in  the  j 

battle  of  Franklin,  Nov.  30,  leading  a charge  in  person,  was  severely  wounded.  ; 

{ lie  resumed  the  command  of  his  corps  in  the  AVinter,  but  Avas  unable  to  engage  ; 

) in  active  service.  { 


Nashville,  Tenn. 


5G7 


cointnaiuler  ordered  a cliarge,  and  witli  promptncaa  and  decision 
the  men  leaped  over  tlie  breast-works  and  advanced.  In  less  than 
twenty  minutes,  the  Union  force  liad  possession  of  the  rebel  works, 
and  the  flag  of  freedom  floated  proudly  over  the  conquest.  The 
victors,  flushed  with  their  success,  without  orders,  pushed  forward 
and  reached  the  second  line  of  works  by  most  strenuous  ezertion, 
capturing  some  prisoners,  which  with  those  previously  taken 
amounted  to  1,000. 

The  second  line  of  intrenchments,  now  in  sight,  was  located  on  ' 
the  verge  of  a hill,  a mile  beyond  the  skirmish  line.  Some  time 
elapsed  before  the  Union  troops  got  into  position  to  advance.  At 
five  o’clock,  the  charge  began.  Under  a heavy  fire  of  musketry, 
grape,  and  canister,  they  moved  steadily  forward.  After  approach- 
ing within  150  yards  of  the  intrenchments,  the  enemy’s  fire  doubled 
its  fury.  Still  there  was  no  faltering ; but,  with  cheers  along  the 
line,  the  Unionists  advanced  to  within  100  yards  of  the  works.  Re- 
inforcements were  in  sight,  yet  the  rebels  evinced  no  signs  of 
retreating,  and  discharged  volley  after  volley  into  the  Federal  ranks 
at  a distance  of  only  twenty-five  yards.  A fragment  of  the  assault- 
ing party  had  now  reached  the  works  and  were  using  the  bayonet; 
when  a few  of  the  enemy  fled,  others  followed,  and  soon  all  broke 
and  fled  in  the  wildest  confusion.  In  this  charge  900  prisoners 
were  captured,  three  guns,  two  c.aissons,  and  many  sinall-arms. 

Smith’s  and  Schofield’s  corps  in  the  mean  time  had  advanced 
half  a mile  to  the  south  of  Hillsboro’  pike,  capturing  a battery 
of  six  guns.  On  the  extreme  left,  five  guns  were  taken,  making 
the  total  of  artillery  captured  for  the  day,  fifteen  guns.  The  entire 
rebel  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  during  the  engagement  was  esti- 
mated at  700 ; the  Union  loss  was  not  far  from  the  same. 

During  the  desperate  and  heroic  charge  of  the  infantry,  the  gun- 
boat fleet  were  engaged  down  the  river,  about  fourteen  miles  from 
the  city,  shelling  the  enemy’s  left;  the  cavalry  dismounted,  swept 
the  foe  from  the  river,  and  the  artillery  was  also  effectually  em- 
ployed. 

During  the  night  of  the  15th,  dispositions  on  both  sides  were 
made  for  a renewal  of  the  battle ; and  at  eight  o’clock  in  the 
morning  of  the  16th  it  opened  with  a tremendous  roar  of  artillery 
from  all  the  Union  batteries.  The  line  was  essentially  the  same  as 
on  the  previous  day.  IVilson’s  cavalry  covered  the  right,  Scho- 
field’s corps  came  next ; then  A.  J.  Smith’s  corps ; on  the  left  of 
the  latter,  Wood’s  corps;  and  finally,  Steedinan’s  command  held 


5G8  Savannah,  Oa. 

the  extreme  left.  The  entire  line  moved  forward  ; but,  as  before, 
Schofield  and  Smith  inarched  out  on  the  enemy’s  left.  Wood’s 
corps  at  once  became  liotly  engaged  with  the  enemy’s  advance, 
and  for  a time  was  exposed  to  sucli  a withering  fire,  that  his  men 
fell  back  in  disorder.  But  relief  soon  came  from  the  right,  which, 
under  Schofield  and  Smith,  once  more  rushed  over  tlie  rebel  left, 
and  swept  the  foe  from  their  vforks,  completely  turning  their  left 
flank.  Again  Wood  and  Steedman  made  a desperate  attack  on  the 
enemy’s  right,  which  for  two  days  had  resisted  all  assaults,  tena- 
ciously holding  its  position  while  the  rest  of  the  lino  had  yielded. 

Post’s  brigade,  supported  by  two  colored  brigades,  moved  forward 
under  a tremendous  fire  from  the  enemy’s  guns ; steadily  advanc- 
ing, they  ascended  the  hill,  a perfect  tempest  of  missiles  tearing 
through  their  ranks.  The  colored  troops  vied  with  the  white  in 
the  persistency  with  which  they  forced  their  way  up  the  acclivity. 
Thousands  of  the  men,  in  endeavoring  to  pass  round  to  the  left,  met 
a terrible  flank  fire  which  confused  their  ranks.  The  men  on  the 
right  paused  an  instant;  and  at  this  juncture.  Colonel  I’ost  was 
mortally  wounded.  In  a moment  all  was  lost,  and  his  command 
rushed  back  confused  and  bleeding  to  the  lino  from  which  they 
started.  General  Wood  soon  re-formed  his  broken  battalions,  and 
issued  orders  for  the  renewal  of  tlie  assault. 

Post’s  veterans  again  essayed  the  hill,  and  the  colored  troops 
moved  on  the  rebel  right.  The  enemy  blazed  forth  anew  ; but  it 
was  their  expiring  effort.  The  Federal  soldiers  jiressed  forward 
unflinchingly,  carried  the  entire  works  with  all  their  guns,  and 
drove  the  foe  in  dismay  from  their  position.  Night  fell  on  a field 
strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying,  and  all  the  wreck  of  a furious 
battle. 

The  fruits  of  the  conflict  were  13,189  prisoners,  2,207  deserters, 
30  guns,  and  7,000  small-arms.  The  entire  Union  loss  was  esti- 
mated at  about  6,500,  while  that  of  the  enemy  was  believed  to  be 
over  23,000. 



SAVANNAH,  GA. 

December  15  to  21, 1864. 

XJiuonisUf  under  General  Sheinnan^  ahooe  60,000.  Total  loss  during  the  siege^ 
400. 

Disunionists^  under  General  Hardee^  15,000.  Loss^  during  the  6iege^  in  killed 
and  wounded^  600  to  COO  ; in  prison-era^  over  1,000. 

Between  the  10th  and  13th  of  November,  General  Sherman 
moved  out  his  troops  from  Atlanta,  Borne,  and  Kingston,  breaking 


Savannah,  Go. 


5G9 


up  his  headquarters  at  tlie  latter  point.  Tliese  places  were  effec- 
tually swept  of  all  the  property  and  buildings  that  could  aid  the 
enemy.  • Many  car-loads  of  stores  and  material  were  sent  hack  to 
Chattanooga,  others  loaded  for  the  expedition,  and  the  surplus  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  The  railroad  as  far  as  Dalton  was  torn  up,  and  the 
rolling  stock  burnt  or  removed.  All  factories,  railroad  stations, 
and  public  buildings  in  the  adjoining  region  were  also  burned. 

General  Sherman  was  su[)plied  with  all  the  artillery,  infantry, 
and  cavalry  that  ho  desired,  the  outfit  of  the  soldiery  was  particu- 
larly adapted  to  a severe  and  rapid  winter  campaign,  and  the  morale 
of  the  troops  unequaled.  The  entire  army  was  between  50,000 
and  60,000  strong,  composed  of  men  accustomed  to  terminate 
long  marches  and  great  battles  in  decisive  victories.  It  consisted, 
first,  of  the  fifteenth,  seventeenth,  fourteenth,  and  twentieth  in- 
fantry corps,  respectively  commanded  by  Generals  Osterhaus, 
Blair,  Davis,  and  'Williams.  The  two  latter  corps  were  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  General  Slocum,  the  two  former 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  General  Howard.  Tlext 
came  Kilpatrick’s  large  body  of  cavalry,  and  finally  came  a brigade 
of  artillery. 

The  army  marched  in  two  wings,  the  right  under  Howard,  the 
left  under  Slocum,  with  a cavalry  advance  for  each.  On  tlie  14th, 
the  columns  were  well  in  motion.  Howard  marched  tlii-ougli  East- 
port,  driving  off  with  his  cav.alry  advance  the  enemy's  mounted 
troops  under  Iverson,  and  ultimately  arrived  at  Jonesboro’  on  the 
16th.  Thence  he  advanced  to  McDonough  and  to  Griffin,  repuls- 
ing a body  of  rebel  cavalry  under  Wheeler  at  Bear's  Hill.  The 
enemy  retreated  to  Griffin,  ten  miles  distant.  Howard’s  cavalry 
next  went  down  to  Forsyth,  and  there  cut  the  railroad  to  Macon. 
Meanwhile  the  infantry  column  marched  easterly,  arriving  atMon- 
ticello  and  Hillsboro’  on  the  20th,  having  crossed  the  Ocmulgco  at 
Planter’s  Factory  the  previous  day.  On  the  same  day  Howard 
entered  Milledgeville,  the  capital  of  Georgia,  and  burned  its  capitol, 
penitentiary,  and  other  public  buildings. 

Meanwhile  the  cavalry  had  moved  to  Griswoldville,  and  thence 
to  Gordon  where  they  again  encountered  Wheeler,  and  a sharp  en- 
gagement followed,  in  which  the  latter  was  repulsed. 

While  the  right  wing  was  thus  advancing,  the  left  under  Slocum 
moved  out  from  Atlanta  to  Decatur  and  proceeded  to  Covington. 
Its  march  was  comparatively  unobstructed.  On  Thursday,  the  I7th, 
it  reached  Social  Circle,  and  there  destroyed  the  depot.  Still 

29 


570 


Savannah^  Ga. 


keeping  on  the  Georgia  Railroad,  Slocum  directed  his  course  toward 
Augusta.  On  the  19th  he  reached  Madison,  and  there  resumed 
his  work  of  destruction ; thence  a detachment  of  cavalry  crossed 
the  Oconee,  and  the  following  day  arrived  at  Greensboro’.  From 
the  latter  point  they  pushed  on  to  Union  Point. 

Slocum’s  main  force,  however,  did  not  cross  the  Oconee  near  the 
Georgia  Railroad ; but,  liaving  paused  at  Madison,  marched  along 
the  west  bank  of  the  stream  to  Eatonton,  and  from  this  point  ad- 
vanced to  klilledgeville,  where  he  effected  a junction  with  Howard. 
The  army  remained  at  Milledgevillo  from  the  20th  to  the  2-lth,  and 
then  struck  off  toward  Sandersville,  arriving  there  on  the  2Gth.  The 
Oconee  had  now  been  crossed  by  both  wings,  but  the  Ogeechee  was 
before  them.  This  stream  was  passed  at  Fen's  Bridge,  in  the  march 
from  Sandersville  ; and  the  next  halt  was  made  at  Louisville.  A de- 
tachment of  cavalry  was  sent  out  from  this  point,  and  there  was 
heavy  skirmishing  between  this  advance  and  Wheeler’s  cavalry  on 
the  28th  and  the  29th.  The  main  army  remained  near  Louisville 
until  December  1st.  Still  unchecked,  the  Union  forces  marched  on 
to  Millen,  their  advance  reaching  the  latter  point  December  2d.  A 
severe  fight  occurred  on  the  following  day  between  Kilpatrick  and 
'Wheeler,  the  latter  being  the  attacking  party.  As  in  former  in- 
stances, AVheeler  was  repulsed.  The  next  morning,  the  Union  cav- 
alry and  the  fourteenth  corps  attacked  him  in  his  breast-works  and 
drove  him  out,  capturing  the  works,  and  forcing  the  rebels  to 
retreat. 

From  Millen,  Sherman  prosecuted  his  march  with  great  vigor, 
down  the  swampy  country  between  the  Ogeechee  and  Savannah 
rivers,  aiming  directly  at  Savannah.  On  Saturday,  the  10th, 
Sherman  reached  Blooraingdale,  only  fifteen  miles  from  his  destina- 
tion. Another  day  passed,  and  he  was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle 
only  five  miles  from  Savannah. 

The  siege  of  the  city  opened  with  the  brilliant  storming  of  Fort 
McAllister  on  the  evening  of  December  18th.  This  strong  point 
was  gained,  with  all  its  garrison,  gnus,  and  stores,  with  the  loss  of 
only  ninety  men.  The  rebel  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  slill 
loss.  The  next  work  presenting  itself  was  the  removal  of  the  ob- 
structions in  the  Ogeechee.  Tliis  was  also  speedily  accomplished, 
and  the  fleet  p.as.scd  u[)  the  tortuous  stream.  Mean  while  the  troops 
were  everywhere  pressing  their  lines  toward  the  city.  Elated  with 
success,  and  inspired  with  confidence  in  their  leader,  there  in- 
stantly sprung  up  a generous  rivalry  which  corps  or  division  should 


HENRY  WAllNER  SLOCUM, 

Major-Gen.  Vols.,  born  in  Delphi,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  24, 1827  ; graduated  at  West 
Point,  June,  18.72,  seventh  in  his  class.  Itrevet  2d-I;ieut.  1st  iN.rtillery,  July, 
1852  ; Ist-Lieut.,  Marcli  3d,  1855  ; resigned  Oct.  31,  185G.  May  21,  18G1, 
Col.  27th  N.  Y.  Yols. ; fought  at  Bull  Run.  Brig.-Gcn.  Yols.,  Aug.  3, 18G1  ; 
in  Army  of  Potomac,  McDowell’s  Corps,  to  April,  18G2  ; commanded  1st 
Div.  Cth  Army  Corps,  April  and  May.  In  battle  of  West  Point,  May  7, 
18G2  ; in  battle  of  Gaines’  Mill,  .Iuiki  27  ; in  liattles  under  Gen.  I’o|ie,  Aug., 
18G2.  Major-Gen.  Vols.,  dating  from  .July,  18G2  ; coinnianded  12th  Corps. 
In  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  May  1-4,  18G3,  distinguished  himself.  Com- 
manded on  the  right  wing  at  Gettysburg,  July  1-3,  18G3  ; ordered  West  in 
Sept.,  1863;  in  command  of  A'icksburg  till  Aug.,  18G4;  coin'd  20th  Army 
Corps  at  evacuation  of  Atlanta  ; in  campaign  of  Savannah  and  the  Carolinas, 
held  command  of  left  wing  of  Sherman's  army,  ae.d  participated  in  all  the 
battles.  On  the  27th  of  June,  1865,  ordered  to  the  command  of  Department 
of  Mississippi,  headquarters  at  Y^icksburg. 


573 


Savannah,  Ga. 


first  reach  the  doomed  capital.  Torpedoes,  planted  by  the  enemy, 
were  removed  by  Sherman’s  device  of  putting  the  prisoners  in  the 
front,  who,  knowing  best  where  the  machines  were  buried,  could 
be  all  the  more  useful  in  disinterring  them.  Meanwhile,  Kilpat- 
rick’s cavalry  and  an  infantry  support  moved  down  the  Savannah, 
Albany,  and  Gulf  road. 

The  north,  west.,  and  south  sides  were  speedily  seized  by  the 
Union  general,  and  the  city  so  far  invested.  But  the  east  side  was 
difficult  of  approach.  The  enemy  commanded  the  river  with  his 
batteries,  and  had  so  filled  the  main  ship  channel  and  the  south 
channel  with  piles  and  sunken  vessels,  that  the  fleet  could  not  ad- 
vance. Three  forts  also  swept  the  east  side  with  their  guns.  But, 
above  all,  a wide  stretch  of  swamps  and  rice-fields,  artificially  and 
skillfully  flooded,  made  the  approach  extremely  arduous.  So  vig- 
orously, however,  had  Sherman  begun  his  work,  that  the  comman- 
der of  the  city  took  the  alarm,  and  evacuated  it  with  hardly  a show 
of  defense. 

On  the  IGth,  General  Sherman  made  a formal  demand  for  the 
surrender  of  Savannah.  The  next  day  General  Uardee  replied 
that  as  his  communications  were  yet  open,  and  he  was  fully  sup- 
plied with  subsistence  stores,  he  was  able  to  withstand  a long 
siege,  and  was  determined  to  hold  the  city  to  the  last.  The  com- 
mander of  the  Union  forces  now  pushed  forward  hi.s  work  with 
renewed  energy.  By  the  19th,  his  base  at  Kingsbridge  was  estab- 
lished, and  supplies  came  up  freely  from  the  fleet,  over  a corduroy 
road  built  rapidly  through  the  almost  impassable  swamp  that  inter- 
vened. Heavy  siege  guns  were  transported  by  the  same  route  and 
fixed  on  the  lines,  and  soon  the  whole  city  was  in  imminent  danger. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  the  enemy’s  iron-dads  moved  up 
the  river  and,  supported  by  many  of  their  batteries,  opened  a furious 
fire  on  the  Union  left.  Under  cover  of  this  fire,  Uardee  crossed 
his  troops  by  means  of  steamboats,  small  boats,  and  rafts  to  Union 
Causeway.  The  navy  yard  had  been  previously  burned  in  part, 
and  such  stores  as  he  could  not  carry  with  him  destroyed.  Two 
formidable  rams  were  blown  up  at  night.  Early  next  morning, 
December  21st,  Sherman  entered  Savannah,  and  received  its  sur- 
render from  the  Mayor.  It  was  uninjured,  the  Union  cannon  never 
having  opened  upon  it.  The  city  was  at  once  put  in  charge  of 
provost-guards,  and  all  the  rights  of  property  held  sacred.  It  was 
crowded  to  excess  with  people  who  had  fled  hither  from  the  inte- 
rior, and  many  Union  prisoners  were  found  and  released.  More 


574 


Fort  Fialier^  N.  O. 


than  a thousand  prisoners  were  taken  from  the  foe,  manj  having 
been  left  on  tlie  linos  till  too  late.  The  captures  included  150  guns, 
13  locomotives,  190  cars,  a large  supply  of  ammunition  and  mate- 
rials of  war,  three  steamers,  and  33,000  bales  of  cotton  safely 
stored  in  warehouses.  These  valuable  fruits  of  an  almost  blood- 
less victory  were  fairly  won.  The  release  of  20,000  slaves  also 
may  be  added  to  the  gains  of  the  expedition.  The  Union  loss 
during  the  entire  siege  did  not  exceed  400.  The  rebels  lost  in 
this  time  over  1,000  prisoners,  and  from  500  to  COO  killed  and 
wounded. 


FOKT  FISHER,  N.  C. 

Decbmbeb  23  TO  26,  1864. 

Unionists : naval  force,  under  Rear-Admiral  Porter,  comprising  73  'oesfteU  (zn- 
eluding  six  iron-cladn)  o/655  guns;  military  force,  under  General  Butler, 
6,600.  Losses  on  the  fleet,  46;  in  the  army,  150. 

JJisaniimisis,  under  General  Whiting.  Killed  and  wounded,  100 ; prisoners,  280. 

Since  the  early  part  of  August,  the  great  fleet  of  Rear-Admiral 
Porter  had  been  lying  at  anchor  in  Ilampton  Roads,  ready  for  an 
intended  expedition.  The  plan  of  operations  being  at  length  de- 
termined, orders  were  issued  to  set  sail.  But  there  was  a delay  of 
several  days,  owing  to  the  severity  of  the  wind.  On  Monday  even- 
ing, the  12th  of  December,  however,  the  transports  and  smaller  fleet 
— about  75  vessels  in  all — moved  to  sea.  Next  morning  all  the  line- 
of-battle  ships,  the  Ironsides,  and  the  monitors  followed.  Tho  com- 
bined flotilla  was  unquestionably  tho  most  powerful  ever  commanded 
by  a single  officer.  It  included  not  less  than  seventy-three  armed 
vessels,  comprised  in  five  divisions,  under  the  commands  respec- 
tively of  Commodores  Thatcher,  Lanman,  Schenck,  Gordon,  and 
Bradford.  The  division  of  the  latter  embraced  the  iron-clads.  New 
Ironsides  (of  eighteen  guns)  and  five  monitors : (three,  of  two  guns 
each,  and  one — tho  Atlanta — of  four  guns).  The  entire  armament  of 
the  fleet  was  not  less  than  655  guns ; and  considering  the  improved 
character  of  the  ordnance,  and  the  superiority  of  many  of  the  ves- 
sels, presented  a warlike  array  in  comparison  with  which  the 
strength  of  the  great  flotillas  of  earlier  times  dwindles  into  insig- 
nificance. The  land  forces  that  accompanied  the  expedition,  under 
General  Butler,  were  of  the  tenth  and  eighteenth  corps,  comprising 
about  6,500  effective  men. 

Near  Cape  Hatteras,  the  fleet  encountered  bad  weather ; but  on 


I JOHN  W.  GEARY,  ( 

) Brig.-Gen.  born  iu  ^VcstmorelalKl  Co.,  Pa.,  al)out  1818  ; scliool-tcaclior,  ( 
j clerk,  member  of  Jefiersoii  College,  Pa.,  Civil  Eng. ; Lieiit.-Col.  Vols.,  Mex-  ) 

j lean  War  ; wounded  at  Chapnltepec  ; commander  of  City  of  Mexico ; Col.  ) 

1 of  his  Reg’t ; Postmaster  San  Francisco,  1849  ; Alcalde  and  Afayor  of  that  ( 

) city.  Returned  to  Penn.,  1852,  as  a farmer  ; Gov.  of  Kansa.s,  185G;  resign-  ) 

i ed,  1857,  and  rctorned  to  Penn.  Col.  28th  Reg’t  Penn.  Yols. ; occupied  | 

) Tjeesburg,  March,  1862  ; Brig.-Gen.  Yols.,  April,  1862  ; severely  wounded  at  I 

; (.Vdar  Mt. ; stationed  at  Harper’s  Ferry,  Dec.,  1862.  In  battle  of  Chaticel-  j' 

j lersville,  iu  Slocum’s  Corps,  May  1st  and  2d,  1863  ; in  battle  of  Gettysburg,  j 

] on  the  right  wing,  where  he  fought  Ewell’s  Corps  gmllantly  for  si.x  hours_  i 

; Transferred  to  Army  of  Cumberland,  Sept.,  1863  ; took  part  in  battles  of  { 

j IVauhatchie  and  Lookout  Mt.,  Oct.  28  and  Nov.  24,  1863,  in  most  of  the  | 

■ battles  of  the  Atlanta  and  Savannah  campaigns,  and  distinguished  himself  for  i 

j bravery  and  ability  in  the  first,  in  several  battles.  Made  Mil.  Gov.  of  Savan-  f 

nah,  after  its  capture,  in  December,  1864,  and  at  the  clo.se  of  the  war  com-  j 

J mandcr  of  a District  in  Georgia.  t 


i 


577 


Fort  Fisher^  F.  C. 


the  14th,  arrived  off  Beaufort,  N.  0.,  where  some  of  the  transports 
put  in  for  the  purpose  of  coaling.  The  following  day,  the  expedition 
arrived  near  "Wilmington,  and  prepared  for  its  work.  It  was  several 
days,  however,  before  wind  and  weather  would  allow  the  vessels 
to  get  into  position,  or  the  troops  to  be  landed.  On  the  20th,  the 
enemy  had  reported  the  flotilla  off  New  Inlet;  but  it  moved  to 
sea  again,  reappearing  on  the  23d.  The  weather  being  now  favor- 
able, the  vessels  entered  the  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  River;  and  Com- 
mander Rhind,  in  charge  of  a torpedo  vessel  containing  a great 
quantity  of  powder,  was  ordered  to  advance  during  the  night,  and 
explode  it  as  near  as  possible  under  the  walls  of  Fort  Fisher.  Con- 
sidering the  terrible  effects  of  a gunpowder  explosion  that  had  lately 
occurred  in  England,  great  results  were  anticipated  from  this  novel 
mode  of  attack.  But  the  explosion  occurred  at  a quarter  of  two 
o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  without  causing  perceptible 
injury  to  the  rebel  works.  For  some  time  previous,  the  glare  of 
the  bonfire  to  conmiunicate  ■with  the  powder-train  was  visible 
to  the  fleet  anchored  at  a safe  distance;  on  a sudden,  how- 
ever, the  heavens  were  electrified  into  one  vast  sheet  of  flame; 
a heavy  rumbling  sound  followed,  like  the  noise  of  an  earthquake, 
accompanied  with  a tremulous  motion  of  the  waters  ; and  the  ter- 
rific but  unsuccessful  experiment  was  over. 

On  the  morning  of  tho  24th,  at  half-past  six  o’clock,  a signal 
was  made  from  the  flagship  for  the  vessels  to  prepare  for  an  advance. 
In  a short  time  tho  entire  flotilla  was  steaming  toward  the  shore, 
distant  five  miles  from  the  anchorage.  The  day  dawned  auspi- 
ciously upon  the  contemplated  bombardment.  The  wind  was  blow- 
ing lightly  from  the  southwest,  and  the  rough  sea  which  had  pre- 
vailed for  several  days  now  subsided  into  comparatively  smooth 
water. 

The  vessels  moved  cautiously  in  two  columns  ; and  when 
within  five  miles  of  the  coast,  came  to  a temporary  halt.  In  a 
short  time  the  New  Ironsides,  followed  by  the  monitors  Canonicus, 
Monadnock,  and  Mahopac,  left  the  main  column  and  advanced 
toward  the  rebel  works.  Tho  first-named  vessel  crept  slowly 
along  the  shore,  until  within  three-fourths  of  a mile  of  Fort  Fisher ; 
when  she  came  to  a halt,  and  gave  the  rebels  the  first  shot,  at  one 
o’clock  p.M.  Other  shots  and  two  broadsides  quickly  followed ; but 
failed  to  elicit  a response  from  the  enemy’s  works. 

At  three  o’clock,  all  the  vessels  having  been  brought  into  line  of 
battle,  -were  pouring  their  destructive  missiles  into  tho  enemy’s 


578  Fort  Fisher,  FT.  C. 

works  with  marvelous  rapidity.  In  fact,  celerity,  rather  than  accu- 
racy, seemed  to  characterize  the  firing.  For  about  an  hour  the  enemy 
replied  with  a spirited  lire  from  a few  guns  in  Fort  Fisher.  But  after 
that  time  the  discharges  grew  feehle,  and  at  length  died  away.  When 
the  vessels  moved  up,  however,  to  take  the  position  assigned  them  on 
the  line  farthest  south  from  Fort  Fisher,  the  Mound  battery  opened 
with  a 100-pounder.  But  this  gun  was  used  only  at  long  intervals, 
apparently  when  the  gunners  felt  confident  of  hitting  the  mark. 

In  course  of  the  afternoon,  the  barracks  in  the  fort,  and  some 
buildings  outside,  repeatedly  took  lii’C.  At  one  time  throe  rebel 
steamers  were  noticed  coming  down  Capo  Fear  River.  But  they 
proceeded  only  as  far  as  the  point,  and  then  halted,  as  if  to  give 
individuals  on  hoard  an  opportunity  to  watch  the  progress  of  the 
fight.  The  Keystone  State,  discovering  these  steamei’s,  directed  a few 
rounds  of  shell  into  them,  and  they  immediately  sailed  up  the  river 
with  great  speed.  Although  during  the  early  part  of  the  engage- 
ment the  firing  was  very  inaccurate,  it  imjiroved  toward  the  close. 
Far  too  many  missiles,  however,  fell  short;  and  the  air  was  filled 
with  bursting  shells,  which  were  intended  to  explode  inside  the 
enemy’s  works.  But  the  rebels  were  equally  deficient  in  the  accu- 
racy of  their  range,  as  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  only  ten 
of  the  Unionists  were  injured  during  the  entire  action.  The  flag- 
staff on  Fort  Fisher  was  shot  away  several  times.  The  flag  on 
Mound  battery  was  also  struck  down  three  times  before  sunset. 

The  giant  strength  of  the  fleet  engaged  in  action,  the  number  of 
guns  brought  to  bear  on  the  rebel  works,  and  the  persistent  deter- 
mination of  every  man  to  perform  the  duty  assigned  him,  rendered 
the  battle  one  of  the  most  grand  and  thrillingly  interesting  that 
ever  took  place  on  the  sea.  From  the  moment  the  first  shot  was 
fired,  till  dark,  the  roar  of  cannon  was  incessant.  Unfortunately 
the  Ticonderoga,  Yantic,  Juniata,  Mackinaw,  Quaker  City,  and 
Susquehannah  each  had  one  of  their  100-pounder  guns  exi)lodcd. 
The  accident  on  board  the  Ticonderoga  left  eight  men  killed  and 
eleven  wounded. 

Tlie  casualties  on  the  fleet  summed  up  between  forty  and  fifty, 
all  of  which,  with  the  exception  of  eight  or  ten,  were  caused  by 
the  bursting  of  the  Union  guns.  Several  of  the  vessels  were 
struck  repeatedly,  yet  not  in  the  least  crippled.  The  Colo- 
rado, at  one  time,  was  inade  the  mark  for  all  the  guns  of  Fort 
Fisher.  She  was  struck  twenty  times  in  the  hull ; but  not  a man 
was  injured,  and  the  ship  continued  firing  as  though  nothing  had 


579 


Fort  Fisher^  F.  C. 

happened.  At  half-past  five  the  firing  on  both  sides  ceased.  The 
sliips  retired  to  an  anchorage  a short  distance  from  the  line  held  in 
battle,  and  quietly  awaited  the  events  of  the  morrow. 

The  morning  of  the  25th  opened  with  a light  breeze  from  the 
northwest.  The  sea  was  calm  ; but  a heavy  mist  hanging  over  the 
shore  prevented  for  a time  the  resumption  of  hostilities.  Early  in 
the  day,  the  monitor  Saugus,  which  was  not  with  the  fleet  the  pre- 
ceding day,  advanced  and  assumed  a position  preparatory  to  action. 
At  nine  o’clock  the  other  vessels  moved  up,  taking  a position 
some  yards  nearer  the  fort.  Twelve  of  them  moved,  near  the  beach, 
to  a point  three  miles  above  Fort  Fisher;  and  commenced  shelling 
the  woods,  in  order  to  secure  a landing  for  the  troops  who  were 
preparing  to  disembark.  At  eleven  a.m.,  the  iron-clads  were  ac- 
tively engaged;  but  the  rebels  made  no  response  until  the  wooden 
vessels  had  formed  in  line  abreast  of  Fort  Fisher.  The  fire  was 
aimed,  principally  at  the  fort.  It  \vas  more  deliberate  than  on  the 
previous  day,  and  fewer  sheila  burst  over  the  water.  The  enemy 
replied  lazily,  and  apparently  did  not  use  more  than  four  or  five 
guns  during  the  action. 

At  two  o’clock  the  transports  had  steamed  up  near  the  position 
held  by  the  gun-boats.  Arrangements  were  quickly  made  by  which 
forty-one  boats  were  sent  from  the  various  naval  vessels  to  the 
former  to  take  the  troops  on  shore.  Immediately  on  landing,  the 
men  gathered  and  cheered  enthusiastically.  They  then  formed 
in  line,  and  marched  inland  on  a reconuoissance.  Charging  a small 
earth-work,  they  carried  it  in  handsome  style,  capturing  sixty-five 
prisoners,  one  G8-poundcr  gun,  and  a quantity  of  small-arms  and 
• ammunition. 

AVliile  this  was  going  on,  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second 
Now  York  Regiment,  having  formed  on  the  beach,  was  marched  up 
in  the  direction  of  Fort  Fisher.  Captain  Winslow’s  command 
was  deployed  as  skirmishers.  . These  gallant  fellows  not  only 
marched  three  miles  up  a beach  that  was  swept  by  the  guns  on 
that  side  of  the  fort,  but  actually  took  shelter  under  the  guns, 
charged  a redoubt,  and  cai)tured  a flag.  One  of  their  number  was 
reported  to  have  crept  up  to  an  angle  of  the  fort,  shot  a mounted 
orderly  who  had  just  passed  within  the  sally-port,  and  to  have 
captured  his  mule,  and  taken  from  the  body  of  the  fallen  rider  an 
important  disjjatch  which  he  was  conveying  to  the  commandant, 
from  the  rebel  authorities  at  Wilmington.  The  statement,  how- 
ever, in  regard  to  the  nearness  to  the  fort  at  which  this  bold  exploit 


580 


Fort  Msher,  N.  C. 


was  performed,  was  subsequently  contradicted.  Another  company 
of  the  regiment,  deploying  to  the  right,  soon  after  the  arrival  near 
the  fort,  surprised  and  captured  over  200  of  the  enemy.  In  the 
mean  time  the  remainder  of  Colonel  Curtis’  brigade  landed  and 
formed  in  line.  This  brigade  was  soon  followed  by  the  third  bri- 
gade. The  entire  number  of  troops  tliat  landed  did  not  exceed 
8,000;  they  carried  no  provisions  with  them;  and  in  less  than 
three  hours  after  they  disembarked,  orders  were  issued  for  their 
return  to  the  boats.  The  reasons  General  lJutler  subsequently 
assigned  for  these  orders  were  as  follows;  “I  learned  that  Kirk- 
land’s and  Ilapgood’s  brigades  of  Hoke’s  division  had  left  the 
front  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  near  Richmond,  and  were  within 
two  miles  of  the  rear  of  my  forces,  and  their  skirmishers  were  then 
actually  engaged,  and  that  the  remainder  of  Hoke’s  division  had 
come  the  night  before  to  Wilmington,  and  were  then  on  the  march. 
I also  learned  that  these  tro()[)3  lel't  Richmond  on  Tuesday,  the  20th. 
Knowing  the  strength  of  Hoke’s  division,  T found  a force  o|)poscd 
to  me  outside  the  works  larger  than  my  own.  In  the  mean  time 
the  weather  assumed  a threatening  aspect.  'I’he  surf  began  to  roll 
in  so  that  the  landing  became  dillicult.  At  this  time  General  Weitzel 
reported  to  mo  that  to  assault  the  works,  in  his  judgment,  and  in 
that  of  experienced  oilicers  of  his  command  who  had  a skirmish 
line,  with  any  prospect  of  success,  was  impossible.  This  oi)iuiou 
coincided  with  my  own;  and  much  as  I regretted  the  necessity  of 
abandoning  the  attempt,  yet  the  duty  was  plain.  Not  .so  strong  a 
■work  as  Fort  Fisher  had  been  taken  by  assault  during  this  war, 
and  I had  to  guide  my  experience  the  disaster  of  Port  Hudson, 
with  its  slaughtered  thousands  in  the  repulsed  assault,  and  the 
double  assault  of  Fort  Wagner,  where  thousands  were  sacrificed  in 
attempting  to  take  a work  less  strong  than  Fort  Fisher,  after  it  bad 
sustained  a continued  and  fully  as  severe  a fire;  and  iu  neither 
of  the  instances  I have  mentioned  had  the  assaulting  force  in  the 
rear — as  I liad — an  army  of  the  enemy  larger  than  itself.” 

While  preparations  were  in  progress  for  the  return  of  the  troops 
to  the  fleet,  the  firing  of  the  navy  ceased.  Instantly  the  guns  of 
the  fort  were  fully  manned,  and  a sharp  fire  of  musketry,  grape, 
and  canister  sw'ei)t  the  piace  over  which  the  attacking  column  must 
have  advanced,  and  the  skirmish  line  was  now  returning.  Work- 
ing with  all  diligence,  it  was  impossible  to  get  the  troops  aboard, 
before  the  sea  ran  so  high  as  to  render  further  re-embarkation,  or 
even  the  sending  of  supplies  ashore,  impossible.  General  Butler, 


581 


« 


Fort  Fisher,  N.  C. 


therefore,  lay  by  the  shore  till  eleven  o’clock  the  next  day  (Mon- 
day, tlie  26th)  ; when,  having  made  all  proper  dispositions  for  get- 
ting the  rest  of  the  troops  on  hoard,  orders  were  given  to  the  trans- 
port fleet,  as  soon  as  ready,  to  sail  for  Fortress  Monroe. 


FORT  FISHER,  N.  C 

Januaky  13,  1865. 

UnioniaU,  naval  force,  under  Jlear-Admiral  Porter,  comprising  73  vessels  (in- 
cluding six  iron-clads),  of  Si>5  guns;  land  force,  under  General  Terry,  9,200. 
Losses,  over  1,100. 

Pisunionists,  under  General  Whiting,  2,200.  Killed  and  wounded,  400 ; pris- 
oners, 1,800. 

Notwithstanding  the  abandonment  by  General  Butler,  on  the 
25th  of  December,  of  the  attempt  to  capture  Fort  Fisher,  it  was 
determined  by  the  higher  military  authorities  to  renew  the  under- 
takiug,  however  desperate  it  might  appear.  Accordingly  on  the 
night  of  the  5th  and  morning  of  the  6th  of  January  a fleet  of 
transports,  destined  to  co-operate  with  Admiral  Porter’s  flotilla 
off  Beaufort,  left  Fortress  Monroe.  It  contained  the  troops  engaged 
in  the  former  expedition,  together  with  an  additional  brigade, 
making  about  9,200  in  all,  under  command  of  General  Terry. 

On  the  8th,  the  fleet  arrived  at  Beaufort,  N.  0.,  joining  the  iron- 
clads. That  day  and  the  9tli  and  lOtli,  the  joint  fleet  was  detained 
at  Beaufort  by  contrary  winds  and  other  causes ; and  another 
severe  gale  was  encountered  by  it  on  the  11th.  On  the  morning 
of  Thursday,  the  12th,  the  entire  flotilla  got  away  in  calm  weather, 
and  anchored  above  Fort  Fisher  about  eleven  o’clock  at  night. 

The  following  day,  at  dawn,  the  vessels  started  again,  and  moved 
down  toward  Fort  Fi.shcr.  Just  before  seven  o’clock,  Rear-Admi- 
ral Porter  signaled  to  form  lino  of  battle,  which  was  done — the 
Brooklyn  leading  off  a column,  and  taking  position  close  to  the 
beach,  with  two  other  columns  ranged  outside,  nearly  parallel  to 
each  other  and  to  the  shore. 

Meanwhile,  Admiral  Porter  commenced  the  attack  by  sending 
the  iron-clad  column,  with  the  Now  Ironsides  at  its  head,  directly 
upon  Fort  Fisher.  At  half  past  seven  a.m.,  the  forts  oiiened  on 
them  as  they  approached ; but  they  quietly  took  up  their  old  posi- 
tions within  1,000  yards  of  Fort  Fisher,  and  began  to  fire  about 
half-past  eight.  The  inner  division  of  the  mam  fleet  l<ad  meanwliile 
been  shelling  the  woods  (without  eliciting  a response)  near  the 


582  Fort  Fisher^  F.  C 

point  selected  for  landing  the  troops,  about  three  miles  and  a half 
above  the  fort,  near  the  deserted  lialf-inoon  battery.  The  boats 
of  the  fleet  were  then  called  away  for  landing  the  troops,  and, 
starting  simultaneously,  at  nine  o’clock,  from  all  the  transports, 
soon  carried  them  through  the  surf,  some  of  the  men  eagerly  jump- 
ing into  the  water,  waist-deep.  The  first  boats  to  reach  the  shore 
contained  a part  of  the  One  Uundred  and  Sixty-ninth  New  York, 
and  Bell’s  third  brigade  of  Ames’  division  was  soon  ashore,  fol- 
lowed quickly  by  the  first.  In  about  an  hour  a sufficient  number 
of  troops  was  landed  to  push  out  a skirmish  line,  and  all  the  force 
designed  for  the  attack  was  ashore  before  three  p.m.  The  i)roper 
line  now  being  formed,  the  Federal  troops  re-took  the  half-moon 
battery. 

At  four  o’clock,  the  troops  started  down  the  beach  toward  Fort 
Fisher,  with  skirmishers  thrown  forward,  The  iron-clads  had 
already  made  sad  work  with  its  southern  angle,  and  only  one  heavy 
gun  responded.  A half  hour  later,  lines  No.  1 and  2 of  the  fleet 
opened  lire,  and  kept  up  a terrific  bombardment,  which  com[)loto- 
ly  silenced  the  fort.  About  dark  the  firing  ceased,  the  dense 
smoke  furled  off,  and  the  wooden  vessels  dropped  out  to  their  an- 
chorage ; bnt  the  Ironsides  and  monitors  lay  all  night  within  1,000 
yards  of  the  fort,  and  one  of  the  latter  within  700,  firing  a shell 
about  once  in  ten  minutes.  At  dusk  the  troops  had  passed  out 
of  range  of  Fort  Fisher.  Under  the  mantle  of  night,  however, 
they  again  advanced ; and  at  ten  p.m.  their  camp-fires  lighted  the 
long  bivouac  line  across  the  sand-spit,  about  two  miles  from  the 
fortress.  Their  right  flank  seemed  to  bo  well  covered  by  a sort  of 
lagoon,  running  between  it  and  the  woods  beyond.  Two  of  the 
rebel  gun-boats  shelled  the  Union  lines  from  Cai)e  Fear  River. 

So  ended  the  first  day’s  operations.  Nothing  can  describe  the 
terrific  thunder  of  the  grand  bombardment — one  incessant  crash 
of  heavy  guns  and  broadsides.  Every  vessel  shook  with  the  concus- 
sion, while  shells  from  more  than  300  guns  played  round  the  fort, 
making  it  a pit  of  fearful  destruction  to  its  occui)ants.  A careful 
spectator  reckoned  that  in  the  eight  hours’  action  between  the  iron- 
clads and  the  fort,  from  eight  a.m.  to  four  p.m.,  the  former  throw 
m their  immense  shells  at  the  rate  of  four  per  minute,  to  the  num- 
ber of  not  less  than  2,000  shells.  It  is  supposed  that  300  shells 
were  thrown  in  return,  leaving  their  marks  on  all  the  iron-clads, 
but  not  essentially  injuring  them.  In  the  terrible  cannonade,  which 
lasted  from  forty  minutes  past  four  to  ten  minutes  past  six  p.m., 


^CAPTURE  OF  FORT  FISHER 


) Jlaj.-Gen.  Vols.,  ami  Brig.-Gcn.  U.S.  A.,  bm-ii  in  Hartford,  Ct.,  Nov.  10, 1827,  { 

) jrrailiiated  at  A’ale  College,  studied  law  and  wa.s  admitted  to  the  New  Haven  1 

j bar  in  18-18.  He  speedily  took  a high  yiosition  in  his  profe.,saion,  though  nuinifcst-  [ 

) ing  a strong  inililaiy  tin’ii,  and  had  stmlied  I he  art  of  war  earefully,  during  th(^  •; 

j Crimean  and  1 (aliaii  ruin])aigiis.  In  1 851,  ( hil.  2d  Conn.  Ileg.  M ilitia  ; in  A [)ril, 

i 18()1 , commi.ssioned  by  Cov.  Buckingham  Col.  2d  Conn.  Vols.  I li.s  regiment  } 

] was  at  Bull  Hun,  but  did  not  rnn.  lliluriiing  home  after  the  three  months  ser-  ; 

I vice,  he  was  commissioned  Col.  7th  Conn.  \"ols. ; took  jjart  in  the  reduction  of  j 

) Port  Royal,  and  capture  of  Fort  l^idaski : Brig.-Gen.  Vols.,  April  25, ’(52.  In  ) 

) battle  of  Pocotaligo,  June,  ’(53  ; siege  of  Wagner  and  Sumter,  July,  Aug.  and  i 

j Sept.,  ’(5.3,  and  by  a feint  on  James  Island  in  June,  drew  the  Rebels  from  i 

j Morris  Island.  In  Army  of  James,  May,  Ti  l , fought  battles  of  Deep  Run,  ) 

) Aug.  1(5,  and  participated  in  the  actions  of  Richmond 'i'nrnpilo',  Drury’s  Blufl,  ( 

t I’etersburg,  and  Charles  (lity  Road;  commanded,  for  several  months,  1 0th  5 

I Army  Corps,  and  when  consolidated  with  18th.  as  21th  Corps,  commanded  ; 

1st  Division.  Brevetted  Maj.-Gen.  V'ols.,  July, 'til.  After  the  failure  of  the  ( 

i first  attack  on  Fort  Fisher,  lie  was  ordered  by  Gen.  Grant  to  lead  a second,  i 

' and,  leading  the  tinal  charge  in  person,  carrii'd  it.  For  this  he  was  made  { 

J Maj.-Gen.  Vols.  and  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  A.  With  the  aid  of  Gen.  Scholield  he  ■■ 

1 reduced  Wilmington,  and  from  thence  joined  Sherman's  army,  near  Gohls-  ;■ 

) boro’.  On  the  27th  June,  ’05,  he  was  appointed  to  command  Dep’t  of  Va.  ( 


587' 


Fort  Fisher,  F.  C. 

when  more  than  800  guns  from  the  wooden  ships  joined  their  fire 
to  that  of  tlie  iron-clads,  it  was  reckoned  by  one  observer  that  four 
sliots  a second  were  fired  by  the  Unionists,  or  more  than  20,000 
in  all.  Of  course  the  fort  did  not  rei)ly,  and  the  fleet  was  uninjured. 
Admiral  Porter,  in  his  terse  and  descriptive  account  of  tlie  day’s 
work,  writes,  “On  tlie  13th,  I ordered  all  the  vessels  carrying 
eleven-inch  guns  to  bombard  with  the  Ironsides,  the  Brooklyn  tak- 
ing the  le.ad.  By  sunset  the  fort  was  reduced  to  a i)ulp.  Evei-y 
gun  was  silenced  by  being  injured,  or  covered  up  with  earth,  so 
that  they  were  completely  disabled.” 

The  following  morning,  Saturday,  the  14th,  w.as  comparatively 
quiet;  aud  at  eight  o’clock  the  enemy’s  flag  was  up  again.  Many 
troops  and  batteries  were  sent  ashore.  During  the  early  part  of 
the  day,  the  Union  troops  intrenched  themselves  with  handsome 
breast-works,  thrown  up  rapidly  and  compactly.  Forces  were  dis- 
posed so  as  to  prevent  an  attack  in  the  rear,  from  Wilmington,  and 
a second  lino  of  breast-works  was  constructed  facing  in  that  direc- 
tion. With  work  of  this  kind,  the  landing  of  provisions,  and 
shelling  the  woods  on  the  right  flank,  the  day  passed. 

On  Sunday,  the  15th,  an  assault  was  arranged  by  Gener.al  Terry 
and  Admiral  Porter.  Abbott’s  brigade  and  Paine’s  colored  divi- 
sion, the  latter  about  2,000  strong,  tverc  placed  in  the  intrench- 
ments  fiicing  AVilmington,  making  the  Federal  rear  inqiregnablo 
against  Iloko,  who  threatened  from  that  point.  Ames’  division 
was  drawn  up  to  assault  the  west  end  of  the  fort,  the  most  difficult 
and  arduous  point.  A column  of  1,400  sailors  aud  marines,  under 
Captain  Breese,  was  .also  detailed  from  the  fleet  to  assault  the  sea- 
front, which  had  been  so  terribly  demolished  by  the  bombardment, 
that  it  was  believed  a lodgment  might  bo  easily  effected. 

At  daybreak,  the  iron-clads  commenced  a heavy  fii-e,  under  cover 
of  which  Ames  advanced  his  men  to  within  150  yanls  of  the  fort. 
At  ten,  all  the  rest  of  the  fleet  joined  in  the  tremendous  cannon- 
ade, which  was  kept  up  almost  unremittingly  till  three  when 
the  ships  turned  their  fire  from  the  path  of  the  assaulting  column 
to  other  works.  At  half-past  three  p.m.  the  signal  for  the  assault 
was  given.  The  gallant  column  from  the  fleet  dashed  at  the  sea- 
front with  desperate  energy,  and  gained  the  parapet.  But,  after  a 
short  conflict  and  heavy  loss,  it  w.as  checked  and  driven  back  in 
disorder.  As  soon  as  it  was  re-formed,  it  marched  to  the  defensive 
line,  to  take  the  place  of  Abbott’s  brigade,  which  had  joined  Ames. 
The  attack  on  the  sea-front,  though  a failure,  partly  diverted  the 


583 


Fort  Fisher,  FT.  C. 


enemy’s  attention,  and  made  the  attack  of  the  main  column  so 
much  the  easier.  Admiral  Porter’s  fleet  also  aided  the  assault  by 
a rapid  fire  in  response  to  a frequent  exchange  of  signals. 

Promptly  at  the  word  of  command,  the  gallant  column  of  from 
3,000  to  4,000  men  rushed  upon  the  works.  The  enemy’s  force  in 
the  fort  amounted  to  over  2,200.  Colonel  Curtis  lead  the  advance; 
and,  after  a splendid  assault,  effected  a lodgment  on  the  west  end 
of  the  land  front.  Two  other  brigades  followed  immediately.  At 
five  o’clock,  after  the  most  desperate  fighting,  foot  by  foot,  and 
with  the  severest  loss,  the  Pcdoral  troo[)s  got  possession  of  about 
half  the  land  front.  Then  Abbott  came  up  from  the  defensive 
line,  the  marines  taking  his  place.  Once  more  the  attack  went  on. 
At  ten  o’clock,  after  six  hours’  splendid  fighting,  the  last  trenches 
were  cleared  of  the  enemy,  and  Fort  Fisher  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Unionists. 

The  rebels  fell  back  to  Federal  Point,  down  the  peninsula.  They 
were  promptly  jiursued  and  captured.  General  Whitney  and  Col- 
onel Lamb,  the  commanders  of  the  fort,  with  their  officers  and 
men,  1,800  iu  all,  surrendered  unconditionally  about  midnight. 
The  enemy’s  loss  was  : first.  Fort  Fisher  and  its  chain  of  out- works, 
with  all  their  contents  (72  guns,  some  of  large  caliber  and  rifled,  in- 
cluding one  Armstrong  gun),  and  their  camp,  garrison  equipage, 
and  stores — including  six  days’  rations ; secondly,  the  deprivation 
of  Cape  Fear  River  and  its  inestimable  facilities  for  running  the 
blockade ; thirdly,  a garrison  of  2,200  men,  400  of  whom  were 
killed  and  wounded  and  1,600  captured. 

The  Unionists  lost  neither  war-ship  nor  transport,  and  but  little 
damage  was  inflicted  upon  the  fleet.  Their  loss  in  gallant  officers 
and  men  was  very  large — something  over  1,100  in  all,  of  which 
about  900  fell  upon  the  army,  and  200  upon  the  navy. 

On  klonday  morning,  the  magazine  in  Fort  Fisher  ex[)loded, 
probably  by  accident  or  neglect,  and  about  300  of  the  brigade 
doing  garrison  duty  were  killed  or  wounded. 

The  storming  of  this  noted  fortress  will  bo  remembered  as  one 
of  the  most  gallant  achievements  of  the  war.  The  brilliancy  of 
the  success  shines  in  brighter  relief  by  contrast  with  the  failure 
which  preceded  it.  Considering  the  daring  of  the  attempt,  the  ob- 
stacles to  be  overcome,  the  gallantry  of  the  assault,  and  the  victory 
attending  it,  the  whole  plan  and  execution  of  the  affair  is  worthy 
of  unqualified  praise. 


Jjranchville^  Columbia^  Charleston,  etc.,  S.  C.  589 

EEANCHVILLE,  COLUMBIA,  CHARLESTON,  ETC.,  S.  C. 

January  17  to  February  IS,  1865. 

Unionists^  under  ffenerals  Sherman  and  GiUmore^  ahcnii  75,000.  Lossefi^  small 
{nximbers  not  reported), 

jDisimionists^  under  General  Beauregard  and  UardeSyfrom  30,000  to  05,000* 
Losses^  small  {ixumbers  not  stated). 

Immediately  after  tlie  occupation  of  Savannah,  General  Sher- 
man directed  hia  attention  to  strengthening  the  defenses  of  the  city 
in  various  ways,  and  also  to  arranging  for  a new  inarch.  Rein- 
forced by  troops  from  Tennessee,  the  great  military  leader  plunged 
boldly  into  South  Carolina  as  he  bad  plunged  into  and  swept 
through  Georgia. 

The  onward  march  of  this  gallant  army  commenced  January 
17th.  Advancing  into  the  interior  of  Sbuth  Carolina,  it  threatened 
at  the  same  time,  by  two  distinct  columns,  Augusta,  Branchville,  and 
Charleston.  The  heavy  rains  which  prevailed  from  the  inception 
of  the  movement  to  January  24th  at  length  terminated,  and  the 
roads  began  to  improve.  But  near  the  coasts  the  way  remained 
almost  impassable  ; since  the  country  for  many  miles  was  covered 
with  water,  rendering  the  roads  useless  for  transportation.  Sher- 
man, however,  had  provided  for  all  possible  weather.  And  per- 
haps the  movement  of  so  large  a force  along  the  Savannah  River 
was  due  to  the  effect  of  the  rain  upon  the  marshy  country. 

The  operations  of  the  left  wing,  under  Slocum,  commenced  with 
a severe  march  frorp  Savannah  to  Robertsville,  a part  of  the  com- 
mand moving  on  either  bank,  through  swamp  and  morass,  by  day 
and  night,  often  knee-deep  in  water,  now  rapidly  advancing,  and 
now  corduroying  the  impracticable  roads.  Arriving  at  the  latter 
place,  they  commenced  a movement  directly  against  the  railroad 
connecting  Branchville  and  Augusta.  The  enemy  in  great  haste 
summoned  Beauregard  from  Charleston  to  the  latter  point,  where 
General  D.  H.  Hill  was  already  in  command,  with  many  troops. 
Branchville  was  promptly  reinforced,  and  works  thrown  up  to 
render  it  additionally  secure.  February  1st,  Slocum  advanced 
across  "Whippy  Swamp,  which  lies  about  equidistant  from  Branch- 
ville and  Pocotaligo.  McBride’s  bridge  was  captured  on  the 
same  day,  and  the  rebel  cavalry  driven  back  a few  miles.  Reach- 
ing the  Salkehatchie,  they  effected  a crossing  between  Braxton  and 
River's  bridge,  the  gallant  men  fording  the  stream  at  the  latter 
point,  waist  deep,  outflanking  their  bewildered  adversaries  and  forc- 
ing them  back  on  Branchville. 


500,  Jiranchville,  Columbia,  Charleston,  etc.,  S.  C. 


Slocuir^nest  pushed  rapidly  against  the  South  Edisto,  crossed  it 
and  flanked  Branchville.  I\Iean\vhile  the  riglit  wing,  under  General 
Howard,  advancing  on  the  coast  road,  cut  the  railroad  on  the  soutli 
of  Branchville,  which  place  now  being  flanked  on  both  sides  inevi- 
tably fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists. 

While  the  right  and  loft  wings  of  the  Federal  army  were  engaged 
in  these  operations,  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  demonstrated  against  Au- 
gusta, and  so  strongly  did  Sherman  menace  this  point,  that  D.  Ef. 
Hill  remained  there  with  his  entire  force,  and  did  not  venture  to 
oppose  the  march  of  the  Union  general.  On  the  8th  and  Oth  of 
February,  Wheeler’s  cavalry  skirmished  sharply  with  Ki]i)atrick’B 
command,  the  latter  driving  the  foe  back  with  considerable  loss. 

Sherman  immediately  advanced  upon  Orangeburg,  capturing  the 
town  without  encountering  great  resistance.  Kingsville  was  next 
added  to  his  list  of  captures.  " Thence  skirmishing  to  Columbia  on  the 
evening  of  the  16th,  the  Federal  forces  approached  the  south  bank  of 
the  Congaree,  and  threw  a number  of  shells  into  the  city.  During 
the  night  the  adventurous  column  moved  up  the  river,  and  the  next 
morning  effected  a crossing.  The  enemy!,  convinced  that  resistance 
was  fruitless,  commenced  evacuating  the  city  while  the  fording  of 
the  river  was  in  progress.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th  the  mayor 
made  a formal  surrender  of  the  city  to  the  Federal  commander. 
With  the  fall  of  the  State  capital,  largo  quantities  of  Confederate 
medical  stores  were  destroyed,  the  press  for  printing  Confederate 
treasury  notes  was  abandoned,  and  over  a hundred  presses  of  the 
Largest  publishing  houses  in  the  South  were  bunned. 

Beauregard  at  once  struck  for  Charlotte,  and  Sherman  j)ashcd 
his  troops  promptly  after  him,  leaving  the  Confederate  general  per- 
plexed as  to  whether  his  opponent  would  first  take  Charlotte, 
N.  C.,  or  Florence,  S.  C. 

The  advance  of  the  Federal  troops  was  so  rapid,  that  it  was  im- 
perative for  Hardee  to  do  quickly  what  ho  had  to  do.  On  Friday, 
the  10th,  Schiinmelfennig’s  force  of  Gillmoro’s  command,  3,000  or 
4,000  strong,  laid  a bridge  across  the  creek  dividing  Folly  and  Colo’s 
islands  from  dames  Island,  and  effected  a lodgment  on  the  latter, 
about  three  miles  southwest  of  Charleston.  Skirmishers  were 
thrown  forward,  and  encountered  the  enemy  about  a mile  distant 
at  Grimball’s,  on  Stone  Piver.  A small  naval  force  ascended  the 
river,  and  covering  the  land  force  on  the  flank  shelled  the  foe.  Lato 
in  the  afternoon.  General  Hartwell  moved  his  entire  brigade  for- 
ward, in  columns  double  on  the  center,  and  handsomely  carried  the 


Sranchville,  Columbia^  Charleston^  etc.^  S.  G.  591 


enemy’s  rifle-pits  at  tlio  double-quick.  The  contest,  though  spirit- 
ed, was  very  brief,  the  rebels  rapidly  retreating  to  their  main 
works,  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  and  about  twenty  prison- 
ers in  the  hands  of  the  Unionists.  The  Federal  loss  was  between 
seventy  and  eighty  in  all. 

The  columns  of  Porter  and  llatch  co-operated  with  the  former. 
The  advance  south  of  Stono  met  with  but  feeble  resistance,  inas- 
much as  it  was  accessible  to  the  approach  of  gun-boats,  and  was 
only  defended  by  small  batteries  on  the  river  banks,  which  were 
flanked  and  rendered  untenable  by  the  movement  of  a column  in 
their  rear.  As  their  garrisons  were  small,  they  were  necessarily 
compelled  to  relinquish  their  hold  at  these  points  and  fall  back  to 
Charleston,  where  immediate  preparations  were  made  for  the  evac- 
uation of  the  city. 

On  the  night  of  the  I7th,  Hardee’s  troops  abandoned  ilio  rebel 
stronghold.  About  midnight  the  enemy  fired  the  upper  part  of  the 
city,  burning  the  railroad  buildings  and  several  thousand  bales  of 
cotton.  The  buildings  also  contained  large  quantities  of  rice  and 
powder.  At  half-past  three  the  powder  blew  up,  with  a fearful 
explosion,  killing  100  of  the  destitute  people  who  were  getting  the 
rice.  At  daylight  the  rams  in  the  harbor  exploded. 

The  Federal  forces  were  promptly  moved  up  to  the  city,  and  at 
nine  o’clock,  amid  exultant  cheers  and  proudly  waving  banners,  the 
identical  flag  which  General  Anderson  hauled  down  from  Fort  Sum- 
ter, in  April  1861,  once  more*  streamed  from  the  parapet.  On  the 
morning  of  February  18th,  Charleston,  with  Fort  Sumter,  Fort 
Moultrie,  Castle  Pinckney,  all  its  defensive  works,  and  all  its  con- 
tents, was  surrendered  to  the  Unionists  bj'  Major  Macbeth,  who,  liko 
the  more  distinguished  soldier  of  that  name,  might  have  fitly  re- 
marked, “ Treason  has  done  its  worst.”  Two  hundred  guns  and  a 
large  quantity  of  ammunition  were  among  the  spoils  of  the  victors. 

The  wanton  firing  of  the  city  by  the  retreating  foe,  and  the  ex- 
plosion of  its  magazines  spread  devastation  far  and  wide.  The 
Union  troops  at  once  set  to  work  to  quell  the  flames ; but  a largo 
part  of  the  place  was  consumed. 

The  lower  part  of  the  city  within  range  of  the  Federal  guns  was 
totally  destroyed. 

The  march  of  Sherman’s  troops  from  Savannah  to  Columbia — 
a distance  of  250  miles  through  the  heart  of  the  Confederacy — was 
accomplished  in  a single  month.  With  giant  strides  the  migiity 
conqueror  swept  all  obstacles  before  him,  and  crowned  his  marvel- 


592  Dabney's  Anils  and  Hatcher's  Dun,  Va. 

0U3  campaign  witli  tlio  triple  capture  of  Brancliville,  Columbia,  and 
Cliarlestoii.  But  with  tlie  impulse  of  a great  mind  ho  disdained  a 
triumphal  entrance  into  the  city,  which,  after  three  years  of  fear- 
ful struggle,  at  length  succumbed.  Ilis  legions,  fired  with  their 
recent  victories,  pressed  onward  to  the  new  triumphs  which 
awaited  their  glorious  leader. 


DABNEY’S  MILLS  AND  HATCHER’S  RIJN,  VA 

Fedritauy  5 TO  7,  1865. 

UnioniaU^  under  Oeiierals  Qrant  and  Mcade^  over  100,000.  Killed^  147 ; wcmnd^ 
edy  1,038 ; miening^  about  800. 

Disunionistfi,  under  General  Lee^  probably  from  60,000  to  70,000.  Killed^  wcrund^ 
edy  and  missing^  about  1,500. 

Aftek  the  late  engagement  at  Ilatcher’s  Run,  and  the  expedition 
toward  Weldon,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  enjoyed  a period  of 
comparative  cpiiet,  which  was  at  length  broken  on  the  31st  of  Jan- 
uary, by  the  entire  army’s  receiving  marching  orders.  All  the  en- 
suing day  and  night  active  preparations  for  a forward  movement 
were  going  on;  troops  and  baggage  w^ere  transported  here  and 
there,  hospitals  were  cleared,  and  the  sick  sent  back  to  City  Point. 
The  quartermaster  and  commissary  stores  were  placed  beyond  the 
reach  of  danger,  four  days’  rations  were  distributed  to  the  troops, 
and  a grand  move  was  evidently  to  be  essayed.  Nothing  further 
was  accomplished  until  February  5th,  the  interval  being  occupied 
by  a severe  shelling  of  the  enemy’s  lines,  designed  to  cover  the 
preparations  for  the  general  advance. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  4th,  Gregg’s  division  of  cavalry  was 
directed  to  march  at  three  o’clock  the  following  morning,  Warren’s 
fifth  corps  to  follow  at  five  o’clock,  and  Humphrey’s  second  corps 
an  hour  later.  The  scene  of  maneuver  was  to  be  substantially  that 
of  the  former  attempt  at  Hatcher’s  Run,  and  was  in  general  to  bo 
a renewal  of  that  affair,  with  such  changes  as  experience  had 
shown  to  be  expedient.  As  in  the  first  case,  it  was  designed  to 
throw  a corps  across,  and  behind  the  enemy’s  right  fiaiik,  to  get 
upon  the  Boydton  jJank-road,  take  the  enemy’s  strong  w'orks  at 
Hatcher’s  Run  in  reverse,  and  keeping  north  strike  the  Southsido 
Railroad.  This  move,  if  successful,  would  probably  compel  the 
evacuation  of  Petersburg ; and  to  insure  its  success  the  whole  Army 
of  the  Potomac  co-operated.  Warren’s  corps  and  Gregg’s  cavalry 
were  selected  for  the  expeditionary  column. 


503 


Dahyiey's  Mills  and  Matcher's  Itwi^  Va. 


On  the  morning  of  the  6th,  the  designated  troops  were  promptly 
in  motion.  Gregg’s  division  started  at  three  o’clock  down  the 
Jerusalem  plank-road,  and  the  advance  arrived  at  Reams’  Station 
Boon  after  daylight.  Two  hours  later  the  fifth  corps  followed  the 
cavalry,  Ayres’  division  leading  the  van,  Griffin’s  next,  and  Craw- 
ford’s in  the  rear.  Their  course  extended  along  the  Ilalifax  road. 
"Westerly,  on  the  Vaughan  road,  were  two  divisions  of  the  second 
corps  under  Humphrey.  To  the  latter  had  been  assigned  the  duty 
of  moving  directly  on  the  works  at  Hatcher’s  Run  ; while  the  fifth 
corps  proceeded  around  their  right.  Each  corps  was  accompanied 
hy  a certain  number  of  batteries ; and  they  marched  with  gallant 
bearing,  the  weather  being  propitious  and  the  roads  in  excellent 
condition. 

From  Reams’  the  cavalry  column  moved  on  toward  Dinwiddle 
Court  House,  and  encountered  at  Rowanty  Creek  a part  of  Hamp- 
ton’s cavalry.  The  latter  were  dismounted  and  covered  by  breast- 
works on  the  opposite  banks  of  the  stream,  commanding  the  bridges. 
After  a short  skirmish  the  Unionists  carried  the  bridge  with  the 
works,  and  captured  twenty-two  prisoners,  their  own  loss  being 
less  than  twenty  men.  Two  bridges  were  now  constructed  to 
enable  the  troops  and  trains  to  cross,  the  stream  being  about  twenty 
feet  wide,  and  too  deep  for  fording.  The  proce.ss  of  building  and 
the  transportation  of  the  men,  ordnance,  supply  trains,  and  ambu- 
lances caused  a delay  of  several  hours. 

The  cavalry,  however,  had  already  swept  on  to  Dinwiddle  Court 
House ; thence  scouting  parties  were  sent  in  different  directions. 
In  the  mean  time  the  rebel  cavalry  stationed  at  Bellefield  were 
ordered  up  to  resist  Gregg  ; but,  finding  their  strength  insufficient, 
no  fighting  occurred.  At  nightfall  Gregg  returned  to  Rowanty 
Creek  and  there  bivouacked. 

kfeanwhilo  Humphrey’s  command  had  moved  down  the  Vaughan 
road  to  whore  it  crosses  Hatcher’s  Run.  Mott’s  third  division  had 
the  advance,  with  De  Trobriand’s  brigade  leading  off.  A battalion 
of  the  Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  covered  the  latter ; Smyth’s 
division  followed.  The  enemy’s  pickets  were  soon  encountered  and 
driven  in,  and  the  run  reached.  The  rebel  intrenchmeUts  on  the 
opposite  bank  were  not  very  strongly  manned ; but  the  stream  was 
so  obstructed  that  the  cavalry  were  repulsed  in  an  attempt  to  cross 
it.  Do  Trobriand  deployed  his  brigade  in  lino  of  battle  and  sent 
the  Ninety-ninth  Pennsylvania  across  in  skirmishing  order,  carry- 
ing the  works  at  once  and  securing  the  fording  of  the  stream  for 

30 


594  Dabney's  Mills  and  Matcher's  Mun^  Viz. 

the  entire  column.  The  cavalry  now  efiPected  a crossing,  and  join- 
ing Do  Trobriand,  handsomely  drove  hack  the  enemy’s  small  force 
with  great  rapidity.  The  brigade  then  immediately  took  position 
on  a hill  beyond  the  ford  and  briskly  threw  np  intrenchments,  ren- 
dering its  position  secure.  But  the  cavalry  battalion,  which  had 
crossed  a little  south  of  the  Vaughan  road,  while  driving  in  the 
enemy  and  reconnoitering  on  the  left,  encountered  a small  force  in 
ambush,  which  poured  a sharp  volley  into  them,  killing  and  wound- 
ing a number  of  men  and  horses.  A part  of  Mott’s  division  arrived 
at  this  juncture  and  repulsed  the  foe. 

Skirmishing  continued  between  the  pickets  till  two  o’clock,  when 
a heavy  artillery  fire  commenced,  and  it  became  obvious  that  the 
enemy  were  about  to  make  an  attack.  At  half-past  four  o’clock 
the  rebels  assaulted  the  second  brigade  of  Smyth’s  division  with 
great  spirit.  Shouting  and  cheering  and  pressing  rapidly  through 
the  difficult  swamp,  tliey  rushed  upon  the  rifle-pits  which  protected 
Smyth’s  right.  Under  cover  of  a terrific  artillery  fire  they  burst 
upon  Murphy’s  brigade,  but  the  latter  from  behind  their  intrench- 
ments poured  such  a volley  of  musketry  into  the  advancing  foe, 
that  they  were  compelled  to  fall  back  into  the  woods. 

Thus  three  desperate  assaults  were  repulsed.  Fierce  fighting 
continued  till  dark,  when  quiet  was  again  restored,  and  continued 
through  the  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Gth,  the  Union  forces  lay  around  Uatch- 
er’s  Run,  the  second  corps  on  tire  right,  the  fifth  in  the  center,  and 
the  cavalry  on  the  left.  Rude  breast- works  covered  the  lines ; these 
were  strengthened  by  constant  work  till  noon,  and  the  muddy  and 
imj)racticablo  roads  were  corduroyed.  Soon  after  mid-day  a divi- 
sion of  the  sixth  corps  was  sent  toward  Dabney’s  Mills  in  order  to 
reach  the  Boydton  plank-road.  The  route  thence  was  covered  with 
heavy  woods ; swamps  and  ravines  intersected  it  in  all  directions, 
and  the  only  road  was  a narrow  pathway  filled  with  stumps  and 
knee-deep  with  mud. 

During  the  niglit  the  enemy  had  been  misled  by  the  quiet  which 
prevailed  in  the  Union  army,  and  believing  that  they  had  abandon- 
ed the  advance,  sent  out  General  Pegram’s  division  to  reconnoiter. 
Uis  skirmishers  soon  encountered  Crawford’s  advance,  and  after  a 
sharp  contest  were  forced  back  to  their  original  position.  Pegrarn 
was  now  reinforced  by  Evans,  and  a sharp  fire  through  the  wooded 
country  around  Dabney’s  Mills  told  that  the  spirited  advance  of  the 
Federal  troops  was  checked. 


Dahney' s Mills  and  Hatcher' s Ilu7i,  Va.  595 

Toward  evening,  tlie  enemy  attacked  Gregg  with  great  force, 
driving  in  his  pickets,  and  forcing  the  cavalry  to  retire  into  their 
breast-works.  The  battle  increased  in  intensity,  and  many  ofScers 
fell  during  its  progress.  While  Gregg  was  thus  hotly  contesting 
the  ground  on  the  left  of  the  Vaughan  road,  the  infantry  became 
furiously  engaged  on  the  right,  the  foe  attacking  all  along  the  line 
with  continuous  shocks.  The  contest  finally  resulted  in  driving 
the  Federal  cavalry  from  their  breast-works  and  forcing  them  back 
to  Hatcher’s  Run,  where  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  a similar 
misfortune  had  befallen  their  infantry. 

Soon  after  the  rebels  once  more  swept  down  upon  the  fifth  corps, 
who  were  nearly  all  at  the  .scene  of  conflict.  Fearing  that  Craw- 
ford would  be  cut  off,  Ayres’  division  was  ordered  up  to  his  sup- 
port. But  while  moving  in  column,  the  reinforcing  body  was  at- 
tacked and  driven  back.  Wheaton’s  division,  having  also  been 
ordered  to  join  Crawford,  arrived  at  this  juncture  and  was  put  into 
line ; it  became  at  once  engaged  in  the  fierce  conflict,  but  soon 
shared  in  the  general  discomfiture.  The  Union  troops  now  fell  back 
in  confusion,  the  enemy  pursuing.  In  retreating  through  such  a 
countrj'  it  was  impossible  to  preserve  an  organization,  and  the  skir- 
mishing on  the  retreat  was  a man-by-mau  affair,  from  behind  trees 
and  such  other  protections  as  could  bo  found.  It  was  not  until 
Hatcher’s  Run  had  been  reached,  and  their  intrenched  lines  occu- 
pied, that  the  routed  troops  could  be  rallied.  The  enemy  now  came 
on  elated  with  victory,  and  dashed  into  the  open  space  in  front  of 
the  Federal  works;  but  were  quickly  met  by  a sharp  fire  from  the 
intrenchn)ents,  and  fell  back  before  the  blast.  Night  closed  upon 
the  conflict.  The  enemy’s  loss  in  the  day’s  engagement  did  not 
exceed  1,000.  The  entire  Union  loss  was  estimated  at  1,500. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  rebels  demonstrated  against 
the  infantry  and  cavalry  skirmish  lines,  and  were  repulsed.  Can- 
nonading was  kept  up  through  the  day.  No  fighting  occurred  on 
the  8th;  from  daylight  till  dark  the  Union  troops  were  busily  em- 
ployed in  intrenching  themselves  in  their  new  position. 

The  grand  movement  resulted  in  the  prolongation  of  the  Federal 
lines  several  miles  toward  the  Southside  Railroad,  and  thus  far 
proved  a success.  ' 


596  Fort  Anderson,  N".  O. 

FORT  ANDERSON,  N,  C. 

Fkbkuabt  17  TO  19,  1866. 

Vnlon  land  force,  under  General  Schofield,  about  25,000;  naval  force,  under 
Rear-Admiral  Porter,  1 monitor  and  14  gun-boats.  Total  loss,  less  than  lofl. 
Pisuniimists,  under  General  lloke,  6,000;  killed  and  wounded,  not  reported; 
2>ris(mer8^  GO. 

Afteu  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher,  the  operations  against  Wil- 
mington were  for  some  days  confined  to  the  eastern  shores  of  Capo 
Fear  River,  tlie  advance  of  tlie  land  force  being  along  the  penin- 
sula above  Federal  Point,  while  the  gun-boat  fleet  co-operated  in 
the  river.  The  first  element  to  he  eliminated  in  solving  the  prob- 
lem of  the  capture  of  the  city  was  Fort  Anderson,  a rebel  strong- 
hold on  the  right  bank  of  the  river.  It  was  a work  of  great  extent 
and  immense  strength,  its  rear  front  being  a series  of  large  mounds, 
or  traverses,  rising  from  twenty -five  to  thirty  feet  above  the  level 
of  Cape  Fear  River,  on  which  it  fronts  to  the  northeast,  extending 
in  alternating  traverses,  angles,  embrasures,  and  ditches,  inclosing 
an  area  of  about  four  square  miles.  The  system  of  river  obstruc- 
tions, chevanx  de  frise,  torpedoes,  etc.,  had  prevented  the  navy 
from  approaching  sufficiently  near  to  silence  the  guns  of  the  fort. 
Accordingly  it  was  decided  to  advance  upon  it  with  a land  force; 
and  a portion  of  General  Schofield’s  command  was  disembarked  at 
Smithville. 

The  brigade  of  General  Casement  was  thrown  across  the  river 
on  the  IGth  of  February,  and  was  immediately  followed  by  two 
brigades  of  General  Cox’s  division  and  Colonel  Moore’s  brigade  of 
General  Conch’s  division.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th  the  col- 
umn took  up  its  line  of  march  from  Smithville,  ten  miles  distant 
from  the  fort.  The  enemy’s  pickets  were  encountered  a few  miles 
from  town,  and  driven  back  to  their  main  body,  which  offered  but 
feeble  resistance,  and  retired  in  the  direction  of  the  fort. 

At  nightfall  the  column  halted  about  a mile  and  a half  from  Fort 
Anderson,  lines  being  formed  with  the  brigades  of  General  Case- 
ment and  Colonel  Sierl  on  the  left  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  road 
leading  to  Wilmington,  while  Colonel  Henderson  with  his  force 
took  an  eligible  position  near  the  river,  and  opened  communication 
with  the  gun-boat  fleet  and  the  troops  on  the  opposite  side. 

The  command  of  all  the  troops  immediately  operating  against 
the  fort  was  assigned  to  General  Cox,  while  the  command  of  his 
division  devolved  upon  General  Casement. 


597 


Fort  Anderson^  N.  C. 


At  seven  o’clock  the  following  morning  the  troops  struck  tents 
and  moved  again,  Colonel  Moore’s  brigade  leading  the  advance. 
The  Sixty-fifth  Indiana  was  sent  forward  as  skirmishers,  and  fought 
its  way  gallantly  to  the  vicinity  of  the  fortress,  where  rifle-pits  were 
thrown  up  preparatory  to  its  investment. 

The  country  traversed  by  General  Cox’s  force  is  covered  by  in- 
numerable ponds  of  water,  many  of  them  of  considerable  sixe.  One 
of  the  largest  extends  seven  or  eight  miles  in  a line  parallel  with 
the  river,  and  is  connected  with  it  by  a line  of  field-works,  em- 
bracing the  fort.  lu  front  of  these  works  the  timber  had  been 
cleared  for  the  space  of  half  a mile,  over  which  the  enemy’s  artil- 
lery had  full  play.  The  skirmishing  party  advanced  boldly  across 
this  open  field  to  within  a few  hundred  yards  of  the  rebel  line, 
while  the  main  body  constructed  earth-works  on  the  edge  of  the 
field.  The  enemy  opened  a vigorous  artillery  fire,  and  shelled  the 
working  parties  for  several  hours.  But  despite  the  storm  that  fell 
mercilessly  upon  them,  they  struggled  on,  completed  the  intrench- 
ments,  and  at  night  occupied  them  in  force. 

The  naval  fleet  under  Admiral  Porter  maintained  a steady  fire 
upon  the  fort  throughout  the  day.  Some  fifteen  of  the  wooden 
vessels,  including  most  of  the  double-enders,  participated  in  the 
bombardment.  The  rebel  batteries  wore  silenced  by  three  o’clock, 
but  the  fleet  continued  its  firing  till  dark,  and  at  intervals  through 
the  night.  The  monitor  Montauk’s  fire  was  active  and  destruc- 
tive ; great  masses  of  sand  were  thrown  up  at  each  discharge,  and 
the  tremendous  shells  made  fearful  havoc.  By  mid-day  Schofield 
had  three  divisions  well  connected,  and  moving  on  the  works.  It 
was  now  evident  that  the  Union  troops  were  closing  around  the 
fort. 

About  four  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  Colonel  Moore 
ordered  a charge  by  the  skirmish  line  to  ascertain  if  the  enemy  yet 
remained,  certain  sounds  during  the  night  having  led  him  to  sup- 
pose that  they  had  evacuated.  The  rebel  pickets  were  captured 
in  the  impetuosity  of  the  onset.  No  response  was  elicited  from  the 
fort,  and  a farther  advance  revealed  the  fact  that  they  had  indeed 
abandoned  it  under  the  cover  of  darkness.  The  brigades  support- 
ing the  advance  entered  and  took  possession.  Colonel  Moore, 
seizing  the  flag  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Kentucky,  galloped  to  the  river 
angle,  and  planted  it  on  the  para[)ct.  Admiral  Porter  landed  soon 
afterward,  and  i)rocceded  to  inspect  the  fort. 

This  almost  bloodless  victory  gave  the  Unionists  possession  of 


598 


Wilmington^  JV.  C. 


twelve  ])iece3  of  Iteavy  ordnance,  sixty  prisoners,  several  Lattice 
flags,  and  a largo  amount  of  ammunition.  All  the  light  artillery 
was  carried  away  by  the  rebels.  The  garrison  was  said  to  bo 
about  3,000  strong. 

The  casualties  among  the  Unionists  in  both  army  and  navy  were 
very  slight,  being  less  than  one  hundred  in  the  entire  movement. 

The  carrying  of  Fort  Anderson  exposed  the  works  at  Sugar 
Loaf  to  an  enfilading  fire.  The  latter,  therefore,  were  simul- 
taneously abandoned,  and  Terry’s  troops  pushed  on  toward  Wil- 
mington. 


WILMINGTON,  N.  C. 

Febuuaby  20  TO  22,  1865. 

Union  Zand  force^  under  General  ScJwJield^  ahoxU  25,000 ; naval  force^  und&r 
Ittar^Adiniral  Fortei\  1 monitor  and  14  (jun-hoata.  Total  losa^  abont  200. 
IHsuxiioniatSy  under  General  Bragg^  estimated  at  about  12,000.  Killed  and 
wounded^not  reported;  prieonera^  1,072. 

Tine  fall  of  Fort  Anderson  was  followed  by  an  immediate  ad- 
vance of  the  Federal  lines.  The  navy  pushed  up  the  river;  Terry 
advanced  on  the  peninsula;  and  the  flanking  column  of  Oox  (which 
had  arrived  too  late  to  cut  off  the  enemy’s  retreat),  being  joined 
by  Moore,  marched  directly  toward  Wilmington.  A line  of  yawls, 
connected  by  drag-ropes,  preceded  the  fleet,  and  effectually  re- 
moved the  torpedoes  from  the  channel  of  the  river.  Admiral 
Porter  followed,  and  soon  came  in  view  of  a long  line  of  piles 
planted  across  the  stream,  which  was  apparently  commanded  by  a 
high  shore  battery  on  the  east  side.  The  Montauk  grounded  in 
moving  up  to  attack  this  fort,  and  could  not  cross  the  shoals  with- 
out lightening,  which  was  a work  of  considerable  labor,  and  caused 
some  delay.  After  .sounding  and  buoying  out  the  middle  ground 
at  Big  Island,  the  gun-boats  succeeded  in  getting  over,  and  opened 
fire  on  Fort  Strong,  the  work  commanding  the  princi|)al  obstruc- 
tions. The  enemy  were  soon  driven  from  their  stronghold.  On 
the  night  of  the  20th  they  sent  down  two  hundred  floating  torpe- 
does, but  Porter  had  a strong  force  of  picket  boats  out,  and  the 
torpedoes  were  sunk  with  the  musketry. 

While  the  navy  passed  up  the  river,  the  troops  advanced  on 
either  bank.  Cox  moved  up  on  the  west  side  to  Town  Creek, 
where  the  last  rebel  line  was  eonnected  with  Fort  Strong  (or  St. 
Philip).  Terry,  on  the  east  side,  pressed  forward  simultaneously 
three  miles  beyond  Hoke’s  old  line,  and  the  same  night  effected  a 


Wilmington,  N.  C.  GOl 

junction  witli  Ames’  division,  the  latter  having  crossed  on  boats 
and  pontoons  to  the  east  bank  of  the  stream.  Tlie  next  line  of  the 
enemy  was  strongly  intrenched  with  rifle-pits,  four  miles  below 
■\Vilmington,  nearly  parallel  to  the  other,  and  at  right  angles  with 
the  river.  Their  works  on  tho  west  side  were  behind  Town  Creek, 
a dcej)  but  narrow  stream  running  from  tho  adjoining  swamp,  and 
well  protected  by  a morass  in  front  Fort  Strong,  on  tho  right, 
was  the  terminus  of  similar  rifle-pits. 

On  the  20th,  General  Terry  moved  Paine’s  colored  division  out 
in  advance,  Abbott’s  brigade  supporting  its  right,  and  Ames’  its 
left.  A sharp  skirmish  occurred,  in  which  the  Federal  loss  was 
ten  killed  and  forty-seven  wounded.  The  rebel  force  was  driven 
into  its  intrenchments,  and  the  Union  troops  pushed  up  to  them. 
Meantime  Cox,  on  the  right  bank,  performed  a brilliant  maneuver, 
resulting  in  the  rout  of  the  enemy  at  Town  Creek.  This  stream, 
seven  miles  below  Wilmington,  is  thirty  feet  deep,  and  skirted 
with  swamps  which  were  deemed  impassable  by  the  foe.  The  only 
bridge  crossing  it  was  approached  by  a long  causeway  completely 
covered  by  artillery.  The  works  opposite  were  carefully  built, 
strongly  manned,  and  constituted  tho  princip.al  lino  of  defense  for 
the  city  on  that  bank. 

Leaving  a single  brigade  to  occupy  tho  attention  of  the  enemy 
in  front,  Cox  cros.scd  the  creek  with  three  brigades,  below  tho 
rebel  lines,  on  a single  old  scow  which  accident  had  thrown  in  his 
way.  They  then  waded  waist-deep  through  tho  morass  for  half  a 
mile,  and  finding  a circuitous  route  through  a rice-field,  after  a four 
hours’  march,  emerged  into  the  telegraph  road  from  Wilmington  to 
Smith  ville,  upon  which  the  rebel  works' were  situated.  Two  of 
the  brigades  moved  rapidly  down  this  road,  while  the  third,  under 
Colonel  Moore,  was  sent  to  a road  farther  west,  which  afforded 
the  only  line  of  retreat  to  the  foe.  i 

At  this  juncture  the  rebels  discovered  that  a crossing  had  been 
effected,  and  hastily  constructed  rifle-pits  to  protect  their  rear;  but 
the  Federal  troops,  the  moment  they  came  in  sight  of  the  works, 
rushed  impetuously  and  with  wild  enthusiasm  to  the  assault.  The 
enemy  opened  rapidly  with  grape  and  canister;  but  firing  hur- 
riedly and  with  ill-directed  aim,  they  inflicted  but  little  loss  upon 
tbe  assaulting  party.  The  works  were  carried  at  the  jioint  of  tho 
bayonet,  the  foe  routed,  and  two  heavy  guns  with  caissons  com- 
plete were  captured,  together  with  32  officers  and  350  men.  Tho 
rest  escaped  in  confusion.  Colonel  Moore  being  unable  to  reach  tho 


C02  Wihninffton,  iV!  G. 

public  road  in  time  to  intercept  the  fugitives.  This  movement  re- 
flected great  credit  upon  General  Cox,  and  proved  the  key  to  Wil- 
mington. 

On  the  21st,  little  was  done  on  Terry’s  side.  General  4.me3  re- 
connoitered  the  forts  m his  front,  but  found  them  too  strong  to 
attack.  The  fleet  continued  to  bombard  the  works  briskly  through 
the  day,  the  enemy  replying  vigorously  with  long-range  guns. 
General  Cox  moved  from  Town  Creek  at  ten  o’clock  a.m.,  and 
reached  Brunswick  River,  opposite  Wilmington,  an  hour  later. 
The  foe  made  no  resistance,  but  burned  the  railroad  bridge  crossing 
to  Eagle  Islatid  and  fired  and  cut  adrift  the  pontoon  bridge.  The 
Sixteenth  Kentucky  secured  a few  pontoons  partially  burned,  and 
passing  over,  skirmished  across  the  island,  establishing  outposts  on 
the  causeway  over  a swamp,  and  within  musket  range  of  the 
wharves.  The  rebels  opened  from  the  city  upon  this  narrow  way 
with  two  Whitworth  guns,  but  before  night  the  Federal  skirmish 
line  was  established  in  the  swamp,  the  artillery  ferried  over,  and 
a few  shells  thrown  into  the  city.  General  Cox  soon  held  Eagle 
Island,  and  secured,  of  course,  the  evacuation  of  the  doomed  city.  | 

About  mid-day,  just  as  General  Schofield  was  preparing  to  fol- 
low Cox,  Terry  sent  back  for  reinforcements,  having  found  the 
enemy  in  heavy  force  in  his  front.  Tie  was  also  led  to  believe  that 
General  Hoke  had  greatly  strengthened  his  army,  and  that  the 
Union  force  would  bo  unable  to  resist  so  formidable  an  attack  as 
then  seemed  imminent.  This  intelligence  was  at  once  forwarded 
to  Cox,  with  orders  to  return  immediately  to  the  mouth  of  Town 
Creek,  where  boats  would  be  in  readiness  to  cross  his  command  to 
Terry’s  assistance.  Fortunately  the  order  did  not  reach  General 
Cox  till  dark,  as  ho  had  advanced  with  great  rapidity  to  the  city 
itself.  Feeling  confident  that  the  information  upon  which  the 
order  was  given  was  erroneous,  he  determined  to  remain  and 
report  the  fact,  and  begin  the  crossing  if  still  deemed  advisable. 
General  Schofield  approved  his  action,  and  ordered  him  to  remain. 

The  result  attested  the  wisdom  of  his  conclusion.  That  night 
the  rebels  began  burning  their  material  and  stores,  and  destroyed, 
it  is  said,  1,000  bales  of  cotton,  15,000  barrels  of  resin,  extensive 
cotton  sheds,  and  an  unfinished  iron-clad,  three  steam  mills,  three 
largo  turpentine  works,  the  railroad  and  pontoon  bridges,  and 
other  property. 

At  daylight,  the  following  morning,  Terry  and  Cox  pressed  for- 
ward, found  the  place  evacuated,  and  soon  entered  it.  The  aban- 


’Waynesboro  ( James  River  Canal^  etc.  003 

donment  of  Hoke's  strong  line  gave  the  Unionists  possession  of  Fort 
Strong,  which  covered  it  on  the  river  side.  Their  next  line,  two 
miles  from  the  town,  was  abandoned  without  a shot.  "With  its  oc- 
cupation there  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists  a number  of 
pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  which  with  those  previously  captured, 
and  with  the  armament  of  the  forts  on  the  river,  swelled  the  list 
of  prize-guns  to  several  hundred.  Seven  hundred  prisoners  were 
captured,  and  some  cotton,  tobacco,  and  other  stores.  Admiral 
Porter  moved  his  fleet  opposite  the  town  at  mid-day,  fired  a salute 
in  honor  of  Washington’s  birthday — a feu  dejoie  at  the  same  time 
in  token  of  the  victory. 

The  entire  Union  losses  in  these  operations  did  not  exceed  200. 
The  city,  with  its  strong  lines  of  defense,  was  carried  by  maneuver 
and  skillful  operations.  It  is  said,  too,  that  from  400  to  500  Union 
prisoners  were  released  by  General  Schofield,  which  had  been  sent 
hither  from  Florence,  S.  C. 

Thus  fell  the  last  rebel  seaport  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  with  its 
giant  fortifications  and  formidable  obstructions — a city  capable  of 
stronger  defense  than  any  other  already  taken  during  the  war. 


WAYNESBORO  (VA.),  JAMES  RIVER  CANAL,  AND 
VIRGINIA  CENTRAL  R.R. 

(SnEEIDAN’S  RAID). 

Febeuabt  11  TO  Maecu  10,  1805. 

XTnionisU,  under  General  Sluridan ; number,  about  8,000  cavalry.  Total 
loss,  69. 

Disunionists,  under  Gen.  Early,  1,800.  EiUed  and  wounded,  5 ; prisoners,  1,352. 

Febkuary  27th,  in  the  gray  twilight  of  the  morning,  Sheridan 
left  his  cavalry  camp  at  Winchester  with  Merritt’s  first  division, 
Custer’s  third,  one  brigade  of  the  second  under  Caphart,  and  two 
sections  of  artillery.  A raging  storm  having  prevailed  for  several 
days  previous,  the  roads  were  in  wretched  condition,  and  the 
streams  in  the  valley  much  swollen  by  constant  rains  and  melting 
snow.  General  Grant  giving  the  order  in  the  face  of  these  seemT 
ingly  unsurmountable  obstacles.  General  Sheridan  promptly  acqui- 
esced. As  the  troops  marched  through  the  town,  the  columns 
were  well  closed,  the  men  looked  fresh  and  vigorous,  and  all 
seemed  eager  to  meet  General  Early  and  his  army,  whom  they  had 
repeatedly  vanquished. 

The  command  pushed  up  the  turnpike,  which  was  in  good  con- 


C04  ’Waynesboro  ( Fa.),  James  River  Canal,  etc. 


dition,  being  macadamized,  and  passed  successively  through  Kerns- 
town,  Middletown,  Strasburg,  and  Woodstock,  crossing  the  inter- 
vening streams  without  opposition.  The  column  bivouacked  at 
the  last-named  place,  having  accomplished  thirty  miles  on  the 
first  day. 

The  second  day’s  march  was  also  pursued  without  encountering 
the  foe.  From  Woodstock  they  advanced  through  Edinburg  to 
llawkinsbnrg,  and  crossed  the  north  fork  of  the  Shenandoah  on  a 
pontoon  bridge,  between  Mount  .Tackson  and  Now  Market.  Nino 
men  of  Custer’s  division  were  drowned  in  crossing.  The  troops 
encamped  at  Lincoln’s  Mills,  between  New  Market  and  Harrison- 
burg, having  performed  a march  of  twenty-seven  miles  during  the 
day.  On  the  third  day,  March  Ist,  the  column  reached  and  left 
successively  Harrisonburg,  Mount  Sydney,  and  Mount  Crawford, 
crossed  kliddle  River,  and  pushing  forward  to  a point  within  four 
miles  of  Staunton,  they  tarried  for  the  night,  having  advanced 
twenty-six  miles. 

General  Sheridan  had  now  learned  pretty  accurately  of  tho 
enemy’s  position.  Up  to  this  time.  Early  had  bad  his  headquar- 
ters at  Staunton ; his  command  was  small,  and  there  was  a possi- 
bility of  capturing  the  entire  force.  The  rebel  general  was  ap- 
prised of  tho  advance  of  Sheridan;  for  the  day  preceding  tho 
entrance  of  the  Federal  troops  into  the  town,  he  notified  the 
citizens  to  remove  their  property,  as  the  Unionists  were  approach- 
ing, and  the  Confederate  army  would  not  be  able  to  hold  tho 
place.  The  inhabitants,  in  response  to  his  suggestion,  removed 
much  of  their  personal  property  to  a place  of  safety. 

Two  or  three  hours  after  coming  into  camp  on  the  third  day, 
orders  were  issued  for  General  Devins  to  break  camp  and  move 
forward.  The  night  was  fearfully  dark  and  stormy;  but,  led  by 
faithful  guides  and  scouts,  they  moved  on  to  Staunton,  drove  tho 
rebel  pickets  in  confusion,  passing  through  tho  town  almost  with- 
out resistance.  Thence  the  brigade  advanced  through  the  Rockfish 
Gap  road,  and  proceeded  to  Christian’s  Creek,  seven  miles  distant, 
and  there  destroyed  a trestle  bridge  on  the  Virginia  Central  Rail- 
road. This  was  accomplished  without  opposition  from  the  foe, 
when’  General  Devins  returned  to  Staunton,  where  he  rejoined  the 
main  column. 

On  the  fourth  day,  March  2d,  the  rain  was  falling  in  torrents; 
yet  no  time  could  be  lost.  Sheridan  saw  his  goal  near  at  band, 
and  ho  possessed  tho  requisite  means  to  accomplish  his  designs. 


(iEORCE  A.  CUSTER, 

IJrevc't  Majoi-(Jcii.  Vols.,  Ijoin  in  Ohio,  about  1840;  t;railuateil  at  IVcst 
Point  in  1801  ; 2(1-Ia('ut.,  htli  Cavaliy,  July,  1801  ; Ist-Lk'ut.,  July  17, 1802, 
and  Aide,  with  rank  of  Capt.,  panic  dale  ; Ih  ig.-Ocn.  Yolp.,  June  20,  1802  ; 
in  iStoneinan’s  and  afterwards  Pleiuson ton’s  coniniand,  wliere  he  lield  a Staff 
ap]iointincnt  for  a lime,  but  in  June,  1802,  commanded  a Brigade  under  Kil- 
jiatrick,  and  was  cflicient  at  Gettysburg;  commanded  a Bivision  under  Sher- 
idan. in  May,  1804  ; toolc  jiart  in  the  two  raids  of  May  and  June,  and  went 
with  Slieridan  to  tin;  Shenandoali  A'alley ; in  tlic  action  of  Opeipian  Creek, 
Sept.  10,  and  Fisher's  Hill,  Sept.  22,  1804  ; pursued  Early  up  the  A alley  ; 
repulsed  the  Hebei  Gen.  llos.per,  Oct.  8.  and  Early,  Oct.  12.  and  jinrsued  Early 
I'or  twenty-si.\  miles,  after  battle  of  Middletown,  Oct.  10,  for  which  In*  was 
brevetted  Major-Gen.  of  \'ols. ; aided  in  desolating  Shenandoah  and  adjacent 
valleys,  in  the  Autumn  and  AVintcr  of  1801-  h,  to  break'  up  the  haunts  of  the 
guerillas;  particijiated  in  Sheridan's  gnat  raid  in  Alarch,  180;"),  capturing 
AFaynesboro’,  destroying  the  railroad,  and  routing  Early  ; was  active  in  the 
actions  of  Binwiddie  O.  If.,  J'^ivo  Forks,  Bcatonville,  and  Appomattox  Sta- 
tion, March  29  to  April  8,  1805;  accompanied  Sheridan  to  Texas,  in  Alay, 
1805. 


^ 


'■  yTayncshoro  ( Fa.),  James  Hiver  Canal,  etc  607 

Ue  therefore  ordered  the  column  to  move  in  quick  time  to 
'Waynesboro,  thirteen  miles  distant,  where  he  supposed  General 
Early  was  in  force.  At  Fishervillc,  five  miles  from  tlie  objective 
point,  Custer’s  division  in  advance  encountered  the  rebel  videttes, 
and  drove  them  back  to  their  camps.  Pressing  on  to  Waync.s- 
boro,  the  column  halted,  and  in  a rccoiinoissancc  discovered  tlio 
enemy  posted  on  a range  of  hills  skirting  South  liiver,  with  five 
pieces  of  artillery  in  position  commanding  the  front  on  which  Cus- 
ter was  apiiroaching.  Two  regiments  were  immediately  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  and  advanced,  firing  briskly ; and  then  the  whole 
line  moved  on  the  enemy’s  position.  To  the  astonishment  of  all, 
the  entire  rebel  line  broke  after  delivering  a single  volley.  Their 
attempt  to  escape  was  fruitless,  as  Custer  closed  bis  lines  on  them, 
aud  surrounded  nearly  the  entire  force,  capturing  87  officers,  1,105 
enlisted  men,  13  flags,  live  caniion,  over  100  horses,  and  100  wag- 
ons, ambulances,  aud  other  vehicles.  General  Early  escaped  to 
Charlottesville. 

On  the  breaking  of  the  enemy,  Custer’s  three  brigades  briskly 
pursued,  and  Caphart’s  brigade,  crossing  South  River,  moved  on  to 
Greenwood  Station.  At  this  point  the  depot  was  destroyed,  also  a 
train  containing  si.v  pieces  of  artillery,  some  commissary  and  ord- 
nance supplies,  which  Early  intended  to  carry  away  in  his  I'ctreat. 
The  artillery  Avas  spiked,  and  the  gnu-carriages  burned.  All  other 
captured  wagons  and  materials  were  also  committed  to  the  (lames. 

Custer  noAV  tarried  till  Merritt  arrived,  and  the  joint  command 
then  advanced  to  Charlottesville.  Here  General  Sheridan  remained 
two  days,  awaiting  ammunition  and  pontoon  trains  from  Waynes- 
boro. The  two  divisions,  meantime,  destroyed  two  large  iron 
bridges  near  Charlottesville,  and  the  railroad  for  a distance  of  eight 
miles  toward  Lynchburg. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  General  Devin,  accompanied  by  General 
Merritt,  advanced  to  Scottsville,  on  the  James  River;  making  the 
work  of  destruction  thorough,  they  i)roceeded  to  Duguidsville, 
following  the  canal,  every  lock  of  wliich  was  demolished,  and  in 
many  places  the  banks  of  the  canal.  At  the  same  time  Custer’s 
division,  proceeding  down  the  Lynchburg  Railroad  to  Amherst 
Court  House,  laid  waste  every  bridge  and  many  miles  of  the  roatl. 

At  the  Rockfish  River  the  bank  of  the  canal  was  blown  away, 
and  at  New  Cantdb  the  guard-lock  destroyed  and  the  James  River 
let  into  the  canal,  carrying  away  the  banks  and  washing  it  out 
fifteen  feet  below  the  level.  Having  completed  their  work  of  ruin 


G08. 


Kinston^  N.  C. 


at  tills  point,  they  next  advanced  to  Columbia,  inflicting  further 
damage  upon  the  canal,  and  partially  destroying  the  acpieduct  at 
the  latter  place.  The  James  liiver  Canal  being  destroyed  as  far  as 
Goochland,  the  raiding  party  next  marched  up  the  Virginia  Central 
Railroad  to  Beaver  Dam  Station,  totally  breaking  up  fifteen  miles 
of  the  road.  The  enemy  attempted  to  prevent  the  burning  of  the 
Central  Railroad  Bridge  over  the  South  Anna,  but  the  Fifth 
United  States  Cavalry  charged  up  to  the  bridge,  and  thirty  men 
dashed  across  on  foot,  dispersing  the  foe  and  capturing  three  pieces 
of  artillery. 

At  noon,  of  the  10th,  Sheridan’s  advance  arrived  at  the  north 
bank  of  the  Pamunkey,  a few  miles  from  White  House,  and  soon 
crossed  the  river.  The  expedition  was  highly  successful,  and  was 
accomplished  with  a small  loss.  The  value  of  property  destroyed 
by  Custer’s  division  alone  is  estimated  at  $2,000,000. 

Nearly  800  negroes  came  in  with  the  army,  women  having 
traveled  on  foot,  carrying  children,  and  kejit  up  with  the  cavalry 
all  the  way  from  Columbia.  Sheridan  advanced  to  within  fifteen 
miles  of  Lynchburg  and  twelve  of  Richmond.  Not  a bridge  was 
left  on  the  James  between  the  two  cities,  and  not  a railroad  bridge 
between  Staunton  and  Charlottesville. 


KINSTON,  N.  C. 

March  9 to  13,  1865. 

XJnioniais^  under  QeneraU  Schojield^  Cox^  and  Couc\from  10,000  to  15,000  {forcA 
chiejly  engaged  estimated  ai  less  than  10,000).  Killed  and  wounded,  600 ; 
tners,  1,500. 

VisunionisUi,  under  Generate  Bragg,  Hill,  and  Hoke,  10,000  to  15,000.  2'otal 
U)ss,  2,080. 

While  Sherman  was  marching  across  South  Carolina,  the  co- 
operative column  of  Schofield,  in  compliance  with  the  former  gene- 
ral’s orders,  abandoned  the  line  of  the  Wilmington  and  Weldon 
Railroad  in  its  advance  against  Raleigh  and  Goldsboro’,  and  adopted 
the  lino  of  tho  Atlantic  and  North  Carolina  road.  To  accomidish 
this  purpose,  tho  twenty-third  corps  was  withdrawn  from  Wilming- 
ton, and  sent  around  by  transports  to  Newbern.  Palmer’s  perma- 
nent garrison  at  that  point,  tho  provisional  division  sent  from  Ten- 
nessee, and  the  above-mentioned  corps  were  formed  into  a strong 
army,  under  the  direct  command  of  Cox. 

March  fith,  the  column  commenced  its  forward  movement ; tho 
advance  was  occupied  all  that  day  and  night  and  the  following  day 


Kinston^  If.  C. 


609‘ 


in  removing  tlie  numerous  obstructions  placed  bj  tbe  enemy  in  the 
roads.  They  moved  out  on  the  Trent  road  and  protected  the  pio- 
neers and  construction  detail,  who  removed  the  felled  trees  and 
rebuilt  the  bridges.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  there  was  some 
inferior  skirmishing  between  a small  body  of  Colonel  Classen’s 
command  and  the  enemy’s  skirmishers,  which  resulted  in  the  latter 
being  driven  to  their  works  at  Jackson  Mills,  four  and  a half  miles 
east  of  Kinston.  There  was  subsequently  more  or  less  artillery 
firing  till  night  came  on,  but  the  results  were  insignificant. 

Wednesday,  the  8th,  dawned  quietly,  but  intelligence  was  soon 
received  that  a movement  was  in  progress  to  turn  the  left  flank  of 
the  Union  army.  The  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts  was  imme- 
diately ordered  into  the  woods  south  of  the  road  and  formed  in 
line  of  battle.  Carter’s  division  held  the  left  of  the  line,  and  Palm- 
er’s division  the  right.  About  mid-day,  Hoke’s  division  having 
gained  a position  upon  the  left  and  rear  fell  upon  Carter  with  great 
force.  The  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts  resisted  the  shock  with 
admirable  gallantry ; the  Fifteenth  Connecticut  displayed  equal  valor. 
But  the  rebels,  pressing  in  on  all  sides  with  great  force,  completely 
surrounded  and  swept  off  the  greater  part  of  both  regiments,  the 
former  numbering  200  men,  and  the  latter  about  1,300.  A simul- 
taneous demonstration  on  the  front  of  both  the  first  and  second 
divisions  completed  the  repulse  of  the  Federal  troops.  Their  total 
loss  in  the  contest  was  1,500  men  and  three  guns.  The  enemy 
swept  the  field  and  forced  the  Unionists  back  a few  miles,  when  a 
halt  was  made  and  the  line  re-established. 

About  two  hours  after  this  affair.  Colonel  Savage,  of  the  New 
York  Twelfth,  made  a cavalry  reconnoissance  toward  the  rebel  rear 
and  captured  sixty-five  men,  five  ambulances,  and  a surgeon.  The 
rebels  soon  attacked  Palmer  on  the  right,  but  were  quickly  repulsed. 
Tlio  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  small  on  both  sides,  the  casual- 
ties in  the  Federal  army  being  less  than  100  for  the  day.  A littlo 
skirtnish  took  place  on  the  left  during  the  afternoon. 

The  new  line  extended  still  in  front  of  Jackson’s  Creek,  where 
the  enemy  was  posted  at  Jackson’s  Mills,  but  drawn  farther 
back  for  consolidation.  About  three  o’clock,  the  third  division, 
which  had  taken  no  part  in  the  battle,  marched  up  from  the 
rear  and  occupied  a gap  between  the  first  and  second  divisions. 
The  first  brigade  of  the  latter  skirmished  a littlo  in  advance,  and 
with  that  the  day  closed.  Correspondents  reported  that  many  of 
the  Union  troops  vrere  fragmentary  portions  of  a large  number  of 


610  Averyshoro'  and  Moor's  Cross  Hoads,  JV.  0. 

regiments  from  different  States,  many  of  them  without  officers  of 
tlieir  own,  some  of  them  being  convaJescents,  others  new  recruits, 
and  all  of  them  but  slightly  disciplined  under  the  new  organization. 

The  following  morning,  the  9th,  tlioro  was  active  skirmishing  on 
both  sides  throughout  the  day  and  evening,  without,  however,  any 
decisive  results.  About  200  prisoners  were  captured  by  the  Union- 
ists. The  early  morning  of  the  10th  opened  in  the  same  manner, 
but  the  enemy  soon  began  to  attack  with  fierce  determination. 
Having  ascertained  that  Couch  was  advancing  to  join  Cox,  they 
resolved  to  make  a furious  and  speedy  onset  upon  the  latter,  and  if 
possible  annihilate  him  before  reinforcements  should  arrive.  Again 
and  again  they  charged,  amid  a roar  of  cannon  and  musketry  that 
was  deafening  and  terrible  as  it  swept  through  the  air.  Driving 
the  Federal  skirmishers  from  their  rifle-pits  back  to  their  breast- 
works, the  rebel  hordes  came  pouring  over  into  them.  But  the 
rushing  wave  met  a tempest  of  deadly  missiles  and  suddenly  re- 
coiled. In  an  attempted  flank  movement  on  the  Union  left  an  entire 
regiment  of  Alabamians  was  captured.  The  Federal  troops,  elated 
with  their  success,  rushed  madly  upon  the  foe  and  soon  gave  them 
a decisive  repulse.  The  rebel  dead  and  wounded  were  left  upon 
the  field,  and  several  hundred  prisoners  captured.  Their  entire  loss 
was  conjectured  to  bo  about  1,500.  The  Union  loss  was  not  over 
600. 

The  repulse  of  Bragg  on  the  10th,  and  the  arrival  of  Couch’s 
division  on  the  11th,  forced  the  former  to  retreat  across  the  Neuse 
to  Kinston.  The  bridge  was  fired  as  soon  as  the  crossing  had  been 
accomplished.  The  joint  forces  of  Cox  and  Couch  pursued  them 
vigorously,  reconstructed  the  bridge,  and  on  the  13th  occupied 
Kinston,  General  Bragg’s  army  having  fallen  back  toward  Goldsboro’. 


AVEKYSBORO’  AND  MOOR’S  CROSS  ROADS,  N.  C 

March  15  and  10,  1865. 

Unionists^  under  General  Sherman^  about  30,000.  Total  loes^  747. 

DimnionUtSy  under  General  Johnatony  e-'ithnated  at  20,000.  Total  losSy  COO. 

Makoii  14th,  General  Sherman  left  Fayetteville  for  Goldsboro’, 
having  given  orders  for  Schofield  and  Terry  to  join  him  at  the  lat- 
ter point  with  their  several  columns.  There  his  immediate  cam- 
paign was  to  end,  and  then  his  position  would  be  established  with 
Newbern  for  a base.  The  rebel  General  Johnston  was  lying  along 


Avery shor o’  and  Moor's  Cross  Roads,  AT.  C.  611 

the  Raleigli  roads,  and  Sherman  was  not  long  in  solving  tlic  plans 
and  possibilities  of  his  opponent.  Having  decided  that  Johnston 
would  make  a bold  elfort  to  turn  the  left  flank  of  the  Federal  army 
in  its  march  upon  Goldsboro’,  the  Union  general  threw  out  Slocum’s 
left  wing,  in  light  marching  order,  and  without  trains,  to  withstand 
the  expected  attack  and  cover  the  advance  of  the  wagons  and  tlie 
main  army  upon  the  objective  point.  A strong  column  was  also 
sent  up  the  Raleigh  road  against  Johnston,  in  a direct  demonstra- 
tion upon  Raleigh.  This  column  embraced  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry,  in 
heavy  force,  Jackson’s  and  Ward’s  divisions  of  the  twentieth  corps, 
and  Carlin’s  and  Morgan’s  divisions  of  the  fourteenth  corps.  Be- 
tween this  light  column  and  the  right  wing  was  the  remainder  of 
Slocum’s  wing.  The  right  wing,  most  southerly  of  all,  moved  on 
the  direct  Goldsboro’  road. 

It  soon  became  obvious  that  the  enemy  were  disposed  to  dispute 
the  progress  of  the  advancing  force.  On  the  evening  of  the  16th, 
the  Union  cavalry  advance  encountered  the  enemy’s  cavalry  five 
miles  from  Fayetteville  and  forced  him  back  to  Kyle’s  Landing,  a 
point  half-way  between  Fayetteville  and  Averysboro’.  It  was 
found  that  the  rebel  reserves  were  within  supporting  distance.  Ac- 
cordingly Kilpatrick  sent  back  for  an  infantry  brigade,  and  Hawley 
hurried  forward  to  join  him.  Soon  after  they  engaged  the  foe  with 
great  spirit  and  compelled  his  pickets  to  retire  to  an  advanced  line 
of  intrcncbinent.  The  following  day  Williatiis  brought  up  the  rest  of 
the  twentieth  corps,  and  the  combined  forces  rushed  fiercely  ujiou 
the  opposing  line.  Ere  the  sun  reached  the  meridian,  two  brigades 
of  Ward’s  division  dashed  over  the  rebel  works,  and  the  whole  ad- 
vance line  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists  with  over  200  pris- 
oners and  three  pieces  of  artillery.  The  enemy  retreated  to  bis 
main  line,  still  covering  the  roads  on  which  Sherman’s  command 
was  advancing,  and  extending  from  the  Capo  Fear  River  to  the 
Black. 

A long  and  desperate  series  of  efforts  was  made  to  drive  the 
enemy  from  his  position  and  to  open  the  Goldsboro’  road.  The 
fighting  continued  all  day,  but  not  an  inch  of  ground  was  gained. 
Hardee  confronted  Slocum  with  heavy  force.  But  the  results  of 
the  fighting  were  soon  evident ; for  during  the  night  the  rebels 
abandoned  their  line  and  fell  back  on  Averysboro’,  leaving  their 
dead  and  wounded  on  the  road.  Ward  followed  in  pursuit,  and 
occupied  the  town  without  resistance.  But  it  now  being  apparent 
that  the  Union  left  flank  had  been  sufficiently  covered,  to  secure 


I M 


612 


JBentoJisville^  JV.  O. 


tlie  safe  passage  of  the  army  to  the  point  of  its  destination,  the  rest 
of  Slocum’s  column  struck  off  and  moved  toward  Goldsboro’. 

The  rebel  loss  in  this  severely  contested  struggle  was  327  killed 
and  wounded,  and  273  prisoners.  The  Federal  loss  was  747. 

The  rebel  position  was  one  of  great  strength,  and  they  defended 
it  with  a valor  worthy  of  a better  cause.  The  well-contested  and 
successful  battle  of  the  16th  occurred  at  a junction  called  Moor’s 
Cross  Roads,  which  has  furnished  it  with  a second  name. 


BENTONSVILLE,  N.  C. 

MABon  19  AND  20,  1865. 

UnionieU^  under  General  Sherman^  about  65,000  {force  engaged  in  first  day^a 
battle^  less  than  80,000).  Total  loss,  from  1,500  to  2,000. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Johnston,  from  40,000  to  45,000.  Total  loss,  8,000, 

From  Averysboro’,  Sherman  turned  his  column  toward  Bentons- 
ville,  a small  village  lying  due  east  of  the  former  point,  and  distant 
therefrom  eighteen  miles.  Johnston  seeing  on  one  hand  that 
Raleigh  was  safe,  and  on  the  other  that  his  chance  of  breaking  up 
the  Union  army  was  rapidly  diminishing,  came  down  from  Smith- 
field  and  took  position  at  Bentonsville,  extending  his  line  across 
the  front  of  that  village. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  at  a point  three  miles  below  the 
latter  place  and  twelve  from  Cox’s  bridge  on  the  Neuse,  Carlin’s 
division  of  the  fourteenth  corps,  skirmishing  in  advance,  encoun- 
tered and  drove  in  the  enemy’s  cavalry  videttes.  They  fell  back 
till  they  reached  a lino  of  works,  from  which  a few  guns  opened 
briskly.  Carlin  quickly  brought  the  brigades  of  Buell  and  Hobart 
into  line,  and  moved  out  on  the  left  of  the  road,  to  attempt  to  tnrn 
the  rebel  fiank.  But  the  foe  was  found  strongly  posted,  and  return- 
ed a heavy  fire.  Morgan’s  division  now  came  up,  took  position  on 
the  right  of  the  road,  and  both  divisions  of  the  fourteenth  corps 
being  deployed,  the  enemy  was  discovered  in  full  and  strong  force, 
well  intrenched  in  hasty  defenses  on  the  farms  of  Morris  and  Cole, 
fully  prepared  to  resist  all  olfensive  operations  made  by  their  oppo- 
nents. Carlin  and  Morgan  fought  the  enemy,  hut  without  success. 
Slocum  therefore  hurried  the  twentieth  corps  forward  as  fast  as  pos- 
sible and  soon  led  Jackson’s  division  into  the  line  on  the  left  of 
the  road.  Ward  advanced  briskly;  and  Dunstan’s  and  Case’s 
brigades  were  added  to  the  left,  while  Coggswell  was  sent  over  to 
support  the  fourteenth  corps. 


'■  '■  ‘"I’  ;/  , " :-  ■'!/■'■■  V. 


JEFFERSON  C.  DAVIS,  ( 

( 

Brijr.-Cen.  born  in  1830,  cntoreO  IIk;  volnnl.cur  anny  as  a private,  in  j 

the  Mexiean  A\''ar  (1st  Indiana  Vols.),  at  tlie  age  of  1 (!.  Ajipointed  2d-Lient. 

1st  Art.,  U.  S.  A.,  June  17,  1SJ8  ; Ist-Licnt.,  h'eb.  2!),  1852  ; took  part  in  { 

defence  of  Fort  Sninter,  April,  ISOI  ; Q.  1\1.  and  ( hnn.  of  Sujijdic's  at  Indian-  | ' 

apolis,  April  to  Jnly,  18G1 ; Fnpt.  Art.,  U.  S.  A.,  May  14,  1841  ; Col.  22d  ( 

Ind.  Vols.,  Ang.,;  1861  ; comniandant  at  Jell'erson  City,  Oct.,  1861;  Brig-.-  ( 

Gen.  Yols.,  Dec.,  1861;  served  under  Dope  in  AV'inler  of  1861-2;  undi'r  / 

Curtis,  at  Tx'banon,  Springfield  and  I’ea  llidgc  ; in  the  last  batlle,  IMareli  7-8,  | 

1 862,  connnanded  3d  Div.  Atevaenatiou  of  (loiinlh,  j\Iay  30,1862,  with  { 

Gen.  Bnell's  Army  of  the  Ohio.  Si']it.  28,  1862,  had  a (piarrel  with  Major-  J 

Gen.  N'elson,  and  shot  him  ; arrested,  bill  released,  for  this.  Oct.  21,  t8()2,  | 

commanded  center  Division  of  McCook’s  Corps  at  Stone  River.  Dec.  31-Jan.  ( 

2,  1863,  pursued  and  routed  Bebids  at  Fort  Donolson  ; Fell.,  1863,  coniinand-  j 

ed  at  'rriune,  'I’enn.,  IMarch,  1863,  and  again  took  command  of  his  Divi.sion  in  1 

jiursuit  of  Bragg,  June,  1863  ; in  battle  of  Chickamanga,  Sept.  19  and  20,  { 

1863,  and  in  attack  at  Mission  Ridge,  Xov.  2:1,  1863 ; served  in  Atlanta  ( 

campaign,  with  distinction;  Ang.  1,  1864,  was  ajipointed  to  command  14th  J, 

Army  Corps,  and  in  tlie  subseijiient  camjiaigns  of  Savannali  and  the  Caroli-  i 
lias,  his  corps  formed  onedialf  of  (ten.  Sloeimi’s  left  wing  of  the  Army.'  i 


BentonsvUle,  N'.  C.  615 

About  noon,  Carlin  led  Buell  out  to  the  left  to  turn  the  enemy’s 
flank ; but  the  latter,  detecting  the  movement  in  its  inception,  sal- 
lied from  his  intrenchments  and  fell  witli  overwhelming  force  upon 
the  attacking  party,  driving  it  more  than  a mile  through  the  swamps, 
and  capturing  three  guns  and  400  prisoners.  At  length  the  entire 
lino  was  broken  and  driven  Imck.  But  Slocum  handsomely  rallied 
his  troops  from  the  confusion  into  which  this  sudden  assault  had 
thrown  them,  and  made  a new  disposition  of  his  forces.  The  lino 
when  re-formed  at  two  p.m.  w'as  about  two  miles  long.  A hasty 
defense  of  rails  and  earth  was  thrown  up,  and  they  awaited  the 
coming  foe. 

Encouraged  by  this  stroke  of  fortune,  the  enemy  again  swept 
upon  the  Federal  line  and  engaged  in  intrepid  and  desperate  fight- 
ing. During  the  day,  five  grand  charges  were  made  by  the  rebels, 
hut  the  ranks  of  steel  never  wavered.  The  prestige  of  victory  that 
went  with  the  banner  of  freedom  paralyzed  the  arm  of  the  foe,  and 
they  struggled  in  vain.  At  dawn,  the  “ fate  of  the  day  trembled  in 
the  balance;”  but  at  night,  after  a hotly  contested  engagement,  the 
Unionists  held  the  battle-field.  In  the  morning’s  repulse  they  lost 
400  prisoners;  they  captured,  however,  nearly  700.  The  Federal 
loss  was  estimated  at  from  1,500  to  2,000 ; that  of  the  enemy  at 
3,000. 

At  daybreak  of  the  20th,  Slocum’s  other  two  divisions,  Geary’s 
and  Bard’s,  and  Ilazen’s  division  of  the  fifteenth  corps  (the  heroes 
of  Fort  McAllister),  marched  upon  the  field,  having  been  all  night 
upon  the  road.  General  Howard,  with  Logan’s  and  Blair’s  corps, 
camp  up  on  the  right,  and  at  twelve  o’clock  Sherman’s  lino  con- 
fronted the  rebel  general.  The  latter  at  once  made  new  disposi- 
tions, still  clinging  to  the  cross-roads,  which  allowed  Slocum  to  go 
to  the  Goldsboro’  road.  Both  wings  of  the  Union  army  rushed 
forward  to  the  strife.  Davis  i)ressed  proini)IIy  up  to  the  new  rebel 
lino ; Logan  and  Blair  bore  down  ujion  the  right.  Johnston  re- 
sisted stubbornly  ; though  the  day’s  contest  did  not  equal  in  inten- 
sity the  battle  of  the  19th. 

But,  borne  down  by  overwhelming  numbers,  the  rebels  abandoned 
line  after  line,  and  at  nightfall  evacuated  their  position,  retreated 
on  Smithfield,  and  gave  up  the  contest  for  Goldsboro’. 

The  next  day,  Sherman’s  army  marched  to  the  latter  point, 
which  Schofield  had  already  occupied. 

31 


616 


Petersburg,  Va. 


PETERSBURG,  VA. 

(FOIIT  8TEDMAN,  ETC.) 

Maecu  25  TO  27,  1865. 

XJnionintt,  under  Generals  Grant  and  Meade  ; force  employed^  not  far  from  40,000. 

Killed,  180  ; wounded,  1,240 ; missing,  990.  Total  loss,  2,410. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Let,  total  force,  about  67,000— of  fighting 
men,  estimated  at  50,000.  Killed  and  wounded,  about  2,200;  jjrison ers,  2,800. 
Total  lose,  nearly  6,000. 

The  ominous  silence  which  had  brooded  over  Petersburg  for 
several  weeks,  was  at  length  suddenly  broken  by  a vigorous  assault 
of  the  foe. 

March  25th,  in  the  dim  twilight  of  morning,  three  divisions  under 
the  rebel  General  Gordon  silently  and  promptly  formed  for  a charge. 
The  proper  dispositions  of  the  several  divisions  and  brigades  hav- 
ing been  carefully  made,  the  order  “Forward!”  rang  along  the 
line,  and  like  a single  man  the  living  mass  moved  on  to  the  strife. 

Without  sounding  the  note  of  alarm,  the  rebel  troops  reached 
the  line  of  works  thrown  up  for  the  protection  of  their  skirmish- 
ers. At  a given  signal  they  rushed  over  the  intrenchnients  and 
rapidly  cutting  gaps  in  their  own  chenaux  de  /rise,  pressed  on  with 
a frantic  shout  toward  the  Federal  line.  The  attack  fell  upon  the 
ninth  corps ; and  the  skirmish  lino,  completely  surprised  by  an 
almost  overwhelming  force,  gave  way  before  support  could  reach 
it.  The  rebels  pressed  on  with  renewed  vigor,  and  succeeded  in 
severing  the  Union  lino  at  a point  to  the  right  of  Fort  Stedman. 
Peaching  the  opposing  abattis  they  poured  in  a terrific  volley ; 
while  their  pioneers,  under  a heavy  return  fire,  cut  a sufficient  open- 
ing for  the  passage  of  their  troops.  In  a few  minutes  the  Federal 
main  lino  was  forced,  a breach  being  made  to  thef  left  of  Fort 
Stedman.  Breaking  through  at  the  latter  point,  the  enemy  passed 
round  a traveled  road  and  captured  the  fort  by  charging  from  tho 
rear,  through  tho  regular  entrance.  So  rapidly  was  this  accom- 
plished, that  tho  officer  in  command  of  tho  fort.  Major  Randall,  to- 
gether with  General  McLaughlin  and  600  of  his  men  were  taken 
prisoners. 

The  enemy  now  turned  the  guns  of  the  captured  fort  against  tho 
rest  of  the  line,  and  compelled  tho  abandonment  of  Mortar  Bat- 
tery 10,  Battery  9 on  its  right,  and  Battery  11  on  its  left.  The  foo 
dashed  into  these  and  opened  fire  upon  the  fleeing  Unionists.  Fort 
Hascall,  however,  soon  checked  tho  onward  rush  of  the  rebels. 

But  tho  Federal  force  was  now  so  attenuated  that  it  was  in  groat 


Petersburg^  Va.  617 

danger  of  a very  serious  calamity.  At  this  juncture  General  Ilart- 
ranft’s  division  came  to  the  rescue,  and  promptly  forming  for  action 
moved  on  to  recapture  the  lost  ground.  At  the  same  time  all  the 
Union  batteries  were  massed  upon  Fort  Stedman.  A tremendous 
cannonade  burst  forth,  to  whieh  the  enemy  quickly  responded, 
hurling  fearful  volleys  upon  the  assaulting  party  as  they  charged  up 
to  the  fort.  The  resistance  of  the  foe  was  obstinate,  and  at  first 
checked  Ilartranft’s  progress,  inflicting  upon  him  a loss  of  200  kill- 
ed and  wounded.  But  soon  the  huge  batteries  thundering  on  the 
rebel  line,  and  the  determined  advance  of  the  Federal  infantry  on 
every  side,  rolled  back  the  tide  of  battle,  and  the  enemy’s  ranks 
melted  away  like  men  of  mist.  They  fell  back  into  the  fort,  and 
then  beyond  the  fort,  down  the  hill,  abandoning  all  the  guns  they 
had  captured,  in  their  desperate  efibrts  to  regain  their  own  lines. 
The  Federal  guns  opening  with  renewed  vigor  upon  the  fugitives, 
prevented  a large  part  of  the  retreating  force  from  escaping  from 
the  fort;  1,758  of  their  number  were  made  prisoners.  The  total 
rebel  loss  at  this  point  was  2,500. 

At  half-past  eight  the  engagement  was  ended.  Two  hours  later 
General  Gordon  sent  over  a flag  of  truce,  proposing  to  bury  the 
dead.  It  was  promptly  acceded  to.  No  more  firing  occurred  at 
this  point  during  the  day  ; hut  at  night  heavy  musketry  again  rang 
out  upon  the  air,  occasioned  by  the  Unionists  going  out  to  repair 
the  abattis  in  front  of  Fort  Stedman. 

The  troops  on  the  left  of  the  Union  line  had  meanwhile  been  put 
in  motion  to  repel  the  attack  on  the  ninth  corps.  But,  before  tea 
o’clock,  it  was  known  that  the  conflict  was  over  and  the  line  re-es- 
tablished. In  order  to  prepare  for  a possible  assault  on  the  left, 
and  to  reap  some  advantage  from  the  signal  repulse  of  the  rebels 
on  the  right,  the  entire  army  was  ordered  forward. 

By  eleven  o’clock  the  thunder  of  artillery  and  the  sharp  crack 
of  musketry  again  reverberated  through  the  air.  Wright’s  sixth 
corps,  and  Humphrey’s  second,  moved  out  on  the  left  against  the 
enemy’s  intrenched  picket  line,  which  was  far  advanced  from  the 
main  line  of  works.  Rushing  forward  with  exultant  cheering,  the 
sixth  corps,  which  formed  the  assaulting  column,  charged  the  rebel 
position  with  great  gallantry  and  success,  entering  and  occupying 
the  line.  But  the  foe  becoming  aware  of  the  weakness  of  the  at- 
tacking party,  massed  a large  and  overwhelming  force,  and  the 
Unionists  were  compelled  to  fall  back  to  their  original  position. 

The  artillery  in  the  different  forts  had  by  this  time  become  hotly 


618 


Petersburg^  Fa. 


engaged  witli  the  rebel  batteries.  Shells  were  screaming  through 
the  air ; and  away  to  the  left,  volleys  of  musketry  told  that  the 
second  corps  had  entered  the  conflict.  A stronger  attacking  line  was 
required,  and  reinforcements  were  hurried  rapidly  forward.  These 
having  arrived,  and  the  lino  being  fully  formed,  the  bugles  rang 
forth  the  charge. 

From  the  parapet  of  Fort  Fisher  the  blue  crossed  flag  waved  in 
the  breeze,  and  from  tlio  thousands  of  valorous  men  came  back  a 
joyful  cheer  as  they  swept  onward.  The  batteries  on  both  sides 
were  vigorously  plied,  and  not  many  minutes  elapsed  ere  the  sharper 
ring  of  small-arms  mingled  in  the  din  of  battle.  The  line  was  fast 
closing  on  the  rebel  position — a few  minutes  must  decide  the  contest. 
Another  cheer  from  the  Union  troops,  and  a simultaneous  discharge 
of  musketry  from  both  sides,  and  the  works  were  reached.  Colo- 
nel B.  F.  Smith,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second  Ohio 
Volunteers,  and  Major  Clifton  K.  Prentiss,  of  the  Sixth  Maryland 
Volunteers,  were  the  first  to  dash  within  the  rebel  lines.  Scores 
of  the  enemy,  upon  seeing  the  Federal  troops  enter,  threw  down 
their  arms  and  gave  themselves  up  as  prisoners  of  war.  TJie  whole 
number  captured  was  reported  at  420.  The  Union  loss  was  from 
300  to  400. 

About  half-past  two  p.m.,  the  enemy  attempting  to  retake  his  in- 
trenehments  came  down  upon  the  sixth  corps  in  a fierce  attack, 
which  was  continued  in  desultory  fighting  till  night.  Two  hours 
later  a similar  attack  fell  upon  the  second  corps,  and  hero  the  Union 
troops  were  equally  successful  in  repelling  the  assaults.  Darkness 
closed  over  the  scene  with  the  Federal  lines  still  advanced ; and 
though  the  ground  had  been  fiercely  contested,  the  day  was  theirs. 
Firing  at  intervals  continued  through  the  night;  but  at  dawn  all 
was  quiet. 

The  result  of  the  day  was  the  thorough  defeat  of  the  enemy’s 
plans,  the  taking  of  the  strongly  intrenched  picket-line  under  the 
artillery  fire  of  his  main  works,  aud  the  capture  of  ten  battle-flags 
and  2,800  prisoners. 

On  the  2Gth,  at  daybreak,  there  was  a sharp  skirmish  between 
the  pickets  of  the  first  division  of  the  ninth  corps  and  their  oppo- 
nents, but  it  soon  died  away.  At  night  it  was  resumed,  and  con- 
tinued for  several  hours 

The  following  morning.  General  Getty’s  division  of  the  sixth 
corps  was  suddenly  attacked  by  400  rebel  sharp-shooters.  About 
four  o’clock  A.M.  his  pickets  were  surprised  by  a volley  from  the 


Petershirg,  QuaJcer  Hoad,  etc.,  Va.  G19 

enemj,  when  the  latter  instantly  rushed  forward,  forcing  the  pickets 
back  a short  distance.  For  some  time  the  firing  was  rapid  and 
intense.  Preparations  having  been  previously  made  to  repel  any 
attack,  reinforcements  were  speeding  their  way  to  the  threatened 
point.  Soon  after  their  arrival,  a short  but  severe  cng.agcment  en- 
sued, the  rebels  being  forced  hack  with  considerable  los.s,  and  the 
line  re-c.stablishcd.  A truce  afterward  prevailed. 

The  spring  campaign  at  Petersburg  was  thus  inaugurated.  The 
attack  by  the  enemy,  dangerous  in  its  intent  and  successful  in  its 
inception,  happily  for  the  Union  cause,  resulted  in  disastrous  failure. 
Many  conjectures  were  made  as  to  the  inducements  tliat  incited 
the  bold  experiment  of  attacking  the  Federal  lines,  but  further 
developments  justified  the  opinion  tliat  tlie  attack  of  Leo  on  Fort 
Stedman  was  made  to  cover  his  designed  retreat  from  the  Con- 
federate capital. 


PETERSBURG,  QUAKER  ROAD,  BOYDTON  ROAD,  AlfD 
FIVE  FORKS,  VA. 

March  2(>  to  April  1,  1865. 

XTnionifitfs^  under  General  Grant;  force  employed^  not  far  from  100,000 — number 
chiefly  engaged^  about  50,000.  Total  lofifiee^  about  7,000. 

DisunionuUy  under  Oenetutl  Lee;  number  of  fighting  meHy  over  50,000.  7’otal 
losses,  estimated  at  from  12,000  to  15,000. 

Soon  after  the  failure  of  I.ec’s  attack  on  Fort  Stedman,  evi- 
dences of  his  intended  retrograde  multiplied.  Sheridan  accord- 
ingly hurried  through  to  the  left  of  the  Union  lines,  and  Grant 
prepared  to  strike  the  enemy  before  he  should  abandon  his  capital. 

March  26th,  Sheridan’s  cavalry  reached  City  Point,  and  the  fol- 
lowing day  took  position  in  Gregg’s  old  cavalry  camp  on  the  left 
and  rear  of  Grant’s  army.  A few  hours  later,  orders  were  received 
at  the  hospitals  for  the  removal  of  the  sick  and  wounded  to  City 
Point;  and  at  midnight  the  entire  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  put 
under  marching  orders.  The  next  day,  March  28th,  was  devoted 
to  preparations  for  the  grand  movement;  and,  the  29th,  the  army 
got  in  motion.  The  movement  was  a simple  repetition  of  what  had 
been  many  times  previously  attempted,  and  as  often  failed  in  its 
execution,  namely,  an  elFort  to  turn  the  enem)'’s  right  by  overlap- 
ping it,  and  to  seize  the  Southside  Railroad.  Sheridan’s  command 
took  the  extreme  left,  and  made  a wide  detour  to  Diuwiddie  Court 
House.  AVarren’s  fifth  corps  came  next,  followed  by  Ilumpbrey’s 
second.  The  sixth  and  ninth  corps  still  held  the  lines  around 


620, 


Petersburg^  Quaker  Poad,  etc.,  Va, 


Petersburg,  On  tlie  27th,  troops  were  selected  from  the  Twenty- 
fourth  and  Twenty-fiftli  corps — ^Ord’s  Army  of  the  Janies — and  tho 
same  niglit  marched  across  the  river,  leaving  the  remainder  of  the 
two  corps  to  garrison  tho  Federal  position  north  of  the  James. 
Old’s  troops  reached  Meade’s  headquarters  at  noon  of  the  28tli,  and 
early  on  the  following  morning  moved  into  the  lines  vaeated  simul- 
taneously by  the  detachment  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Thus 
the  Union  lines  were  preserved  intact  around  Petersburg,  wliiletho 
cavahy  and  the  fifth  and  sixth  corps  were  ready  for  active  marching. 

At  six  o’clock  in  tho  morning  of  tho  29th,  the  cavalry  took  up 
its  line  of  march  on  the  Jerusalem  jdank-road  to  Reams’  Station 
on  the  Weldon  Railroad.  General  Crook  led  the  advance;  General 
Custer  lironght  up  tho  rear  and  guarded  tho  trains.  At  half-past 
nine  they  reached  Rowanty  Creek  at  Malone’s  Rridgo  and  found 
the  latter  conqdetely  destroyed.  Tho  creek  was  so  difficult  of  ap- 
jiroach,  from  tho  swampy  nature  of  the  country,  as  not  to  be  ford- 
able. Accordingly  the  column  was  delayed  four  houi's  for.  tho 
reconstruction  of  the  bridge.  Then  tho  advance  division  crossed, 
and  pushed  on  rapidly  for  Dinwiddle,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  com- 
mand to  follow.  Tho  march  was  again  retarded  by  tho  bad  condi- 
tion of  the  roads,  and  the  trains  were  deeply  mired. 

On  arriving  within  a short  distance  of  tho  point  of  destination, 
they  encountered  the  Sixteenth  North  Carolina  Independent  Bat- 
talion, numbering  about  eighty.  This  lawless  band  attempted  to 
check  farther  advance  by  skirmishing  freely  and  felling  trees  across 
tho  road ; but  they  were  quickly  dispersed  by  a charge  of  the  Twen- 
ty-first Pennsylvania,  of  Gregg’s  division.  A few  rebels  were  taken 
prisoners. 

Tho  town  was  now  occupied  and  communication  opened  with 
the  infantry  on  the  right.  Rain  commenced  falling  at  night  and 
continued  through  the  following  day.  The  roads  were  rendered 
imi)assahlc,  and  tho  trains  could  not  proceed ; consequently  a largo 
part  of  Sheridan’s  command  was  employed  in  guarding  them.  Tho 
rest  moved  up  tho  Boydton  road,  according  to  a previously  con- 
certed plan  of  action. 

Meanwhile  the  infantry  advance  of  Meade,  comprising  the  fifth 
and  second  corps  of  the  Army  of  tho  Potomac,  was  progressing 
favorably.  The  positions  occupied  by  tho  different  corps  before 
the  advance  was  as  follows : the  left  of  tlie  sixth  extended  to 
Hatcher’s  Run.  The  second  extended  down  the  run,  from  tho  left 
of  the  latter,  at  nearly  a right  angle,  nntil  reaching  the  Vaughan 


Petersburg^  Quaker  Poad^  etc.,  Va. 


■C21 


road.  Tho  ;Sft^  corps  was  subst.antially  in  reserve,  and  extended 
back  at  a right  angie  rr^'in  the  left  of  the  second,  in  rear  of  the 
sixth.  Botli  corps  were  thrown  across  Hatcher’s  Run,  the  second 
on  tlie  Vauglian  road,  and  the  fifth  or2_  the  Halifax  road.  Very 
soon  the  former  corps  were  thrown  into  posuion  along  the  route 
from  Hatcher’s  Run  to  Gravelly  Run.  Intrenchments  (vere  speed- 
ily thrown  uj)  to  guard  against  an  attack  from  the  foe;  hut  they  cv- 
jieared  little  dispo.sed  to  oiler  resistance,  and  the  few  jiickcts  aban- 
doned the  [lositions  where  they  had  previously  delayed  the  rcdcral 
troops  by  skirmishing. 

BATTLE  OF  QUAKER  ROAD. 

The  fifth  corps  crossed  Hatcher’s  Run  without  encountering  re- 
sistance. The  old  battle  ground  was  passed  in  perfect  quiet.  Grif- 
fin now  led  the  advance,  with  Crawford  next,  and  Ayer’s  next. 
Their  route  was  along  the  old  stage-road  in  the  direction  of  Din- 
widdie,  until  reaching  the  Quaker  road,  when  the  column  turned 
ahruptl}'  to  the  right.  About  nine  o’clock  a connection  was  formed 
between  the  left  of  the  second  corps  and  the  right  of  the  fifth  corps. 
At  Gravelly  Run  tli^  latter  encountered  opposition  for  the  first 
time.  A rebel  cavalry  vidette  resisted  their  crossing,  hut  were  re- 
pulsed after  a short  skirmish.  The  Federal  trooiis  were  soon  drawn 
lip  in  position,  awaiting  the  attack  of  the  enemy.  The  prepara- 
tions were  completed;  and,  about  three  r.M.,  Hushrod  Johnson’s 
division  came  down  and  attacked  the  Union  skirmishers,  quickly 
driving  them  in,  and  hurst  with  heavy  force  upon  Grifiin’s  division. 
Several  powerful  batteries  were  at  once  brought  to  hear  iqion  the 
foe.  Crawford  and  Ayers  were  quickly  moved  into  position.  A 
brief,  but  sharp  and  terrific  conflict  ensued,  resulting  in  the  defeat 
of  the  enemy  and  his  withdrawal  to  his  original  position.  The 
total  loss  in  the  5th  corps  was  about  600.  The  rebel  loss  was  about 
the  same. 


The  above  engagement  terminated  the  operations  on  the  29th. 
But  during  the  night  a tremendous  cannonade  broke  out  on  the 
right  of  the  Federal  line  around  Petersburg,  lasting  three  hours. 
Shells  were  hurled  across  from  the  ojqiosing  batteries  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. The  rebels  attempting  a recounoitering  movement,  showed 
a Column  in  front  of  their  works,  which  they  were  forced  to  cover, 
and  the  cannonading  was  carried  on  with  the  utmost  fierceness. 
On  both  side.s,  it  was  accepted  as  a vail  for  the  great  movements 
going  on  within  the  respective  lines.  Few  troops  charged,  and 


022 


Petersburg^  Boydton  Planic-Poad,  etc.,  Vd. 


tlio  casualties  were  not  lieavj  on  eitlicr  side.  On  Thursday,  the 
20tli,  the  Union  force  was  again  moved  toward  the  left;  though 
the  storm  greatly  im[)edcd  operations.  Turner’s  division  of  Gib- 
bon’s twenty-fourth  corps  advancing  down  the  Vaughan  road 
crossed  riatcher’s  Ytun,  and  diverging  to  the  right,  made  a connec- 
tion with  I'ne  right  wing  of  the  second  corps.  This  junction  was 
(dSected  with  very  little  firing  and  no  fighting  whatever.  A bri- 
gade of  Foster’s  division  then  moved  out,  and  connected  with  Tur- 
ner’s right,  making  the  lino  of  the  twenty-fourth  again  ('ompleto. 
Field- w'orks  were  thrown  up,  and  with  some  skirmishing,  this  dis- 
position was  thoroughly  accomi)lishcd. 

lilarly  in  the  morning  Sheridan  connected  bis  right  with  Warren’s 
left  near  the  Uoydton  plank-road.  West  of  the  latter  is  a road 
running  to  Five  Forks,  on  which  General  Merritt  pushed  forward  a 
portion  of  Lis  corps.  The  advance — General  Devins’  brigade — 
soon  encountered  the  rebel  cavalry,  which  was  promptly  driven 
back  in  great  confusion.  The  enemy’s  infantry  in  turn  drove  back 
the  Federal  cavalry,  and  the  latter  pushed  out  once  more  to  find 
the  rebel  left.  They  wore  soon  con  fronted*  by  a heavy  infantry 
force  under  command  of  General  Fickett,  which  extended  from 
White  Oak  road  to  Hatcher’s  Run.  The  Federal  cavalry  was  thus 
checked  at  all  points  and  retired  to  Dinwiddic  to  await  co-operating 
movements. 

The  main  body  of  the  Union  army  in  the  mean  time  prepared 
for  the  great  contest  of  the  31st.  Ayi'es’  division  w'as  moved 
across  the  Boydton  road  as  far  as  the  White  Oak  road  ; Griffin  and 
Crawford  followed.  The  second  corps  also  advanced  to  a i)osition 
where  it  could  plainly  see  the  enemy’s  main  works.  Birney’s  and 
Foster’s  divisions  also  pushed  forward  and  occupied  the  rebel  picket 
lines  after  a very  sharp  skirmish.  Artillery  was  used  at  several 
points  by  the  enemy.  The  Federal  loss  for  the  day  was  less  than 
200.  I'he  close  of  operations  on  the  30th  left  the  Union  troops  in 
possession  of  the  Boydton  road,  with  the  right  of  the  fifth  and  left 
of  second  corps  meeting  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Quaker  road.  Sheri- 
dan continued  to  cover  the  left  fiank,  and  remained  at  Dinwiddic. 

UOYDTON  i'la.nk:-i;o.\d,  etc. 

The  31st  opened  cold  and  lowering;  nature  seemed  in  sympathy 
with  the  scenes  of  blood  and  misery  the  day  was  to  inaugurate,  but 
the  Federal  forces  all  moved  forward  steadily  and  cheei-fully.  Tlieir 
object  was  to  possess  the  strategic  position  known  as  Five  Forks, 
the  carrying  of  which  would  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  foe.  Early 


623 


Petersburg,  Boydlon  Planlc-Road,  etc.,  Va. 

Friday  morning,  "Warren  began  to  move  bia  command,  and  sent 
Griffin’s  division  a short  distance  above  tlie  Quaker  road,  to  pro- 
ceed by  the  left  flank  down  the  Boydton  road  to  a point  where  it 
was  to  mass  behind  the  divisions  of  Crawford  and  Ayres,  for  an 
advance  on  the  "White  Oak  road.  About  eight  o’clock  the  latter 
division  was  sent  toward  Dabney  House,  with  Crawford  support- 
ing, and  Griffin  in  the  rear.  Ayres  had  proceeded  half  a mile  be- 
yond the  plank-road,  and  crossed  a branch  of  Gravelly  Eun,  when 
the  rebel  skirmishers  fired  upon  the  troops,  and  then  fell  back  upon 
their  main  works.  A rapid  and  destructive  fire  was  then  opened 
upon  Ayres’  advance,  which  broke  and  fell  to  the  rear.  The  enemy 
rushing  from  his  w'orks  charged  desperately  upon  Ayres’  division  ; 
the  troops  resisted  stubbornly  ; but  flesh  and  blood  could  not  with- 
stand the  impetuous  onset  of  the  foe.  Their  columns,  handled  with 
masterly  skill,  swept  the  field,  and  two  divisions  of  the  fifth  corps 
were  driven  back  to  the  Boydton  road.  A cloud  of  ill-fortuuo 
and  uncertainty  thus  rested  over  the  grand  movement. 

Meantime  the  enemy,  having  so  successfully  repelled  the  infantry 
advance,  attempted  to  cut  off  the  cavalry.  The  movement  of  the 
fifth  cori)S,  terminating  so  disasti'ously,  greatly  exposed  Sheridan’s 
troops,  and  checked  the  proposed  advance  on  Five  Forks. 

Soon  after  noon,  the  rebels  attacked  Smith’s  brigade,  which  with 
Davies’  and  Briggs’  brigades  were  supporting  and  holding  the  left 
of  Sheridan’s  lines.  A few  prisoners  were  taken  on  both  sides, 
but  the  Union  troops  held  their  ground.  The  enemy  next  directed 
an  attack  upon  Davies’  brigade,  which  held  a bridge  across  Stony 
Creek.  It  stubbornly  resisted,  but  the  rebels  forded  the  creek, 
flanked  the  brigade,  and  forced  it  back  with  heavy  loss. 

Having  crossed  the  ford,  they  attacked  Sheridan’s  left  center  in 
heavy  force,  and  drove  it  back.  The  commands  were  forced  into 
jiew  positions  as  rapidly  as  |)03sible  and  reinforcements  hurried  for- 
ward. By  five  o’clock,  the  greater  part  of  both  divisions  had  been 
repulsed  and  driven  back  several  miles  to  the  Boydton  road.  The 
enemy,  being  heavily  reinforced,  again  swept  forward  with  a furi- 
ous charge,  cheering  and  gallantly  advancing,  but  they  now  en- 
countered the  entire  Feder.al  cavalry.  Desperate  fighting  took  place 
here.  Again  and  again  the  enemy  rushed  upon  the  troops  in  im- 
petuous charge,  but  they  quickly  closed  up  every  rent  made  in 
their  l anks  and  stood  as  compact  as  iron.  Finding  that  the  line 
could  not  be  penetrated,  the  I'ebcls  retired  to  the  woods. 

The  fifth  corps  did  not  pause  long  on  the  Boydton  road,  but 

21* 


G24 


Petersburg^  Five  Forks^  etc.^  Vet. 


rallied  when  the  foe  desisted  from  the  pursuit,  and  advanced  upon 
the  ground  it  had  abandoned.  The  enemy  being  chiefly  engaged 
witli  the  cavalry,  fell  back  before  the  Unionists,  and  the  entire  lost 
ground  was  regained. 

Simultaneously  with  the  successful  advance  of  this  corps,  two 
divisions  of  tho  second  moved  forward.  They  were  quickly  met 
by  a heavy  fire,  and  dashed  into  one  of  tho  hottest  engagements  of 
tho  day.  The  blood-red  tide  of  battle  surged  to  and  fro : tho 
Unionists  assaulted  fiercely;  tho  enemy  resisted. stubbornly,  but  at 
length  withdrew,  and  tho  corps  advanced  three  fourths  of  a mile. 
About  150  prisoners  wore  captured;  the  cavalry  and  tho  fifth  corps 
together  took  200.  On  the  right  of  tho  second  corps,  a detachment 
of  the  twenty-fourth  corps  was  thrown  forward  to  co-operate  with 
the  general  advance  of  tho  morning.  They  carried  the  enemy’s 
thin  picket  in  their  front  and  captured  189  prisoners. 

The  results  of  the  day  were,  upon  tho  whole,  a success  to  tho  foe. 
The  Union  army  was  driven  back  from  its  advanced  position,  and 
its  plans  completely  foiled.  But  its  numerical  force  and  tho  admi- 
rable handling  of  the  many  batteries  in  the  field-works  checked  tho 
foe  in  turn,  and  compelled  his  withdrawal.  The  Federal  losses  on 
the  whole  lino  were  from  2,500  to  3,000.  The  Oonfoderato  losses 
were  not  so  severe. 

FIVE  FOIiKS. 

The  groat  events  of  tho  ever-memorable  Saturday,  April  1st, 
18(15,  were  initiated  at  an  early  hour  of  tho  day  by  an  attack  of 
the  enemy  upon  h lino  of  tho  twenty-fourth  corps.  Tho  night  of 
31st  was  rife  with  activity;  tho  National  troops  applied  themselves 
vigorously  to  tho  construction  of  works,  and  made  every  prepara- 
tion for  the  approaching  attack.  Tho  first  gray  of  tho  dawn  was 
appearing  in  tho  east,  when  General  Foster  ordered  Danby  to  put 
his  brigade  under  arms.  Just  as  tho  troops  were  forming  in  line, 
tho  enemy  made  an  unexpected  dash  upon  tho  works;  such  was 
the  celerity  and  silence  of  the  advance,  that  tho  rebel  battle-flag 
Avas  already  floating  on  tho  Federal  parapets  as  Danby 's  troops  lined 
them.  A short  hand-^to-hand  encounter  ensued,  eventuating  in  tho 
repulse  of  tho  foe. 

Soon  after  the  grand  dispositions  for  the  day  began.  Grant  as- 
signed the  command  of  all  tho  cavalry  and  tho  fifth  corps  of  infan- 
try to  Sheridan,  believing  that  this  was  tho  surest  means  of  pre- 
venting the  recurrenee  of  tho  recent  disaster.  TIio  latter  now  con- 
trolled nearly  four  divisions  of  cavalry,  and  three  of  infantry — a 


GEN  SHERIDAN  AT  THE  BATTLEOFFIVE  FORKS 


« 


Petersburg y Five  ForJes^  etc.,  Fa.  G27 

force  not  far  from  30,000,  and  of  double  the  strength  which  the 
jebels  could  concentrate  against  him  at  Five  Forks;  while  the  en- 
tire Union  army  threatened  the  whole  length  of  the  protracted  line 
from  Dinwiddio  to  Petersburg. 

The  cavalry  started  for  their  appointed  positions  at  daybreak  of 
Saturday,  Custer  and  Devins  slowly  driving  the  enemy  toward  the 
left  of  their  works  on  the  White  Oak  road.  These  divisions  now 
dismounted  and  fought  with  carbines.  The  brigades  of  Gregg  and 
Mackenzie  were  kept  in  the  saddle  in  order  to  move  with  greater 
rapidity  on  the  flank  of  the  rebels.  With  masterly  skill,  Slieridan 
pressed  his  men  steadily  up  to  the  enemy’s  intrenchments  on  every 
side.  The  foe  retreated  with  slow  pace  through  the  broken  coun- 
try to  liis  main  position,  delivering  a withering  fire  upon  the  Union- 
ists— making  fearful  havoc  in  their  ranks.  But  the  stern  battalions 
never  wavered.  Like  a pillar  of  fire  the  great  military  leader  guided 
on  his  legions  to  victory,  his  presence  a tower  of  strength  to  his 
command,  a consuming  fire  to  his  adversary.  Gradually  the  forces 
were  all  brought  into  position,  with  a division  or  more  well  round 
upon  the  enemy’s  flank  and  rear,  the  rest  pressing  slowly  and  with 
heavy  loss  upon  the  front  of  their  works.  After  the  repulse  of  the 
previous  day,  the  fifth  corps  had  moved  to  the  Butler  House,  and 
thence  on  the  road  toward  Foi'd’s  Station.  About  three  o’clock, 
Saturday,  r.M.,  this  corps  was  ordered  forward  to  sup[)ort  the  cav- 
alry, and  marched  till  it  halted  facing  obliquely  the  White  Oak 
road,  with  Ayres  on  the  left,  Crawford  in  the  center,  Griffin  on  the 
right.  The  corps  was  now  maneuvered  so  as  to  execute  what  cus- 
tom has  allowed  to  be  a “left  wheel”  of  the  battle  line,  Ayres’ 
division  being  a kind  of  pivot,  with  Griffin  on  the  outer  flank. 
Very  little  regularity,  however,  was  observed  in  this  movement. 
'I’ho  I'obcls  fell  back  stubboi'iily  ; but  at  five  o’clock,  fully  compre- 
hending tlieir  dangerous  situation,  made  a sudden  and  decisive 
stand.  AVith  huzzas  that  rent  the  skies  they  rushed  to  battle.  For 
two  hours  the  terrific  conflict  raged  with  unabated  fury.  Clouds 
of  Federal  cavalry  pressed  on  one  flank,  while  the  mass  of  infantry 
boro  down  on  the  other.  The  enemy  w'ero  numerically  weak,  but 
fought  with  a gallantry  worthy  of  a nobler  cause. 

Strongly  intrenched  and  with  battery  in  position,  they  pourod  a 
deadly  fire  upon  the  valorous  columns.  The  slaughter  was  fearful, 
wide  gaps  were  made  in  the  shivering  lines  at  every  discharge,  but 
as  the  lightning-riven  cloud  closes  swiftly  again,  so  did  the  heroic 
men  close  over  every  rent  made  by  the  destructive  battery.  Still 


628  Petersburg  and  Piehmond,  Fa. 

the  storm  of  battle  grew  wilder,  wave  after  .wave  of  destruction 
swept  over  the  devoted  band,  till  they  staggered  back  from  the  iii- 
treiichmcnts  appalled ; and  now  it  seemed  that  the  contest  would 
again  culminate  in  disaster  to  the  Federal  army.  But  the  gallant 
Sheridan,  scorning  a failure,  resolutely  determined  to  avert  impend- 
ing danger.  Lending  his  personal  presence  to  all  parts  of  the  field, 
ho  cheered,  urged,  and  impelled  his  forces.  Infusing  his  own  lion- 
hearted  courage  into  the  troops,  tliey  struggled  forward,  and  at 
lengtii  surrounded  the  ballled  foe  on  every  side,  completely  exhaust- 
ing him.  Cheering  exultantly  they  swarmed  over  his  parapets  and 
planted  the  Stars  and  Stripes  that  again  proclaimed  the  National 
arms  triumphant. 

The  enemy,  weary  and  decimated,  and  well  convinced  of  the 
utter  hopelessness  of  further  resistance,  broke  to  the  rear  through 
the  only  outlet  remaining  to  liim.  Sheridan’s  overwhelming  forces 
immediately  rushed  upon  the  foe,  and  another  'fierce  struggle  en- 
sued. At  half-[)ast  seven  the  roar  of  battle  died  away,  and  peace- 
ful quiet  succeeded.  Four  tliousand  prisoners,  six  cannon,  an  am- 
bulance and  baggage  train,  several  thousand  muskets,  and  twenty 
or  thirty  flags  were  the  fruits  of  the  blood-bought  victory.  The 
Federal  losses  were  roughly  estimated  at  from  2,600  to  4,000.  The 
enemy’s  loss  exclusive  of  prisoners  was  reported  at  3,000,  which 
would  make  his  total  loss  7,000. 


PETEESBURG  AND  RICHMOND,  VA. 

April  2 and  3,  1865. 

Uninnints^  under  General  Grant;  force  employed^  not  far  from  100,00^;  troope^ 
chiefly  engaged^  about  70,000 ; losaee  reported  at  nearly  8,000. 

DieunionhU^  under  General  Lee ; entire  ejfective force^  estimated  at  52,000 ; num^ 
her  of  fighting  men^  about  42,000.  Killed  and  wounded^  not  > eported  ; mis^ftiig^ 
about  9,000. 

AnouT  nine  o’clock  the  joyful  tidings  of  Sheridan’s  success 
reached  Grant’s  headquarters.  In  order  to  co-operate  with  Sheri- 
dan, a general  cannonade  was  ordered  along  the  front.  It  opened 
at  ten  o’clock,  and  resulted  in  a terrific  artillery  action  unsurpassed 
during  the  siege. 

While  the  cannonade  was  raging,  dispositions  were  made  for 
the  grand  assault  on  Petersburg,  which  was  to  begin  at  four 
o’clock  on  the  morning  of  April  2d.  The  ninth  corps  was  posted 
in  the  old'  works  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  held  a line 


Petersburg  and  Richmond,  Fa. 


631 


extending  from  the  Appomattox  to  tlie  Weldon  Eailroad,  a dis- 
tance of  five  miles,  confronted  at  all  points  by  the  strongest  -works 
tf  the  rebels,  mounted  with  the  heaviest  artillery.  These  consti- 
tuted the  opposing  lines,  the  strengthening  and  perfecting  of  which 
had  occupied  the  contending  armies  for  many  months,  and  be- 
tween these  linos  all  the  battles  had  been  fought  occurring  in 
front  of  Petersburg.  The  sixth  corps  was  massed  in  front  of  the 
Union  forts  Welch  and  Fisher,  Wheaton’s  division  holding  the 
right,  Getty’s  the  center,  and  Seymour’s  the  left.  The  second 
corps  was  in  advance  of  the  other  two,  and  was  to  aim  the  first 
blow  at  the  enemy.  Its  divisions  were  arranged  with  the  bri- 
gades running  from  right  to  left,  a battery  being  assigned  to  each 
division.  Two  divisions  of  the  twenty -fourth  corps  were  brought 
up  in  support  of  the  sixth  corps,  and  charged  with  it.  At  half- 
past three  the  troops  were  formed  and  in  position,  the  three  divi- 
sions of  the  sixth,  under  Getty,  Wheaton,  and  Seymour,  constituting 
the  assaulting  column. 

Suddenly  a bright  flash  leaped  out  into  the  darkness,  and  a loud 
report  rolled  through  the  air.  A minute  elapsed  and  a similar 
sound  came  from  the  right,  telling  that  the  signal  was  understood, 
and  the  ninth  corps  ready.  Again  there  was  silence  for  a brief  in- 
terval, and  the  sound  of  artillery  firing  was  heard.  But  now, 
instead  of  the  discharge  of  a single  gun,  it  was  the  mingled  report 
of  scores.  The  shrill  scream  and  sharp  report  of  shells  alternated 
with  the  savage,  whirring  sound  of  i-ifled  pieces.  The  sharp  crack 
of  musketry  soon  announced  that  Getty’s  magnificent  division  was 
pressing  the  rebels.  The  sounds  increased  in  volume ; and,  blend- 
ed with  them,  were  the  cheers  of  his  valiant  men.  The  dashing 
Wheaton  had  already  pushed  his  division  forward ; when,  from 
the  enemy’s  line  opposite  Fort  Welch,  hostile  batteries  commenced 
liurling  solid  shot  and  shell  at  random  in  the  darkness.  Seymour, 
■with  heroic  courage,  urged  forward  the  veterans  of  the  third  divi- 
sion against  the  thundering  batteries,  and  then  all  was  chaotic 
confusion : smoke  and  darkness,  pierced  by  innumerable  tongues 
of  liquid  fire ; the  heavy  roar  of  artillery  ; the  crack  of  musketry ; 
and,  mingled  with  all,  the  cheers  of  the  combatants.  Daylight 
dawned  slowly  to  the  anxious  spectators,  whose  hearts,  how- 
ever, had  already  been  relieved  by  noticing  that  one  by  one  of  tho 
rebel  guns  ceased  firing,  and  the  musketry  receded,  while  tho 
cheering,  often  swelling  into  long,  loud  shouts  of  triumph,  grad- 
ually died  away  in  the  distance.  General  Wright,  the  leading 


602 


Petersburg  and  Pichmond,  Va. 


corps  commander,  liad  boldly  asserted  that  he  would  go  through 
the  foe  like  a knife,  and  liis  prediction  was  verified;  for  the  main 
line  of  the  enemy’s  was  seized,  together  with  huudreds  of  prison- 
ers, numerous  pieces  of  artillery,  many  battle-flags,  and  other 
l)roperty.  The  achievement  was  complete  and  triumphant,  and 
the  first  rays  of  the  morning  sun  fell  upon  the  flags  of  the  divi- 
sions, as  they  floated  buoyantly  over  the  ramparts  of  the  captured 
forts. 

To  retain  what  they  laid  already  gained  necessitated  farther 
conquest.  For  this  j)Ur|)ose,  the  third  division  was  deployed  to 
the  left.  From  foi  ts  and  other  parts  of  tlio  line  the  infuriated  foe 
were  rapidly  firiitg ; these  forts  must  be  captured,  and  the  guns  si- 
lenced. Two  brigades  were  then  pushed  forward,  and  General 
Wright,  after  assuring  himself  of  the  safety  of  other  parts  of  the 
line,  directed  his  attention  to  active  operations  going  on  toward 
the  left.  Seymour  continued  advancing,  and  after  a spirited 
encounter,  broke  through  to  the  Southside  Railroad,  and  com- 
menced tearing  it  up.  Here  ho  found  the  twenty-fourth  corps, 
which,  between  the  sixth  and  second,  had  been  equally  fortunate. 
The  right  division  of  the  second  corps  and  the  two  divisions  of 
the  twenty-fourth  had  captured  about  1,000  prisoncr.s  and  many 
guns.  Tlie  entire  line  was  now  pressing  in  toward  Petersburg — • 
the  twenty-fourth  marching  in  to  the  support  of  the  sixth,  and 
Wheaton  pressing  on  to  the  aid  of  the  ninth. 

The  l ebels,  from  a strong  position,  opened  a hot  and  de.struc- 
tive  fire  ui)on  the  Unionists;  but,  after  a hard  struggle,  suc- 
cumbed,—their  leader.  General  A.  P.  Kill,  having  fallen  with 
many  of  his  most  valued  officers.  At  eleven  o’clock  the  hardest 
fighting  was  done,  and,  with  brief  pause,  the  lines  were  once  more 
gathered,  and  the  twenty-fourth,  second,  and  sixth  again  formed 
for  a final  attack  on  the  city.  Artillery  was  put  in  motion,  and 
soon  the  b.attle  raged  with  even  greater  intensity  than  in  the 
morning.  The  enemy  seemed  determined  to  defend  their  forts  to 
the  last,  but  nothing  could  resist  the  tried  valor  of  Wright’s 
troops.  The  long  lines  were  gradually  closed  on  the  forts,  and 
the  garrisons  compelled  to  yield  to  inevitable  circumstances.  The 
contest  continued  till  nearly  nightfall,  and  the  Union  troops  added 
largely  to  their  captures  of  men  and  artillery.  At  dark,  the  sixth 
corps  rested  its  left  close  to  the  Appomattox,  south  of  the  city, 
having  captured  2,000  prisoners  and  20  guns. 

But  the  ninth  corps  was  engaged  in  the  severest  fighting,  and 


Petershitrg  and  liicJunondy  Fa. 


C.33 

suffered  the  heaviest  losses  of  the  day.  Wilcox’s  division,  on  the 
right,  extended  from  the  Appomattox  to  Fort  Emory,  a distance 
of  two  miles.  The  divisions  of  Porter  and  Uartranft  filled  the 
intervening  space  to  the  Weldon  Railroad,  a distance  of  three 
miles  more.  On  the  previous  night,  during  the  heavy  cannonade, 
Wilcox  made  a demonstration  on  his  extreme  right,  in  order  to 
draw  as  many  of  the  rebels  as  possible  in  that  direction,  and  thus 
assist  the  attacks  phanned  for  the  next  morning.  All  the  artillery 
on  that  part  of  the  line  was  ordered  into  play,  and  the  skirmish 
line  advanced.  They  moved  steadily  forward,  and  soon  the  sharp 
volleys  of  musketry  indicated  their  approach  to  the  rebel  lines ; 
the  artillery  on  the  heights  behind  them  fired  more  briskly,  the 
shells  shrieking  through  the  air  over  their  heads.  Then  the  en- 
emy’s batteries  awoke,  and  the  din  of  battle  was  fearful.  Amid 
the  wild  confusion  skirmishers  still  advanced,  meeting  with  so 
little  opposition  that  they  were  enabled  to  cross  the  enemy’s  lines, 
enter  their  works,  capture  a number  of  prisoners,  and  finally  ad- 
vance into  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  where  they  met  a body  of 
rebel  troops  hastily  concentrating  to  defend  the  east  of  the  city. 
A brisk  engagement  was  fought,  but  the  overwhelming  numbers 
of  the  foe  compelled  the  skirmishers  to  fall  back  to  their  own  lines. 

The  following  morning,  at  four  o’clock,  the  ninth  corps  ad- 
vanced simultaneously  with  the  sixth.  The  men  itioved  quietly 
and  in  perfect  order.  A painful  interval  of  suspense  followed. 
Presently  a report  is  heard — another,  and  then  a volley  breaks 
upon  the  .air.  Hearty  cheers  mingle  with  the  roar  of  musketry. 
The  flash  of  the  latter  discloses  the  positions.  Instantly  the  artil- 
lery of  both  sides  is  at  work,  and  two  hundred  guns  belch  forth 
their  thunder  tones  of  anger.  All  other  sounds  arc  lost  in  the 
deep  reverberation  of  the  cannon.  But  the  work  is  done.  The 
gall.ant  leader  orders  a charge,  and  his  troops  dash  over  breast- 
works, rifle-pits,  abattis,  chevaux  de  fvue^  and  the  parapet  of  the 
fort  into  the  main  work,  and  capture  250  ])risonera.  Fine  guns 
were  also  taken,  and  immediately  turned  upon  the  rebel  batteries. 

Scarcely  was  this  g.allant  achievement  accomplished,  when  the 
enemy,  having  reorganized  and  secured  some  reinforcements, 
came  up  with  determined  effort  to  retake  the  fort.  They  assaulted 
desperately,  standing  up  manfully  against  terrific  discharges  of 
grape  and  canister  and  withering  volleys  of  musketry ; but  their 
heroic  efforts  were  fruitless.  The  brave  little  garrison  .stood  their 
g'ound  obstinately,  while  the  artillery  of  all  the  Union  forts  sent 


GH  i Petersburg  and  Richmond^  Va. 

forf.h  tlioir  murderous  fire.  At  length  the  rebel  line  wavered, 
hrolce,  and  fell  hack  in  confusion.  Fonrtitnes  subsequently  during 
the  day  did  they  attempt  to  retake  the  position,  but  were  each 
time  repelled  in  disorder. 

Meantime  the  sixth  and  twenty-fourth  corps,  having  broken 
through  the  rebel  lines  in  their  front,  were  coming  down  upon 
their  rear  and  flank  in  rapid  march.  The  fall  of  Petersburg  was 
now  a certainty.  The  enemy,  however,  had  lost  far  less  in  killed 
and  wounded  than  their  antagonists;  since  the  latter,  facing  a 
galling  fire,  had  charged  elaborate  breast-works — breast-works  so 
strong  that,  had  not  their  garrisons  been  fatally  weakened  by 
sending  troops  against  Sheridan,  they  might  never  have  been  car- 
ried by  storm.  But  the  enemy  had  lost  fearfully  in  prisoners, 
probably  from  7,000  to  10,000. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  Lee,  finding  his  army,  after  a gallant  and 
thorough  battle,  no  longer  able  to  maintain  its  positions,  gavo 
orders  for  the  evacuation  of  both  Kiciiniond  and  Petersburg, 
'fliis  was  accomplished  the  same  night;  and  early  the  following 
morning  the  Federal  forces  pushed  into  the  doomed  cities.  At 
four  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  Colonel  Ely,  of  Wilcox’s 
division,  reported  his  brigade  in  Petersburg.  The  First  Michi- 
gan Sharpshooters,  leading  the  skirmishers,  and  pressing  hard 
upon  the  rear  of  the  rebel  forces,  were  the  first  to  enter  the  long- 
fought-for  city.  Several  thousand  prisoners,  one  hundred  pieces 
of  artillery,  including  siege-guns  of  all  calibers,  immense  ware- 
houses filled  with  army  supplies,  battle-flags,  army  wagons,  camp 
and  garrison  e(|uipage,  horses,  mules,  etc.,  beyond  estimate,  were 
the  fruits  of  the  gloriously  achieved  victory. 

The  Confederate  capital  surrendered  to  General  Weitzel  at 
seven  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d.  The  captures  there 
were  even  more  important.  Six  thousand  prisoners,  5,000  stands 
of  arms,  and  500  cannon  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists.  The 
rebels  fired  the  city  in  their  precipitate  flight,  and  nearly  one 
third  of  it  was  destroyed  before  the  flames  were  arrested. 

Thus  ended  the  terrible  series  of  struggles  for  the  possession  of 
the  chief  fortress  of  tlie  Confederacy.  'With  its  capture  fell  the 
last  of  the  enemy’s  strongholds  in  the  Atlantic  States.  The  hy- 
dra-headed monster  of  the  rebellion  lay  writhing  in  the  dust:  tlie 
fatal  blow  had  been  dealt ; and  it  was  plain  that,  after  a few  more 
desperate  throes,  the  hideous  offspring  of  treason  must  expire. 
The  glorious  event  was  heralded  throughout  the  Korth  as  the 


635 


Salisbury  [HT.  (7.),  etc. 

triumpliant  signal  of  an  early  peace;  and  the  rejoicings  which  fol- 
lowed were  unequaled  by  any  that  had  occurred  before  for  nearly 
half  a century. 


SALISBURY  (U.  C.),  ETC. 

(Stoneman’a  Raid.) 

March  14  to  April  14,  18C5. 

VnionUU^  under  General  Stonemnn.,  nhoui  4,000  Loftfiee  not  reported. 
DieunioniRt!^.,  under  General  TF.  M.  Gardine!\  et  id.  Largest force  engaged^  about 
3,000  ; killed  and  icoundedy  not  reported  ; pr'-isont-rs.,  about  1,800. 

The  great  cavalry  column  which  left  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  on  the 
10th  of  March,  struck  the  East  Tennessee  Road  on  the  14th  at 
"Wytheville,  Christianhurg,  and  Salem,  Va.  Between  these  places 
thirty-three  bridges  were  burned  and  twenty-five  miles  of  railroad 
track  destroyed.  Many  prisoners  were  taken  and  large  quantities 
of  corn  and  other  stores  burned. 

April  Gth,  Stoncman  moved  ria  Jacksonville,  Danbury,  and 
ifacksville;  arriving  at  six  o’clock  a m.  on  the  12tli  at  Grant’s 
Creek,  the  rebel  line  of  defense  three  miles  in  front  of  Salisbury, 
K.  C.  At  this  point  he  found  3,000  rebel  troops,  under  General 
Gardiner,  and  fourteen  jiieces  of  artillery  commanded  by  Colonel 
Pemberton.  As  soon  as  proper  dispositions  could  bo  made,  a gen- 
eral charge  was  ordered  along  tlie  lino.  The  enemy  resisted  feebly, 
and  soon  falling  back,  the  Federal  troops  entered  Salisbury.  Hero 
they  captured  1,3G4  prisoners,  14  pieces  of  artillery,  1,000  stands 
of  small-arms  and  accoutrements,  1,000,000  rounds  of  small  ammu- 
nition, 1,000  rounds  fixed  ammunition  (shells),  GO, 000  pounds  of 
powder,  75,000  complete  suits  of  clothing,  350,000  army  blankets, 
70,000  pounds  of  bacon,  100,000  pounds  of  salt,  20,000  pounds 
of  sugar,  27,000  pounds  of  rice,  10,000  pounds  of  saltpeter,  60,000 
bushels  wheat,  $100,000  worth  of  medical  stores,  and  7,000  bales 
of  cotton.  Thirteen  pieces  of  artillery  were  brought  away,  and  all 
other  stores  not  immediately  needed  by  the  command  were  de- 
stroyed. 

The  Federal  force  tarried  at  Salisbury  two  days,  burning  bridges 
and  tearing  up  railroad  tracks  in  the  vicinity,  and  then  moved 
into  camp  at  Slatersville.  The  dep6ts  along  the  route  traversed 
by  the  heroic  column  furnished  an  abundance  of  food,  and  the 
captures  of  horses  and  mules  were  very  large.  The  rapidity  of 
their  movements  in  almost  every  instance  caused  their  advance 
guard  to  herald  their  approach  and  make  the  surprise  complete. 

32 


636 


Jiurkesville,  Deatonsville^  etc.^  Va. 


BURKESVILLE,  DEATONSVILLE,  ETC.,  VA. 

Ai'rii.  3 TO  9,  1865. 

Unionists,  under  General  Grant,  nearly  100,000  ; losses  not  stated. 

Disunionists,  under  General  Lee,  from  40,000  to  50,000.  Losses  in  hattle  and  hy 
desertion,  not  authentically  reported  ; prisoners  hy  surrender,  about  26,000. 

On  tlie  morning  of  the  Sd,  while  the  riglit  of  the  Union  line  was 
pressing  across  the  works  at  Petersburg  to  find  the  city  evacuated, 
the  fifth  corps  and  the  cavalry  on  tlio  left  started  out  to  intercept 
the  retreat  of  T.ce.  Custer’s  third  division  was  in  the  caviijry  ad- 
vance, with  Wells’  second  brigade  leading.  Camp  was  broken 
about  three  miles  east  of  Narnozine  Creek,  and  the  route  lay  toward 
tlie  stream  along  the  Nainozine  road.  On  arriving  at  the  creek, 
the  enemy’s  rear-gnard  was  discovered  strongly  intrenched  beliind 
earth-works  covering  the  crossing,  the  bridge  being  destroyed  and 
trees  felled  across  the  road  leading  down  to  it.  Four  guns,  two  am- 
munition wagons,  and  two  ambulances,  hidden  in  the  woods,  were 
found  abandoned  on  the  north  side  of  the  creek.  A section  of  ar- 
tillery was  instantly  opened  against  the  works,  while  the  cavalry 
easily  forded  the  stream  above  and  flanked  the  enemy’s  position. 
A short  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the  foe  was  driven  ofif  and  the 
obstructions  removed.  The  road  beyond  was  filled  with  felled 
trees  and  piled-up  rails,  and  with  emptied  caissons  surrounded  by 
fire — the  latter  designed  to  explode  and  thus  delay  the  pursuit. 
The  enemy  were  evidently  routed,  for  the  path  over  which  they 
fled  was  strewn  with  wagons,  dead  and  wounded  horses,  caissons, 
boxes  of  ammunition  thrown  out  to  lighten  the  load,  arms,  accou- 
trements, blankets,  clothing,  loose  cartridges,  and  similar  wrecks. 
Several  miles  of  rapid  riding  brought  the  column  to  FTamozino 
church,  at  the  intersection  of  the  two  roads 

AVells  passed  the  church  to  the  left,  and  soon  encountered  a part 
of  Parringer’s  cavalry  brigade.  The  latter  were  pretty  well  ex- 
hausted with  their  hopeless  task,  but  turned  and  fired  on  the  Fed- 
eral advance,  the  Eighth  New  York.  The  latter,  however,  charged 
without  hesitancy,  and  dispersed  the  rear-guard  and  other  troops 
coming  up;  prisoners,  horses,  and  arms  were  captured  in  abun- 
dance, and  the  enemy  scattered  through  the  woods.  Wells  pressed 
upon  the  fugitive  enemy  along  the  same  road  for  some  distance, 
and  then  rejoined  the  column  on  the  other  road.  Caphart’s  third 
brigade,  meanwhile,  took  the  road  to  the  right  of  Natnozine 
church,  pushed  on  rapidly  toward  Donnisville,  crossing  Deep 


JhirJcesville^  Dcatonsville^  etc.,  Va. 


G37 


Creek  at  tlie  lower  ford,  tlie  bridge  having  been  destroyed.  The 
brigade  chargc'd  the  enemy,  and  a running  fight  was  kept  up  for 
miles,  tlie  foe  now  halting,  now  flying,  and  delivering  many  a fatal 
rarthian  shot  in  his  flight.  Pennington’s  first  brigade  was  hurried 
up,  as  the  enemy,  driven  into  more  compact  form  by  the  pressure 
of  Capbart’s  troops,  began  to  resist  with  determination.  The 
skirmishing  and  pursuit  now  continued  with  great  zeal,  the  Union 
troops  being  in  high  spirits  and  driving  the  enemy  with  all  ease, 
killing  and  wounding  many,  and  capturing  small  squads  hero  and 
there  continually. 

On  reaching  Devil’s  Ford,  the  bridge  being  destroyed,  the  enemy 
struck  off  to  the  left,  on  a road  leading  to  a cro.ssing,  seven  miles 
farther  up  the  river.  Pennington  halted  hero  while  Caphart  pur- 
sued the  enemy.  "Wells  now  came  across  from  the  left,  and  was 
prompt  in  support  of  Caphart's  pursuit. 

The  enemy  at  length  turned  once  more  to  the  right,  to  cross  the 
Appomattox  and  rejoin  Lee’s  main  army  on  the  other  bank.  At 
this  turning  the  Confederate  cavalry  rallied,  and  a body  of  infantry 
appeared  to  their  support.  Caphart’s  brigade  charged  as  before, 
but  received  a volley  w'hich  imposed  a sudden  check,  and  imme- 
diately after  the  rebel  infantry,  with  great  spirit,  deployed  into  an 
open  field  on  the  left  of  his  line,  crossed  the  Federal  right  flank, 
and  turned  and  enfiladed  it.  The  men  retreated  before  the  fire,  for 
half  a mile,  to  where  McKenzie’s  division  was  drawn  up  in  line.  A 
heavy  battery  then  opened  upon  the  advancing  foe  with  terrible 
destruction.  Their  progress  was  soon  checked,  and  the  Union 
troops  eagerly  resumed  the  pursuit.  But  darkness  was  falling,  and 
the  entire  column  encamped  for  the  night.  The  rebels  had  been 
followed  fully  twenty  miles,  and  had  sustained  a loss  of  350  prison- 
ers, two  flags,  four  cannon,  and  several  ammunition  wagons.  The 
loss  of  the  pursuing  i)arty  did  not  exceed  eighty. 

Early  on  Tuesday,  the  4th,  the  march  was  resumed,  McKenzie’s 
division  in  advance,  the  first  division  next,  and  Custer’s  in  the 
rear.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  McKenzie  encountered  the  enemy 
near  Bethany,  where  he  appeared  to  be  posted  wnth  both  infantry 
and  artillery.  Heavy  skirmishing  began  at  once  and  continued  till 
dark,  when  the  Federal  troops  went  into  camp  and  awaited  the 
rest  of  the  column.  Soon  after  eleven  the  same  night  the  cavalry 
were  again  aroused,  and  started  off  with  Custer  in  advance,  march- 
ing all  night.  The  latter  reached  Jettersville  at  six  o’clock  the 
next  morning,  and  there  found  the  entire  fifth  corps  well  in- 


638  UurTcesville,  Deatonsville,  etc.,  Va. 

trenclied  across  tlio  Panvillo  Railroad.  It  was  here  ascertained 
tliat  Lee,  in  liis  lliglit  from  the  fallen  capital,  had  advanced  as  far 
as  Amelia  Court  House,  while  the  Union  force  had  seized  Uurkes- 
ville,  and  was  gathering  at  Jettersville.  The  latter  place  is  about 
half  way  between  Burkesville  and  Amelia  Court  House,  and  fifty- 
four  miles  southwest  of  Richmond.  In  the  attempt  to  seize 
Burkesville,  Davis’  brigade  came  upon  the  enemy’s  cavalry  at 
Fane’s  Cross  Roads,  and  attacking  him,  captured  from  200  to  300 
prisoners,  200  wagons,  and  a number  of  guns  and  battle-flags.  The 
rebel  infantry  then  advanced  in  support,  and,  rapidly  forming, 
drove  off  Davis’  gallant  brigade. 

The  fifth  corps,  which  marched  in  the  rear  of  the  cavalry,  ar- 
rived at  Jettersville  a few  hours  later,  where  it  was  massed  in  an 
open  field,  and  lay  across  the  railroad.  Strong  earth-works  were 
at  once  thrown  up,  and,  as  the  rebels  were  only  from  five  to  ten 
miles  distant,  great  caution  was  observed.  No  fires  were  lighted, 
and  the  corps  lay  ready  for  battle. 

In  the  rear  of  the  fifth  corps  marched  the  second,  whose  progress, 
however,  was  less  hurried.  The  sixth  followed  next.  The  two 
latter  were  directed  by  General  Meade,  and  pursued  the  same  route 
as  the  fifth  corps,  but  did  not  start  till  a day  later.  The  first  day 
of  the  march  the  second  corps  advanced  only  about  six  miles,  the 
protection  of  the  slow-moving  trains  requiring  tardy  progress  ; and 
the  troops  were  kept  hard  at  work  repairing  the  roads  for  their 
passage.  Many  prisoners  were  captured  or  surrendered  along  the 
route.  A continuous,  toilsome  march  until  two  o’clock  of  the 
6th  brought  the  corps  to  Jettersville.  Sheridan  immediately  had 
the  second  and  third  divisions  posted  on  the  left  of  the  fifth  corps, 
from  which  he  bad  withdrawn  the  first  and  third  divisions  of 
cavalry. 

Ord’s  column  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  comprising  two  divi- 
sions of  the  twenty-fourth  corps  and  one  of  tlio  twenty-fifth, 
marched  down  the  Cox  road — the  direct  road  to  Burkesville— -on 
the  4th,  from  Sutherland’s  Station,  where  it  separated  from  the 
main  column.  Generals  Grant  and  Ord  were  botli  with  this  col- 
umn of  the  Army  of  the  James.  It  encamped  at  night  at  AVilson’s 
Station,  having  advanced  fifteen  miles.  The  following  day  it 
pressed  on  to  Nottoway  Court  House,  about  eleven  miles  distant 
from  Jettersville.  Here  it  was  proposed  to  halt,  the  column  hav- 
ing marched  twenty  miles;  but  a dispatch  being  received  from 
Sheridan,  stating  that  he  saw  no  escape  for  the  rebel  general. 


EDWARD  OTIIO  CRESAP  ORD, 

A'ols.,  born  in  ^rarylaud  in  1818;  appoiiiLod  to  A Vest  Point  from  ( 

■ lb  0. ; graduated  in  1839  ; 2d-Lieut.  3d  Artillery,  July  39  ; served  in  I'dori-  j 

: da,  1839— l(i;  California,  1810-91 ; Capt.  3d  Art.,  1691 , stationed  on  Allan-  I 

i tic  coast;  returned  to  the  Pacific  coast  in  1859,  and  served  in  California,  Or-  ; 

egon  and  Washington  Territories  till  1801.  Major  1th  ..Vrt.,  Nov.  21,  1801  ; 

} Hrig.-Ccn.  Vols.,  Sept.  11,  1801  ; commanded  Brigade  of  Peima.  Ileservcs  at  I 

, I)rane.sville,  Va.,  Dec.  2d,  1801;  Major-Gen.  Vols.,  May  2,  1802;  ordered 

IVest,  May  2,  1802,  in  command  of  Corinth,  and  participated  in  battle  of 
(torinth,  Oct.  3 and  1,  1802,  and  snbse<|iumt  ])ursiiit  of  enemy  ; remained  in 
I Gen.  Grant's  Army,  in  command  of  a Division  of  17th  Cor[)s,  and,  dime  19, 

; 1803,  was  placed  in  command  of  the  cor[)s.  On  the  28lli  of  Oct.,  1803,  he, 

was  relieved  of  his  command  on  account  of  sicknc-ss,  but  returned  to  tlie  army,  J 

i before  the  first  of  Jan.,  1801,  and  was  put  in  command  of  the  13th  Corps,  ( 

which  was  stationed  in  Southern  Tennes.soc  and  Northern  Alabama.  From  j 

; this  ho  was  transferred  to  the  8th  Corps,  then  serving  in  jMaryland,  in  the  ; 

Spring,  and  in  July  put  in  command  of  the  18th  Corps,  Army  of  the  James; 
while  in  command  of  this  corps,  he  fought  the  battles  of  Charles  City  Road 
and  Challin’s  Farm,  and  assisted  in  other  movements.  The  lOlli  and  18th 
Aiiny  Corps  being  consolidated  into  the  211h,  ho  was  made  commander  of 
t the  new  corps.  On  the  8th  of  Jan.,  18G9,  he  succeeded  Gen.  Butler  as  com- 

• mander  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  and  took  ])art  in  storming  of  Petei’sburg, 

} Ajjril  2, 18G5.  Since  June  27,  18G9,  he  has  been  in  command  of  the  Depart- 

; ment  of  the  Ohio. 


641 


Jjurkesville,  Deatonsville,  etc.^  Vu. 


Grant  pushed  forward  the  two  divisions  of  the  twenty-fourth 
corps.  At  eleven  o’clock  they  reached  Burkesville  Junction  and 
encamped,  having  performed  this  supplementary  march  of  nine 
miles  with  great  enthusiasm  on  hearing  the  good,  tidings.  Grant 
himself  had  immediately  ridden  over  to  Jcttersvillc,  which  ho 
rc.achcd  about  cloven  o’clock. 

On  the  4th,  two  divisions  of  the  ninth  corps  marched  from  Pe- 
tersburg to  Ford’s  Station,  about  twenty  miles  distant.  On  the  5th 
it  resumed  its  march,  still  moving  on  tlie  Cox  road  toward  Burkes- 
ville, and  at  night  camped  at  "Wellsville,  twenty  miles  distant  from 
the  latter  point.  The,  following  day  it  advanced  to  within  ten 
miles  of  Burkesville,  with  one  brigade  thrown  forward  to  the 
junction. 

At  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  Gth,  the  second,  fifth,  and 
sixth  army  corps,  by  order  of  General  Meade,  moved  along  the 
railroad  in  the  direction  of  Amelia  Court  House.  Soon  after 
moving,  trustworthy  intelligence  was  received  that  the  enemy 
were  advancing  toward  Farmville.  The  direction  of  the  second 
and  fifth  army  corps  was  immediately  changed  from  a northerly  to 
a northwesterly  direction,  and  the  leading  corps,  the  second,  ad- 
vanced on  Deatonsvillc,  the  fifth  moving  on  its  right;  while  tbo 
si.xth  facing  about  and  moving  by  the  left  fiaidc,  took  [losition  on 
the  left.  The  changes  were  promptly  made,  the  leading  corps  soon 
becoming  engaged  with  the  enemy  near  Deatonsvillc,  and  drawing 
him  across  Sailor's  Creek  to  the  Appomattox.  The  fifth  corps 
made  a long  march,  but  its  position  prevented  its  striking  the  rebel 
column  before  it  passed.  The  sixth  army  corps  came  up  with  the 
enemy  about  four  p.m.,  and  in  conjunction  with  the  second  on  its 
right  and  the  cavalry  on  its  left,  made  a desperate  attack  upon  the 
foe.  The  result  was  a complete  success,  the  combined  forces  rout- 
ing the  enemy  and  capturing  five  general  officers,  among  theta 
Generals  Ewell  and  Custis  Lee — also  a large  number  of  prisoners. 

On  the  night  of  the  Cth,  General  Lee,  still  adhering  to  his  orig- 
inal plan  of  falling  back  to  Danville,  marched  as  rapidly  toward 
Farmville  as  the  jaded  condition  of  his  troops  would  allow.  But 
the  gallant  army  of  General  Grant  never  rested  until  it  reached 
the  vicinity  of  the  latter  place  also,  and  by  destroying  bridges  and 
confronting  the  rebel  general  with  a superior  force,  compelled  him 
to  adopt  a more  westward  course  by  way  of  Maysville  and  parallel 
roads  leading  to  Lynchburg.  The  head  of  the  column  under  Gen- 
eral Ord  had  severe  fighting  on  the  Tth,  at  one  or  two  places,  be- 


642  liurlccsville^  Deatoyisvilh,  etc.,  Ya. 

fore  tlie  enemy  conld  be  convinced  tliat  his' retreat  to  Danville  was 
cut  olF.  The  Second  corps  also  fell  uj)on  his  rear  several  times,  and 
engaged  in  an  obstinate  and  sanguinary  contest.  Tlie  Federal 
army  reached  Farrnville  on  the  7th,  and  passed  through  the  town 
during  the  night  with  banners  flying  and  bauds  playing  patriotic 
airs. 

Soon  after  daybreak,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  note  of  as- 
sembly sounded  throughout  the  army,  and  the  troops  falling  into 
line  rcsjimed  the  pursuit  of  the  demoralized  remnant  of  the  rebel 
army  still  clinging  to  the  fortunes  of  their  lender.  A division  of 
the  twenty-fifth  corps  led  the  advance,  followed  by  another  divi- 
sion of  the  same  corps.  The  fifth  corps  moved  in  the  rear  of  this 
command.  The  cavalry  were  some  distance  in  advance,  and  mo- 
mentarily expecting  to  encounter  the  foe.  The  object  was  now  to 
cut  off  Lee  from  the  Lynchburg  Road,  while  Grant  with  the  sixth 
and  second  corps  fell  upon  his  rear. 

At  Prospect  Station,  about  thirteen  miles  from  Farrnville,  the 
column  was  halted  to  allow  the  cavalry  to  take  the  road,  as  nearly 
all  of  them  were  found  encamped  at  this  point.  In  about  an  hour 
the  fields  that  had  been  covered  with  their  horses  were  vacated, 
and  the  way  left  open  to  the  infantry.  After  a march  of  about 
fifteen  miles,  the  troops  heard  heavy  firing  in  the  direction  taken 
by  the  cavalry.  Sheridan  had  met  the  enemy,  and  the  hope  of  a 
speedy  halt,  and  a chance,  perhaps,  to  inflict  a final  blow  upon  the 
rebellion,  lent  new  strength  to  the  toil-worn  soldiers,  and  they 
pressed  on  with  as  light  a tread  as  at  the  start.  After  a short 
time  the  firing  was  discontinued,  but  still  no  tidings  came  from 
Sheridan,  and  General  Ord  directed  the  different  division  com- 
manders to  encamp  for  the  night.  The  order  was  hailed  with 
delight ; for  after  a continuous  march  of  thirty  miles  the.men  were  ♦ 
completely  exhausted,  and  demanded  rest. 

The  chosen  camping- grounds  had  not  been  reached  when  a 
second  order  came  from  General  Ord  directing  the  march  to  bo 
continued.  Sheridan  had  captured  four  locomotives,  fifty  cars 
loaded  with  supplies,  and  forty-five  pieces  of  artillery,  and  had 
sent  back  an  earnest  request  for  support.  The  news  rapidly  spread 
through  the  column,  and  the  troops  pushed  on  five  miles  farther. 
The  rebels  had  by  this  time  ceased  making  any  demonstrations  on 
the  cavalry,  and  immediate  support  being  no  longer  required,  the 
men  gladly  bivouacked  in  the  heavy  brush  that  lined  both  sides  of 
the  road. 


64a 


Surkesvillc,  Deatonsville,  etc.,  Va. 


On  tlie  niglit  of  tho  8th,  Lee’s  army  was  'concenr.rated  about 
Appomattox  Court  House,  with  a strong  lino  thrown  out  to  face 
the  cavalry.  Grant,  with  the  sixth  and  second  coi-ps,  was  pressing 
him  on  one  side,  wliile  Sheridan,  by  his  masterly  movement,  had 
succeeded  in  entirely  cutting  otr  the  retreat  by  occu[)ying  tho 
Lynchburg  road,  and  in  order  to  assist  him  in  retaining  this  ad- 
vantage, Ord’s  command  was  compelled  to  make  th*  forced  march 
in  the  evening. 

After  two  and  a half  hours’  sleep,  the  Army  of  tho  James  was 
again  called  to  arms.  They  immediately  moved  on  up  the  Lynchburg 
road,  and  an  hour  afterward  closed  in  mass  in  a largo  open  field, 
where  they  stacked  their  arms  and  remained  for  two  hours  await- 
ing orders.  During  all  this  time  a constant  fire  was  kept  up  in 
front  by  ISheridan’s  and  the  enemy’s  jiickets,  but  at  length  this 
exchange  of  shots  was  suddenly  broken  by  a wild  yell,  a continu- 
ous rattle  of  carbines  and  musketry,  and  unusually  .rapid  artillery 
firing.  The  foe  were  charging  with  mad  desperation.  The  twenty- 
fourth  corps  and  the  colored  troops  were  quickly  ordered  to  ad- 
vance. They  moved  down  the  Lynchburg  road  for  a considerable 
distance,*the  firing  constantly  increasing  in  intensity,  and  it  was 
evident  that  the  cavalry  were  struggling  de.sperately  to  keep  the 
enemy  from  breaking  through.  Their  success  was  becoming  doubt- 
ful, compelled  to  fight  on  foot,  in  a dense  woods,  against  a greatly 
superior  force  of  infantry,  and  they  were  being  slowly  but  surely 
driven  back.  At  this  juncture  General  Foster,  who  led  the  in- 
fantry column,  receiving  information  from  Sheridan  that  the  cavalry 
could  no  longer  maintain  their  ground  without  support,  hurried 
forward  with  increased  energy  his  tried  and  trusty  troops.  At  a 
road  leading  to  tho  right,  about  three  or  four  miles  from  Appo- 
mattox Court  House,  tlie  column  was  met  by  General  Gibbon,  who 
ordered  Foster  to  move  to  the  right  and  take  up  his  position  in  an 
open  field  of  a few  acres,  surrounded  by  woods  on  every  side.  Im- 
mediately in  front  of  this  position  tho  cavalry  were  hotly  engaged 
with  the  enemy,  and  before  the  first  brigade  of  infantry  in  line 
could  bo  deployed,  they  were  swept  back  by  tho  rebels.  The  men 
holding  the  led  horses  became  demoralized,  and  rode  in  many  in- 
stances through  tho  infantry  line.  For  a moment,  affairs  wore  a 
disastrous  aspect.  General  Foster  was  ubiquitous,  calling,  urging, 
impelling  the  men  to  re-form.  Less  valiant  troops  wmild  have 
been  irretrievably  broken;  but  the  heroes  of  many  a fierce  con- 
flict, rallying  around  their  standard,  instantly  presented  a bristling 


644  Burlcesville^  Beatonsville,  etc.,  Va. 

wall  of  bayonets  that  any  foe  might  liavo  hesitated  before  as- 
sailing. 

Tlieir  arrival  was  most  opportime.  A cloud  of  shouting  rebels 
poured  out  of  the  woods  after  the  fleeing  cavalry,  only  to  receive 
a volley  so  deadly  and  so  rapidly  followed  up,  that  they  staggered 
back  appalled  and  fled  precipitately.  Foster  pushing  forward  and 
driving  the  enemy  before  him,  soon  discovered  that  he  was  out- 
flanked on  both  right  and  left.  A galling  musketry  fire  swept  his 
flanks  and  his  front,  and  lastly  a rebel  battery  obtaining  the 
range,  enfiladed  his  line  with  a succession  of  shells.  The  Federal 
line  was  temporarily  driven  in,  but  being  almost  immediately 
reinforced  by  fresh  troops,  a charge  was  made  and  the  lost  ground 
repossessed. 

A brigade  of  colored  troops,  under  command  of  Colonel  Wood- 
ward, was  ordered  to  take  the  ground  on  Foster’s  left,  and  protect 
him  on  that  flank.  They  advanced  gallantly,  deployed  into  lino 
under  fire,  and  took  their  position  with  the  coolness  of  veterans. 
The  division  marching  immediately  in  Foster’s  rear  was  about 
following  that  general  when  he  formed  in  line.  Before,  however, 
he  conld  turn  from  the  road,  the  woods  on  his  right  were  plive  with 
whistling  bullets,  and  the  cavalry  came  in  with  the  rebels  in  close 
pursuit.  General  Gibbon  instantly  ordered  this  division  into  the 
woods;  and,  facing  by  tho  rear  rank,  they  advanced,  driving  the 
foe  before  them,  until  a junction  was  effected  with  i’ester. 

Everything  now  betokened  prosperity  to  the  Federal  cause. 
Foster,  by  his  cool  generalship  and  the  splendid  fighting  qualities 
of  his  command,  had  regained  his  first  position,  and  moved  still 
farther  forward.  Tho  supporting  division  had  charged  triumph- 
antly through  the  woods  and  made  a connection  with  the  attack- 
ing column,  while  the  fifth  corps  advanced  and  swung  around  so  as 
make  an  angle  with  the  main  line.  The  rebels,  surprised  and  dis- 
comfited at  finding  a strong  infantry  force  where  they  had  only  ex- 
pected to  meet  and  repel  dismounted  cavalry,  were  completely  at  a 
lo.ss.  They  began  to  feel  that  the  days  of  tho  Confederacy  wore 
numbered,  and  that  tho  fatal  coil  was  tightening  rapidly  around 
their  doomed  army.  Still  the  hostile  battery  continued  its  fire 
along  tho  Union  line;  but  Captain  Elder,  chief  of  artillery,  opening 
with  three-inch  guns  upon  the  foe,  soon  silenced  him. 

Everything  being  in  readiness,  and  the  rebels  wavering,  the 
final  charge  was  ordered.  The  troops  advanced  splendidly,  and 
bringing  tho  artillery  into  position,  a storm  of  deadly  missiles  was 


C45 


HurJcesville,  Deatonsville,  ctc.^  Va. 

hurled  upon  the  retreating  enemy.  Gibbs  and  Reynolds,  with  two 
sections  of  a batterj-,  followed  up  the  flying  mass.  Fast  on  their 
rear  the  skirmish  line  pushed  forward,  sliouting  clamorously,  and 
dealing  death  to  the  fugitives.  The  Union  troops  forgot  their  long 
and  weary  marches,  forgot  tlieir  almost  total  loss  of  sleep.  They 
only  remembered  that  the  boastful  foe  was  before  them,  and  the  day 
of  reckoning  at  hand.  Now  was  the  time  to  obliterate  the  stain  left 
on  the  Union  arms  by  the  twice  repeated  disaster  at  Bull  Run ; 
now  the  time  to  crush  the  rebels  once  and  forever.  "Without 
giving  the  flying  enemy  a chance  to  halt  for  breath,  the  skirmish- 
ers pressed  onward,  reached  the  Court  House,  and  were  in  the 
midst  of  the  rebels.  Numbers  of  prisoners  were  taken,  and  the 
place  actually  captured,  when  a white  flag  was  observed  flying  in 
front  of  one  of  the  houses.  Firing  instantly  ccasc<l,  and  the  rebel 
General  Gordon  informed  the  Federal  skirmishers  that  hostilities 
were  suspended  till  General  Lee  could  be  communicated  with. 

At  this  period.  Turner  had  swung  around  his  entire  division  so 
as  to  occupy  the  crest  of  the  hills  commanding  the  Appomattox; 
while  Foster,  having  worse  ground  to  travel,  did  not  reach  this  lino 
by  sotne  hundred  yards.  The  fifth  corps  were  massed  behind  the 
latter,  and  innumerable  bands,  throughout  the  entire  force,  were 
playing  national  airs  with  a resolute  cotnposure  truly  astonishing. 

The  moment  the  white  flag  was  dis[>layed,  an  agreement  was 
made  that  no  troops  should  be  moved  on  either  side  until  Ord  and 
Longstrect  could  meet.  The  latter  had  command  of  the  opposing 
troops  in  front,  while  Lee  jtersonally  commanded  the  force  in  op- 
position to  Grant.  Turner’s  division  lined  the  top  of  a range  of 
high  ground  that  overlooked  Appomattox  Court  House  and  the 
temporary  bivouac  of  the  foe.  The  latter  were  in  plain  view,  and 
within  easy  musket  range.  They  were  drawn  up  in  several  lines, 
with  their  guns  stacked;  artillery  and  numerous  wagons  were 
either  jiarked  in  their  center,  or  had  halted  in  various  positions 
on  the  roads  where  they  were  moving  at  the  time  of  the  temporary 
suspension  of  hostilities. 

The  Union  troops  were  eagerly  cheering  and  making  every 
possible  demonstration  of  their  most  enthusiastic  satisfaction. 
Meantime  General  Ord,  accompanied  by  his  staff  and  body-guard, 
advanced  toward  the  Court  House,  and  held  an  interview  with 
General  Longstreet.  These  officers,  however,  were  unable  to 
make  any  terms,  as  the  whole  power  of  adjusting  matters  rested 
with  the  respective  commanders-iu-chief. 


C46  Hurlcesville,  Deatonsvillc^  etc.,  Vh. 

At  nine  o’clock  o dispatch  was  forwarded  from  General  Grant  to 
General  Lee,  and  soon  alter  a coniinunication  was  returned.  Leo 
was  then  informed  that  Grant  was  in  his  front,  and  would  connnu- 
nicate  with  him  tliere.  At  this  juncture  General  Meade  received 
orders  for  a cessation  of  hostilities  till  two  o’clock.  Prior  to  tho 
reception  of  this  order  the  divisions  had  been  massed,  the  artillery 
moved  to  tho  front,  and  every  preparation  made  for  an  attack. 
The  armistice  created  the  profoundest  sensation  among  the  war- 
worn veterans  of  a hundred  campaigns.  Officers  who  knew  and 
respected  tho  prowess  of  tho  army  now  conversed  in  low  tones, 
with  no  manifestation  of  exhilaration.  The  emotion  of  every  one 
seemed  too  deej)  and  heartfelt  for  outward  expression.  MTiile  con- 
fident that  but  one  result  could  follow  tho  negotiations  pending, 
anxious  expectation  thrilled  every  breast.  The  unholy  altar  upon 
which  had  been  sacrificed  tho  best  blood  of  tho  contending  sec- 
tions was  now  to  be  thrown  down  and  forever  numbered  among 
the  things  of  the  past.  Tho  minutes  passed  slowly.  Eager  eyes 
watched  the  approach  of  every  horseman.  Peace,  long-coveted 
peace,  might  follow  this  interview. 

The  hour  for  tho  i-esumption  of  hostilities  finally  arrived.  Tho 
order  was  given  for  the  skirmish  line  to  advance.  Wei’e  negotia- 
tions a failure?  The  Federal  ti'oops  moved  slowly  down  a little 
slope.  Tho  rebel  pickets  were  in  plain  sight,  and  stationary.  A 
moment  more,  and  the  sharp  click  of  musketry  would  indicate  that 
tho  deadly  carnage  was  again  resumed.  Hark  1 tho  clatter  of  hoofs 
echoes  along  the  front.  The  flag  of  truce  again  appears,  and  Gen- 
eral Grant  directs  that  hostilities  shall  cease  till  further  orders. 
The  question  was  now  regarded  as  settled,  and  tho  army  began  to 
make  demonstrations  of  joy. 

At  four  o’clock  it  was  announced  that  the  surrender  had  been 
consummated  and  the  articles  signed.  And  now  the  wild,  ex- 
ultant enthusiasm  which  uncertainty  had  restrained  burst  forth 
like  a torrent.  Officers  and  men  indulged  in  the  wildest  antics. 
Tho  various  brigade  commanders  announced  the  joyful  nows  to 
their  commands,  and  cheer  followed  cheer  along  the  lino,  swelling 
into  a shout  of  triumph.  A hundred  bands  caught  up  tho  wild 
refrain,  and  the  heavy  cannons’  roar  mingled  in  the  general  re- 
joicing. 

The  terms  of  surrender  stipulated  that  both  officers  and  men 
should  be  parolled,  and  that  all  public  property,  artillery,  and  arms 
belonging  to  the  vanquished  should  be  given  up,  save  only  tho  side- 


) 


j EDWARD  RICH  SPRIGC  CANDY, 

Vols.,  1)1)111  ill  Ivy.,  about  1817  ; giailiialeil  at  W^est  Point,  1839. 
) 2(1-1  Iciit.  2(1  Inf., 1839;  Aas’t  Com.  Kiib.,  Oct.,  1839  ; Ist-l/iciil.,  .fiiiio,  1830  ; 

) Ass’t  A(lj.-(  U‘ii.,  Marcli,  1817  ; distiiiniiislicd  liiiiiHcir  at  ( Jorro  ( lordo  ; llrovid, 

Maj.  and  Lt.-Col.  for  Contrcraa,  Ciiiiriil^nsco  and  Helen  Cate,  Aii;^.  and  S^ejit., 
1847  ; Capt.,  2(1  Ini’.,  Juno,  1831  ; Maj.  lOtli  Inl'.,  March,  183.3;  in  Utah  M.v- 
) poditioii,  under  A.  S.  Johnston  ; couiinanded  Pt.  Hridger,  1839-GO  ; Col.  1 9th 

i Inf.,  May  14, 18G1 ; fought  battle  Malverde,  Feb.  21,  18G2  ; I’rig.-Cen.  A'ols., 

) March  21 , 18G2  ; ordered  East  in  Nov.,  1 8G2  ; took  charge  of  camp  of  drafted 

men  at  Pittsburg'  in  Doc.,  18G2  ; in  July,  18G3,  ordered  to  coniinand  of  forts 
in  N.  A^.  Harbor ; in  July,  18G4,  made  Major-Gen.  Vols.,  and  ordered  to 
) command  of  J'rans-Mississippi  l)e])artnient ; took  part  in  reduction  of  forts  in 
/ Mobile  Harbor,  Aug.,  18G4,  and  in  siege  of  IMoliile,  April,  18G5  ; Juno  27, 
1865,  appointed  to  command  Uepartnieiit  of  Louisiana  and  Te.xas. 


i 


Mobile^  Ala, 


G4f 


arms  of  the  officers  with  their  private  liorses  and  baggage.  So  re- 
duced, iiowever,  was  the  onee  powerful  army  under  General  Leo 
by  losses  in  repeated  battles,  and  of  late  by  constant  de.sertions,  that 
the  number  of  prisoners  subject  to  the  above  arrangement  was  re- 
ported at  from  oidy  about  2G,000  men,  including  all  arms  of  the 
service.  The  total  lighting  force  com[)rised  in  the  .above  could 
hardly  have  exceeded  18,000  or  20,000,  since  only  10,000  muskets 
and  30  pieces  of  artillery  were  transferred  to  the  victors.. 

The  glad  tidings  of  this  memorable  success  flew  on  swift  wings, 
and  were  everywhere  hailed  with  tumultuous  demonstrations  of 
joy.  The  most  jubilant  patriotism  prevailed.  In  every  city,  town, 
and  village  the  streets  were  hung  with  flags,  salvos  of  artillery  re- 
sounded, merry  bells  chimed  forth  their  liveliest  peals,  people  with 
smiling  faces  and  joyous  greetings  thronged  the  streets,  im|)rornptu 
meetings  of  exultation  were  held,  and  overflowing  thanks  were  re- 
turned to  the  Supreme  Euler  for  his  great  blessing  upon  the  na- 
tional cause. 


MOBILE,  ALA. 

March  IS  to  Apkii,  12,  1865. 

Union  land  force,  under  General  Cmil/y,  about  .85,000  ; naval  force,  under  Hear- 
Admiral  Thatcher,  compriHinjj  14  war  ve-ieeh  heeidee  tuge,  traneporte,  etc. 
Lassen  in  the  army,  about  2,.')00  ; in,  the  navy,  less  than  50. 

Visunionists,  under  General  Taytor,fronuVo,WL)  to  16,000.  with  five  war  vessels. 
Killed  and  wounded,  nearly  2,000;  jyrUoners,  about  4,000. 

loNoitANT  of  the  momentous  events  on  the  Atlantic  coast  that 
had  struck  the  rebellion  a decisive  blow,  the  contending  forces  still 
waged  a brisk  warfare  in  Alabama,  involving  a large  portion  of  the 
State  in  the  contest.  The  main  points  of  attack  were  Mobile  and 
Selma — the  former  the  second  commercial  city  in  the  Confederacy, 
possessing  a line  of  elaborate  defenses  worthy  of  mention  with  those 
of  Vicksburg,  Savannah,  or  Charleston. 

For  months  the  rebel  Generals  Beauregard  and  Taylor  w'cro 
actively  employed  upon  the  works,  while  thousands  of  negroes 
were  engaged  in  intrenching.  The  main  defense  of  Mobile  was 
‘Spanish  Fort,  an  irregular  bastioned  work,  with  fortifications  five 
miles  in  length,  commencing  at  D'Olive’s  Greek  and  running  to 
Minetta  Bay.  From  the  land  side,  on  the  right  of  the  fort,  were 
two  bastions,  encircled  with  riflo-i)its,  chevaux  do  f rue,  trenches, 
and  torpedoes.  Beyond  Spanish  Fort,  to  the  left,  was  a smaller 
fort,  mounting  heavy  guns.  There  were  also  water  batteries  on 


G50 


Mobile,  Ala. 


each  side  of  Minetta  Bay.  Forts  Huger,  Bradley,  Tracy,  Battery 
(iladden,  Spanisli  River  Battery,  Blakely,  and  other  rebel  strong- 
holds, likewise  protected  the  city. 

Feb.  16th,  General  Maury,  in  anticipation  of  the  impending  at- 
tack, summoned  all  the  able-bodied  male  citizens  to  arms,  and 
ordered  the  removal  of  non-conjbatants.  Somewhat  later  the  gar- 
risons of  the  harbor  forts  were  increased.  Other  preparations 
were  also  made  which  indicated  an  obstinate  defense.  Taylor 
commanded  the  enemy’s  troops,  with  Mauj-y  superintending  the 
defenses,  and  General  T.  II.  Gardiner  directing  in  the  field. 

Federal  preparations  for  the  movement,  meantime,  were  in 
progress.  Granger’s  thirteenth  corps  had  long  been  concentrated 
on  Mobile  Point.  A.  J.  Smith’s  sixteenth  corps  was  sent  by 
transports  frtm  New  Orleans  to  Daupliin  Island,  opposite  Mo- 
bile Point,  the  greater  part  arriving  at  Fort  Gaines  on  the  12th. 
The  cavalry  under  Grierson,  recently  largely  reinforced  from  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  had  cro.ssed  Pontcliartrain,  directing  its 
march  to  ilobile  Point.  A negro  division  under  General  Steele 
was  near  Pensacola.  Everything  at  last  being  in  readiness,  after 
months  of  preparation  and  weeks  of  unlooked-for  delay,  the  move- 
ment on  Mobile  began. 

March  18th,  an  advance  brigade,  about  2,000  strong,  left  Dau- 
phin Island  in  three  transports,  protected  by  the  light  iron-clads 
Np.  44  and  No.  47,  to  effect  a landing  on  Cedar  Point,  above  Fort 
Powell,  and  to  clear  the  way  for  the  rest  of  the  sixteenth  corps. 
The  iron-clads  shelled  the  woods  lieavily,  effected  a landing  at  a 
wharf,  and  discovered  and  unearthed  five  torpedoes.  The  enemy’s 
cavalry  scouts  were  driven  off,  one  being  killed.  The  neighboring 
breast-works  were  also  cleared  of  the  foe. 

On  the  previous  day,  March  17th,  a brigade,  of  the  thirteenth 
corps,  which  had  been  transported  from  Dauphin  Island  to  Mobile 
Point,  advanced  on  the  city  along  that  side  of  the  bay.  In  order 
to  make  the  movement  of  the  three  columns  simultaneous.  General 
Steele’s  command  started  from  Pensacola  and  Barrancas  on  the 
18th,  marching  toward  Blakely  Landing,  at  which  point  they  were 
to  unite  with  Granger’s  troops  starting  from  Fort  Morgan,  and 
marching  up  the  east  side  of  the  bay.  The  cavalry  moved  in  ad- 
vance, but  the  condition  of  the  roads  greatly  impeded  their  prog- 
ress. On  the  20th,  Smith’s  corps  arrived  at  the  place  appointed, 
and  were  all  disembarked  by  the  21st.  The  following  day  Gran- 
ger’s corps  arrived.  The  roads  were  wretched,  and  the  troops 


053 


Mohilcy  Ala. 

m 

compelled  to  great  exertion  in  extricating  tlio  artillery  and  trains 
from  the  mire.  The  advance  brigade  easily  repelled  the  rebel 
cavalry  videttes.  The  march,  however,  was  one  of  great  difficulty. 
Slight  skirmishing  occurred  among  scouts  while  the  army  was  at 
Fish  River.  The  troops  were  in  light  marching  order,  without 
tents  or  baggage,  and  with  few  rations,  and  expected  to  have 
reached  the  object-point  at  an  earlier  date  ; but,  unfortunately,  tho 
condition  of  tho  road  delayed  everything. 

Steele’s  column  skirmished  along  tho  route  till  the  advance 
reached  Pine  Barren  Creek,  where  tho  pickets  of  tho  Sixth  Alaba- 
ma Cavalry  were  encountered.  From  the  latter  point  the  Federal 
cavalry  skirmished  slightly  with  the  enemy  till  they  reached 
Mitchell’s  Creek  on  tho  25th,  where  tho  foe  made  a stand.  IJis 
force  numbered  about  800,  consisting  of  tho  Sixth  and  Eighth 
Alabama  Cavalry,  under  General  Clanton.  Tho  First  Louisiana 
and  Second  New  York  instantly  charged,  and  a sharp  fight  ensued, 
eventuating  in  tho  rout  of  the  enemy.  The  pursuit  was  kept  up  to 
tho  Little  Escambia,  almost  the  entire  force  being  killed,  wounded, 
captured,  or  dispersed.  General  Clanton  was  taken  prisoner  with 
275  of  his  command. 

Steele,  advancing  from  Pensacola,  had  seized  two  railway  trains 
at  Evergreen,  ten  miles  above  Pollard,  on  tho  Montgomery  Rail- 
road, and  had  torn  up  and  destroyed  tho  railroad  track  at  both 
of  these  points.  Thence  on  the  2Gth  ho  continued  his  march  to 
Blakely,  four  miles  above  Spanish  Fort.  Having  reached  that 
point,  ho  sent  to  Canby  for  supplies;  and,  on  the  29th,  a wagon- 
train  was  dispatched  to  him. 

On  the  24thi  25th,  26th,  and  27th,  skirmishing  occurred  between 
the  enemy’s  cavalry  and  the  Federal  advance.  Several  men  and 
horses  were  killed  by  torpedoes,  which  were  thickly  planted  on 
tho  routo  to  Spanish  Fort,  wdiither  tho  Union  forces  tended.  On 
tho  25th  the  advance  through  tho  pine  forests  commenced  from 
Fish  River  toward  Blakely.  The  following  day  tho  troops  still 
pushed  forward,  the  sixteenth  moving  on  the  right  toward  Blakely, 
and  the  thirteenth  on  the  left  toward  Spanish  Fort.  The  latter 
drove  tho  rebel  cavalry  back  to  the  fort.  The  sixteenth  compelled 
the  force  confronting  it  to  fall  back  until  Sibley’s  Mills  were 
reached ; when  tho  enemy  attempted  to  firo  tho  bridge  over  Bayou 
Jilinetta,  but  were  prevented  by  a slight  skirmish.  On  the  27th, 
tlio  rebels  in  front  of  the  fort  tried  to  surprise  the  pickets  of  the 
tliirtoenth  corps,  but  met  with  a prompt  repulse. 


654 


Arohile^  Ala. 


At  this  juncture  both  cofps  marched  into  position  to  invest  the 
fort,  the  foe  falling  back  to  Blakely.  The  sixteenth  formed  the 
right,  and  the  thirteenth  tlio  left,  the  divisions  being  posted  from 
riglit  to  left  as  follows:  Carr,  McArthur,  Veach,  Benton,  and 
lastly,  Bertram’s  brigade,  while  Garrard  guarded  the  trains  in  the 
rear.  The  artillery  approached  to  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the 
fort,  and  opened  a heavy  fire.  The  skirmishers  were  then  thrown 
forward,  and  in  spite  of  the  heavy  rain,  artillery  and  musketry 
firing  continued  all  day.  The  co-operating  fleet  soon  got  under 
way,  and  proceeded  up  the  bay  as  far  as  Newport  and  Howard’s 
Landing.  The  Metacomet,  Stockdale,  Milwaukee,  Cincinnati,  Al- 
batross, Winnebago,  and  Genesee  were  ordered  in  toward  the 
shore  and  opened  fire,  sending  nearly  two  hundred  shells  into 
those  places,  inflicting  serious  damage.  After  four  hoars’  firin.g 
they  returned  to  Great  Point  Clear  to  anchor  for  the  night.  The 
enemy  made  no  response  to  the  fleet;  and  at  night  on  the  27th  the 
land  forces  were  well  intrenched,  investing  the  fort.  The  Union 
loss  for  the  day  was  about  200,  and  the  total  loss  in  the  expedition 
thus  far  did  not  exceed  400. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  all  the  batteries  and  the  skirmishers 
opened  again.  Rifle-pits  had  been  tlirown  up  during  the  night,  and 
the  Federal  batteries  moved  up,  till  a few  of  them  were  within 
400  yards  of  the  fort,  while  the  attacking  party  were  within  300 
yards. 

The  navy  proceeded  in  the  investment  of  the  fort,  and  on  the 
28th  opened  a rapid  and  destructive  fire  upon  it.  The  Milwaukee, 
however,  having  moved  near  the  fort,  on  returning,  struck  a tor- 
pedo, which  exploded,  causing  it  instantly  to  fill  and  sink.  There 
was  also  a continuance  of  the  heavy  artillery  and  musketry  firing 
on  the  29th,  and  the  entire  field  assumed  the  aspect  of  a regular 
siege.  The  skirmishers  and  working  parties  were  now  within  80 
yards  of  the  fort,  and  heavy  siege-guns  were  brought  up  to  tlio 
lines.  The  enemy’s  shells  were  quite  destructive,  owing  to  the 
proximity  of  the  troops.  During  the  day  the  Osage,  while  at- 
tempting to  anchor  near  the  east  shore,  was  sunk  by  a torpedo. 

About  two  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  Veatch’s  division 
came  into  conflict  with  the  enemy,  having  lost  their  way  while  re- 
lieving guard.  The  rebels,  apprehending  an  assault,  advanced 
hastily,  driving  in  the  Union  skirmishers  and  working  parties  to 
the  very  rifle-pits,  and  making  some  captures.  But  here  their 
progress  was  suddenly  arrested,  and  they  w'ere  driven  back.  A 


Mobile^  Ala. 


655 


sharp  artillery  duel  then  sprang  up  and  continued  till  daylight.  On 
the  extreme  right  the  enemy’s  gun-boats  and  transports  were 
within  musket  range  of  the  Union  troops  which  had  built  an  earth- 
work, mounting  siege-guns,  within  200  yards  of  the  fort.  The 
same  morning  the  guns  of  Spanish  Fort  opened  on  the  two  vessels 
that  had  been  sunk  the  previous  day  by  the  ex[)losion  of  tor[)0- 
does,  but  did  not  succeed  in  striking  either.  The  iron-clads  in  lino 
resi)onded,  and  several  shells  burst  over  the  fort.  Water  com- 
munication between  Mobile  and  its  principal  defenses  being  sev- 
ered, all  intercourse  with  the  former  was  suspended,  and  the  siege 
progressed  favorably. 

From  the  completion  of  the  investment,  April  3d  till  the  8th,  there 
was  a constant  interchange  between  the  batteries  and  gun-boats 
of  the  opposing  forces.  Heavy  shells  were  hurled  at  the  Unionists 
from  batteries  invisible  to  the  naked  eye,  and  great  losses  resulted. 
The  fleet,  unable  to  advance  as  far  up  the  bay  as  was  hoped,  crossed 
the  bar,  and  engaging  the  ram  Nashville  and  Spanish  Fort,  drove 
the  rebel  fleet  toward  the  city.  Just  before  night-fall  of  the  8th, 
the  final  preparations  were  made,  .and  the  entire  artillery,  siege- 
guns,  and  field-j)ieces  opened  a terrific  fire  on  the  fort,  which  was 
completely  licmmod  in  by  the  Federal  lines;  while  the  gun-boats 
that  had  accomplished  the  same  result  by  water,  cutting  off  com- 
7iiunication  with  Mobile,  mingled  their  volleys  in  the  general  can- 
nonade. Simultaneously  the  skinnishers  crept  forward  from  trench 
to  trench  and  ridge  to  ridge,  until  they  were  snfllciently  near  to 
prevent,  by  the  accuracy  of  their  fire,  the  rebel  artillerists  from 
managing  their  unsheltered  gnns.  At  first  the  enemy  responded 
heavily  ; but  as  the  battle  waxed  hotter,  he  was  gradually  driven 
from  his  gnns  and  replied  more  and  more  feebly,  until  at  midnight 
he  was  silenced.  An  hour  afterward  the  fort  surrendered,  the 
Union  troops  pressing  upon  the  intrenchinents  and  entering  them 
at  two  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  9th.  Bertram’s  brigade  im- 
mediately occupied  Spanish  Fort.  Two  brass  howitzers,  two 
heavy  Parrott  guns,  six  Napoleons,  two  six-pounders,  one  eight- 
inch  mortar,  several  columbiads,  and  a barge  quantity  of  ammuni- 
tion fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists.  The  whole  number  of 
prisoners  taken  was  652.  The  major  part  of  the  garrison  escaped 
by  water. 

The  guns  of  the  captured  fort  were  immediately  turned  upon 
forts  Tracy  and  bliiger,  which  were  abandoned  by  the  rebels  after 
spiking  eight  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance.  The  Federal  fleet,  now 


11 


056 


MohiU^  Ala. 


assisted  by  some  prisoners,  succeeded  in  removing  thirty-five  tor- 
pedoes, and  i-an  up  almost  within  shelling  distance  of  Mobile.  It 
only  remained  to  seize  Blakely,  which  had  for  four  days  been  in- 
vested by  land,  but  whose  water  communication  with  the  city  liad 
but  just  been  severed  by  the  fall  of  the  fort.  The  monitors  and 
gun-boats  reached  the  mouth  of  Blakely  Kiver  on  the  ftth,  and  the 
same  day  the  troops  formed  to  assault  the  defenses  of  the  town. 
The  I'ebel  works  at  this  point  consisted  of  one  huge  fortification, 
nearly  throe  miles  in  length,  its  right  resting  near  Bayou  Minctta, 
and  the  left  on  Blakely  River.  The  rebel  artillery  swept  all  the 
main  roads,  and  their  gun-boats  enfiladed  the  Federal  lino  from 
right  to  left.  Along  the  front  were  lines  of  abattis,  palisades, 
and  chevaiix  ile  frise.,  and  a wide,  deep  ditch  at  the  base  of  the 
fort.  Inside  was  a garrison  of  3,000  men.  General  Thomas’  divi- 
sion was  on  the  right  and  General  Oockerill’s  on  the  loft.  The 
works  glistened  with  cannon. 

General  Steele  ordered  his  men  to  bo  ready  to  assault  the  works 
at  five  o’clock.  At  precisely  5.30  the  contest  opened  on  the  left. 
General  Garrard  commanding  this  wing  of  the  army,  sent  forward 
one  third  of  his  strong  lino  to  within  fifty  yards  of  the  main  works, 
when  a withering  discharge  of  shell  and  shrapnel  was  liurled  upon 
them.  The  Seventeenth  Ohio  Battery  responded  fiercely,  and  Gar- 
rard, meantime,  xmshed  forward  the  advance  cautiously  to  select 
the  safest  avenue  for  moving  up  the  line  preparatory  to  a grand 
charge.  Finding  there  was  no  choice  of  ground,  after  a brief  inter- 
view between  the  division  and  brigadier  generals,  the  thrilling 
command.  Forward!  rang  along  the  line. 

"With  a terrible  yell,  which  alone  drew  the  enemy's  artillery,  the 
whole  division  moved  forward  on  a doublc-(piick,  as  though  they 
would  annihilate  all  before  them.  They  had  proceeded4»nly  a short 
distance  when  they  were  assailed  by  a tempest  of  grape  and  canis- 
ter, and  for  an  instant  they  wavered;  but  their  brave  commander, 
seeing  it,  and  knowing  that  his  presence  would  encourago  them, 
rode  rapidly  to  the  right  of  the  lino  and  urged  his  men  forward. 
They  quickly  rallied,  and  for  half  an  hour  struggled  through  the 
most  intricate  obstructions ; while,  in  addition  to  the  bursting  of 
shells  and  the  shower  of  bullets  and  cani.ster,  the  very  earth  trem- 
bled with  the  explosion  of  torpedoes.  Notwithstanding  the  fearful 
storm  of  bullets,  in  one  hour  the  obstructions  were  passed,  and  the 
Union  troops  leaped  into  the  ditches  and  scrambled  over  the  works. 
Riunekin’s  and  Gilbert’s  brigades  turned  the  right  of  the  fort,  and 


657 


Mobile^  Ala. 

gained  its  entrance  at  the  same  time,  capturing  the  rebel  Brigadier- 
General  Thomas  and  a tliousand  men.  No  sooner  -was  this  point 
gained  tlian  the  Stars  and  Stripes  waved  along  the  parapets,  while 
wild,  exultant  shouts  rent  the  air. 

During  the  engagement  the  entire  lino  was  actively  partici- 
pating. The  troops  in  the  center  were  composed  of  one  brigade 
of  Veatch’s  division,  under  command  of  General  Dennis,  and  two 
brigades  of  Andrews’  division,  respectively  commanded  by  Col- 
onels Spicely  and  Moore.  No  sooner  had  Garrard’s  division  en- 
tered the  conflict  than  the  other  troops  were  ordered  to  join  in  the 
charge.  The  scene  in  the  center  was  less  sanguinary,  and  the 
advance  upon  the  fort  less  dangerous;  but  the  rebels  maintained 
a tremendous  artillery  fire,  causing  many  a brave  soldier  to  fall 
while  hei'oically  performing  liis  dut}’.  When  Andrews’  division 
was  witliiii  forty  yards  of  tlio  fort,  the  rebels  poured  into  it  a 
withering  fire  from  eight  guns.  The  advance  skirmishers  pushed 
forward  and  were  niioii  the  point  of  icaching  the  ditch,  when  a 
dozen  torpedoes  exploded  under  them,  causing  great  confusion. 
Meantime  the  rebels  rained  a perfect  torrent  of  grape  and  canister 
into  their  midst ; still  the  advance  pressed  on,  and  were  soon  joined 
by  the  regular  line. 

The  column  on  the  right,  consisting  of  colored  troops  under 
General  Uawkins,  charged  with  characteristic  impetuosity.  They 
were  pitted  .against  Mississipi)i  troops,  and  but  once  did  they  falter. 
At  this  juncture  their  commander  gave  orders  for  them  to  move  up 
and  take  the  right  of  the  work.  Tliey  (juickly  obeyed,  carrying 
everything  befoi'e  them.  At  seven  o’clock  the  national  flag  was 
flung  to  the  breeze  from  the  ramparts,  and  Blakely,  with  all  it  con- 
tained, came  into  possession  of  the  Unionists.  The  fruits  of  the 
' rictory  were  3,000  prisoners,  32  pieces  of  artillery,  4,000  stands  of 
small-arms,  IG  battle-flags,  and  a largo  quantity  of  .ammunition. 
Tlie  rebel  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  500.  The  Federal  casual- 
ties in  front  of  Blakely  were  estimated  at  1,000. 

The  two  follow'ing  days  were  spent  in  reconnoitering  on  land 
and  in  the  bay.  All  the  forts  on  the  eastern  shore  were  occupied, 
and  about  4,000  prisoners  sent  to  Fort  Gaines.  Everytbiug  in  the 
b.ay  w.as  captured  except  four  rebel  gun-boats,  wbich  escaped  up 
the  Alabama  River. 

The  fall  of  Jlobile  was  now  assured.  The  enemy  commenced 
evacuating  it  on  the  10th  and  continued  on  the  11th,  .at  which 
time  the  work  was  complete.  At  ten  o’clock  on  the  morning  of 

33 


G58 


Central  Alabama  and  Georgia. 


the  12th,  tlie  Federal  troops  planted  their  colors  on  batteries  Porter 
and  Mackintosh,  and  four  hours  later  the  national  flag  floated  over 
Mobile,  the  second  seaport  of  the  Confederacy. 

Tlie  total  loss  of  the  Union  fleet  was  two  heavy  iron-clads,  two  so- 
called  tin-clads,  and  one  transport,  all  destroyed  by  torpedoes.  The 
loss  of  men  in  the  fleet  did  not  exceed  fifty;  that  of  the  army  was 
about  2,000.  The  captures  in  the  city  were  large  and  of  great 
value.  The  number  of  prisoners,  including  sick,  stragglers,  and 
deserters,  was  reckoned  at  1,200,  Maury  escaped  up  the  Ala- 
bama Uiver  with  about  9,000  men. 


CENTRAL  ALABAMA  AND  GEORGIA. 

(Wilson’s  Raid.) 

March  17  to  April  20,  1865. 

Unionists,  under  General  R’iVson,  15,000.  Losaee  dv,ring  entire  ea>pediiio7i,  850. 
Znatinioniatii,  under  General  Forrest  and  other  leaders,  in  various  numbers. 
Losses  in  killed  and  wounded,  severe — numbers  not  stated;  in  prisoners, 
nearly  7,000. 

Maucii  17th,  the  last  troops  designated  for  Wilson’s  great  Ala- 
bama cavalry  expedition  left  General  Thomas’  headquarters  at 
Nasliville.  Months  had  been  spent  in  preparation,  and  men, 
horses,  ammunition,  supplies,  pontoons,  and  wagons  were  abun- 
dantly provided.  The  troops,  numbering  15,000,  were  mostly 
veterans,  and  marched  with  great  gallantry.  The  final  rendezvous 
was  Eastport;  thence  the  command  advanced  in  two  columns,  and 
struck  at  Marion  and  Plantersville  simultaneously.  Two  brigades 
of  Roddy’s  division  of  Forrest’s  cavalry,  under  General  Patterson, 
were  stationed  at  the  former  place,  and  Adams’  division  at  the 
latter.  On  the  morning  of  the  21st  a severe  fight  occurred  at 
Marion,  lasting  several  hours.  Ten  Federal  regiments  were  armed 
with  Spencer’s  rifles,  which  hurled  death  and  destruction  upon  the 
serried  ranks  of  the  foe.  Unable  to  withstand  the  fearful  volleys, 
they  fled  in  wild  confusion  with  a heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded, 
also  a total  loss  of  their  artillery.  The  engagement  at  Planters- 
ville was  brief;  the  enemy  resisted  obstinately,  but  were  com- 
pelled to  succumb  to  superior  numbers.  In  their  precipitate  flight 
they  abandoned  all  their  artillery  ; they  also  sustained  heavy  losses 
in  killed  and  wounded. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  2d,  the  Federal  troops  advanced  en- 
thusiastically upon  Selma,  still  marching  in  two  columns  the  first 


JAMKS  n.  WILSON, 

IJi'Cvet  ]\lajoi’-(jeii.  A"o!s.,  Ijuni  in  Illinois,  about  1840;  gradnatod  at  AVcst 
I’oint  in  July, 1800,  first  in  bis  class.  I’rcvot  ‘2d-Lient.  linginccrs,  .Inly,  1800  ; 
Ist-Licut.  Engineers,  Sept.  0,  1801  ; Assistant  Inspector-General  in  AVestern 
Department,  witli  nominal  rank  of  Colonel,  in  1802  ; Capt.  Engineers,  U.  S. 
A.,  May  7,1803;  Col.  Cavalry,  1803;  Brig.-Gcn.  A^ol.  Cavalry,  Ang.  30, 
1803,  in  .Army  (bnnberland  ; c.onnnandi'r  Division  of  Cavalry  in  yVrmy  of 
I’oloiniic,  Alay,  1804  ; made  raid  on  AVddon  Railroad,  and  destroyed  fifty 
miles,  July  1 and  2,  1804;  Brevet  Alajor-Gen.,  Oct.  .0,  1804,  and  ordered  to 
report  to  Gen.  Thomas  ; that  General  made  him  at  once  Chief  of  Cavalry 
Corps  in  his  army,  and  he  was  ordered  to  mount  his  force  as  speedily  as  possi- 
ble. (It  had  been  dismounted,  in  part,  to  furnisli  Sherman’s  Cavalry  Corps.) 
Early  in  Dec.,  1804,  lie  had  his  command  in  good  condition,  and  took  an  act- 
ive part  in  the  battles  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  10,  and  subscejuent  pursuit 
of  Hood  ; in  Marcli,  1805,  in  command  of  a Cavalry  force  of  15,000  men,  he 
captured  Selma,  Alontgomery,  AVest  Point,  Ga.,  Gritlin,  Columbus,  Ga., 
Alacon,  and  Augusta,  and  a detachment  of  his  force  look  JetTei'Son  Davis 
prisoner  at  Irwinsville,  Ga.,  May  25. 


Central  Alabama  and  Georgia.  CGI 

division  taking  a road  leading  to  the  center  of  the  works,  the 
fourth  division  advancing  upon  tlie  left.  Ari-iving  at  the  brow  of 
a liiU,  the  rebels  were  found  drawn  up  in  lino  of  battle  in  front  of 
the  fortifications  covering  the  town.  The  skirmish  line  imme- 
diately pushed  forward  and  kept  up  a brisk  fire  witli  the  enemy's 
skirmish  lino,  until  at  a given  signal  the  second  division,  led  by 
the  gallant  General  Long,  charged  fiercely  upon  the  works,  and 
the  contest  opened  in  earnest.  As  the  troops  advanced,  they 
maintained  a sharp  fire  with  their  Spencer  carbines,  which  was 
vigorously  returned  with  artillery  and  musketry.  In  fifteen  min- 
utes frosn  the  time  the  charge  was  made,  two  regiments  of  the  In- 
diana brigade,  led  by  the  bravo  Colonel  Minty,  scaled  the  works, 
and  soon  after  the  entire  division  entered  the  first  line  of  defenses, 
diiving  the  foe  like  chaff  before  the  wind.  In  less  than  an  hour 
Selma  surrendered. 

The  fortifications  surrounding  the  city,  nearly  .as  formidable  as 
those  of  Atlanta,  were  stormed  by  the  gallant  troo[icrs,  dismounted, 
and  over  2,000  prisoners  and  100  guns  were  secured. 

Tlie  arsenals,  naval  iron- works,  magazines,  and  government  build- 
ings at  this  e.xtensive  rebel  entrepot  were  quickly  destroyed.  The 
capture  of  Selma  gave  the  Unionists  control  of  the  termini  of  the 
Alabama  and  Mississippi  and  the  Alabama  and  Tennessee  railro.ads, 
thereby  depriving  the  enemy  of  their  last  main  thoroughfare  of  com- 
munication. General  AVinslow  was  left  in  command  of  the  place 
with  a brig.ade  of  troops,  while  AVilson,  with  the  remainder  of  his 
force,  pushed  on  to  fresh  conquests. 

The  Alabama  Iliver  was  bridged — although  eight  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  wide — the  operation  occupying  five  days,  from  the  6th 
to  the  10th.  After  a inarch  of  fifty  miles  they  attacked  Montgom- 
ery April  11th.  The  city  surrendered  without  assault,  the  rebels 
h.aving  burned  8.6,000  bales  of  cotton  before  evacuating.  2,Y00 
prisoners,  112  guns  in  position,  aiid  76  in  arsenal  were  taken  with 
the  city.  The  Unionists  destroyed  largo  amounts  of  property  in 
the  captured  city  as  well  as  along  the  route.  After  tarrying  two 
days,  they  resumed  their  march,  and  reached  Columbus,  Ga.,  eighty- 
five  miles  distant,  on  the  ICth.  General  Upton  carried  the  place 
by  assault  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day : 1,200  prisoners  were 
cajitured,  also  63  guns,  seven  largo  cotton  factories,  and  100,000 
bales  of  cotton;  immense  quantities  of  ordnance,  quartermaster 
and  commissary  stores,  a largo  arsenal,  and  several  manufacturing 
establishments  were  taken  and  destroyed.  , 


662 


Maleigh  and  Hillsboro,  IT,  G. 

La  Grange’s  brigade  now  made  a detour  to  West  Point,  at- 
tacked tlio  works,  and  carried  tliem  by  storm,  capturing  the  gar- 
rison, 350  in  number,  and  killing  the  rebel  General  Tyler  in  com- 
mand. Fifteen  locomotives,  200  cars,  two  bridges,  and  two  largo 
factories  in  tbo  vicinity  were  reduced  to  ashes.  Large  qu.antities 
of  quartermaster  and  commissary  stores  were  destroyed  at  Griffin, 
also  the  railway  bridges  on  the  Selma  and  kfontgomery  Eailroad. 

April  20th,  Wilson’s  victorious  command  reached  Macon,  which 
Avas  taken  without  opposition.  Generals  Howell  Cobb,  Giistaviis  W. 
Smith,  Robertson,  iNfcrcer,  and  McCall  were  made  jirisoners.  The 
cajitures  were  132  guns  in  position,  200  guns  in  arsenals,  with  im- 
mense amounts  of  ordnance,  quartermaster  and  commissary  stores. 
Here  General  Wilson  established  for  a time  his  headquarters,  keep- 
ing a vigilant  watch  over  the  surrounding  country,  and  sending  out 
scouting  parties  hero  and  there  as  occasion  seemed  to  require. 

— <•■0 

HALEIGII  AND  HILLSBORO,  N.  C. 

April  13  to  2G,  1305. 

Unionists^  nrider  O&neral  Sherman^from  80,000  to  90,000.  Zosses  irijling. 
VimtnionistHy  under  General  Johnston^  over  40,000.  Losses  in  killed  and  wounds 

edy  sinalL ; in  prisoners^  hij final  surrender^  about  80,000. 

On  the  21st  of  kfarch,  the  day  following  the  struggle  at  Benton- 
villo,  which  we  have  previously  described,  General  Schofield  en- 
tered Goldsboro  with  little  opposition.  The  junction  of  the  three 
arndes  under  Sherman,  Tei’ry,  and  Schofield  was  now  ofi’ected,  and 
the  ultimate  object  of  the  campaign  obtained. 

The  march  from  Savannah  to  Goldsboro  had  involved  great 
Labor  and  severe  exposure,  but  during  the  long  and  tedious  route 
perfect  cheerfulness  and  concert  of  action  had  prevailed.  Sherman 
and  his  victorious  legions  remained  at  Goldsboro  till  April  10th  ; 
then,  leaving  Schofield  in  command  at  the  latter  point,  the  General- 
in-chief,  with  the  main  body  of  his  troops,  advanced  upon  Raleigh, 
arriving  there  on  the  13th,  and  occupying  the  town  after  a slight 
skirmish.  Johnston  fell  back  to  Hillsboro.  At  this  jmictnro  tho 
latter  received  intelligence  of  tho  surrender  of  Lee’s  army,  and 
perceiving  the  hopelessness  of  further  hostilities,  immediately  ad- 
dressed a note  to  tho  commander  of  the  Union  forces,  desiring  to 
know  what  conditions  would  bo  granted  in  the  event  of  his  sur- 
render. General  Sherman  responded  that  negotiations  could  bo 
arranged  best  by  a personal  interview,  and  accordingly  proposed  a 


C63 


Raleigh  and  Ilillshoro^  Nl  C. 


conference  the  next  day  between  the  lines  of  the  two  armies.  The 
meeting  occurred,  as  desired,  on  the  17tli  of  April,  at  a house  on  tho 
roadside,  five  miles  beyond  Durliam’.s  Station,  a place  now  invested 
with  peculiar  historic  interest.  The  Generals  were  accompanied 
by  their  staffs  and  escorts,  and  the  interview  was  attended  with 
marked  courtesy.  After  a brief  interchange  of  casual  remarks,  tho 
commanders  retired  to  the  house,  and  there  alone  first  conferred 
together. 

Johnston  desired  to  surrender  not  only  his  immediate  command, 
but  as  the  representative  of  tho  rebel  authorities,  the  entire  armed 
force  of  the  rebellion.  It  was  also  his  wish  to  know  what  condi- 
tions would  be  granted  the  members  of  the  Confederate  executive. 
General  Sherman  ignored  the  authority  of  such  a government,  but 
decl.ared  himself  ready  to  treat  with  General  Johnston  as  an  officer 
of  tlio  insurgent  forces. 

A second  colloipiy  took  place  April  18th.  On  this  occasion  tho 
rebel  General  was  accompanied  by  .John  C.  Breckinridge,  whose 
status,  however,  during  the  conference,  was  recognized  only  as 
that  of  major-general  of  the  rebel  troops,  and  not  as  secretary  of 
war.  Tho  meeting  basted  till  four  a.m.,  when  the  commanding 
officers  separated  . '.larf.  :jMno”t  for  a cessation  of  hostilities 
^Y a?  fixed  upon,  avid  tl  pfirllo  (Ag  ,1  agreement  for  a permanent 
peace  was  negotiatc(  / avbj-w  tc  /,■  ^ pproval  of  the  National  Ad- 
ministration. 

‘'‘■First.  Tho  contending  armies  nou  in  tl.A  .f  (If  io  maintain  tlieir 
statu  quo  until  notice  is  given  by  tho  commanding  general  of  either 
one  to  its  opponent,  and  reasonable  time,  say  forty-eight  hours,  al- 
lowed. 

“ Second.  The  Confederate  armies  now  in  existence  to  fie  dis- 
banded and  conducted  to  tho  several  State  capitals,  there  to 
dejxisit  their  arms  and  ]niblic  property  in  tho  State  arsenal,  and 
eacli  officer  and  man  to  execute  and  file  an  agreement  to  cease  from 
acts  of  war  and  abide  the  action  of  both  State  and  Federal  author- 
ities. The  number  of  arms  and  munitions  of  war  to  bo  re[)ortcd 
to  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  at  Washington  city,  subject  to  future 
action  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  in  tho  mean  time 
to  be  used  solely  to  maintain  peace  and  order  within  tho  borders  of 
the  States  respectively. 

“ Third.  The  recognition  by  the  Executive  of  tho  United  States 
of  the  several  Slate  governments,  on  their  officers  and  Legishaturcs 
taking  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States ; 


6G4  Italei'jh  and  Hillsboro,  N".  C. 

and  where  conflicting  State  governments  have  resulted  from  tho 
war,  the  legitimacy  of  all  shall  he  submitted  to  the  Supreme  Court 
of  tho  United  States. 

“ Fourth.  The  re-establishment  of  all  Federal  courts  in  tho  sev- 
eral States,  with  powers  as  defined  by  the  Constitution  and  laws 
of  Congress. 

'■'•Fifth.  Tho  people  and  inhabitants  of  all  States  to  be  guar- 
anteed, so  far  as  the  Exeoitivo  can,  their  political  rights  and 
franchise,  as  well  as  their  rights  of  [loi-son  and  property,  as  defined 
by  the  Constitution  of  tho  United  States  and  of  States  rcsj)ectively, 

"Sixth.  The  executive  authority  of  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  not  to  disturb  any  of  the  people  by  reason  of  tho  late 
war,  so  long  as  they  live  in  peace  and  quiet,  abstain  from  acts  of 
armed  hostility,  and  obey  laws  in  existence  at  any  place  of  their 
residence. 

“ Seventh.  In  general  terms,  war  to  cease,  a general  .amnesty,  so 
far  as  tho  executive  power  of  tho  United  States  can  coinmand,  or 
on  condition  of  disbandment  of  tho  Confederate  armies,  and  tho 
distribution  of  arms  and  resumption  of  peaceful  pursuits  by  officers 
and  men,  as  hitherto  composing  the  said  armies.  Not  being  fully 
empowered  by  our  respective  principabtc  j '‘'ulfill  these  terms, 
individually  and  officii”;  pi  ^ ' cirselvc  to  pi’omptly  obtain 
necessary  authority  and  U j'aria  autthoabc»  e programme. 

W.  ..  Sn'f:uiiXN,  iMajor-General, 

“ Commanding tb  o Ami,  of  the  U.  States  in  North  Carolina. 

“,1.  U.  .Johnston,  Geueiail, 

“ Commanding  Confederate  States  Army  in  North  Carolina.’’ 

The  same  evening  Major  Hitchcock,  of  General  Sherman’s  staff, 
starteS  for  AVashington  with  dispatches  to  tho  Ih-esident,  submit- 
ting the  above  teians  to  his  con.sideration.  These  terms,  for  rea- 
sons publicly  announced  by  the  Secretary  of  AVar,  were  at  once 
repudiated.  General  Grant  was  ordered  to  Raleigh,  bearing  the 
dispatches  communicating  their  rejection.  His  noble  suborfiinato — 
by  whose  dictation  or  with  whose  assent  they  had  heen  fi'amed,  in 
accordance  with  a presumed  purpose  of  the  lately  murdered  Presi- 
dent— received  tho  order  of  disapproval  with  commendable  good 
grace.  There  was  no  hesitancy,  no  murmuring,  nor  any  expression 
of  dissatisfaction. 

AVitliout  any  attempt  at  extenuation  of  his  coarse,  General  Sher- 
man, with  true  soldierly  spirit,  commenced  with  alacrity  to  carry 
out  tho  views  of  the  Government.  AVithin  five  minutes  a disp.atch 


District  of  Columhia.  CG5 

■was  forwartlcd  to  Johnston  informing  him  of  the  result  of  the 
mission  to  Washington,  and  terminating  the  armistice  upon  the  re- 
ceipt of  notilication.  lie  was  also  iiilurmed  that  liustilitics  would 
he  promptly  resumed.  The  rebel  General,  seeing  the  utter  hope- 
lessness of  his  situation,  sent  back  a flag  of  truce  asking  an  inter- 
■view  with  General  Sherman  for  the  juirpose  of  arranging  other 
conditions.  His  request  was  granted  i)roinptly,  and  terms  were 
made  upon  the  basis  of  those  allowed  to  Gejieral  Lee,  the  main 
point  of  difference  being  that  parolied  prisoners  were  permitted  to 
retain  their  horses  (except  those  of  the  artillery),  their  wagons, 
and  five  per  cent,  of  their  small-arms  to  i)rotect  themselves  on  their 
homeward  route. 

The  final  surrender  occurred  April  SOth,  the  ])lac6  of  conference 
being  that  used  on  the  occasion  of  the  foi  tner  colloquies — llennctt’s 
liouso,  five  miles  boyonil  Durham’s  Station.  The  number  of  men 
achially  parolied  was  reported  at  near  fl0,000,  many  liaviug  deserted 
during  the  temporary  armistice. 


ASSASSINATION  OF  PEESIDENT  LINCOLN. 

ITS  EFFECT  ON  THE  NATION. 

Ai'nii.  14  TO  JuLT  7,  1805. 

President  Lincoln,  who  had  been  at  City  Point  during  the 
campaign  which  resulted  in  the  evacuation  of  Richmond  and  Pe- 
tersburg and  the  surrender  of  Lee’s  army,  and  who  had  entered 
Richmond  and  spent  one  day  there,  had  i-eturned  to  Washington, 
satisfied  that  the  last  days  of  the  rebellion  had  come,  and  that 
peace  and  quietness  of  which  during  the  past  four  years  neither  he 
nor  the  nation  had  had  much  experience,  was  about  to  return. 
Cheered  with  this  prosjiect,  and  rejoicing  that  on  the  14th  of 
April,  the  anniversary  of  its  downfall  four  years  before,  tlio  na- 
tional flag  was  again  to  wave  over  Sumter,  Mr.  Lincoln,  on  the 
evening  of  that  day  (Good  Friday),  at  the  earnest  solicitation 
of  friends,  went  to  Ford’s  theater  with  his  wife  and  the  daughter 
and  step-son  (Major  Rathbone)  of  Senator  Harris  of  New  York,  to 
witness  the  play  of  the  “ American  Cousin.”  During  the  second 
scene  of  the  third  act  of  the  j>lay,  about  ten  o’clock  p.m.,  an  assas- 
sin suddenly  entered  the  box  and  fired  a pistol  at  Mr.  Lincoln,  the 
ball  taking  effect  in  the  back  part  of  the  head,  and  passing  iqiward 
and  forward  through  the  posterior  portion  of  the  brain.  Major 


606 


District  of  Columbia. 


Ratlibone  attempted  instantly  to  seize  the  desperado,  and  thongh 
severely  wounded  in  the  arm,  clung  to  him,  but  as  the  assassin 
leaped  from  the  box  upon  the  stage,  his  hold  gave  way.  In  this 
leap  the  spur  upon  the  boot  of  the  murderer  caught  in  the  flag,  and 
he  fell,  but  springing  up,  he  flourished  a bowie-knife,  and  shouting 
“ Sic  semj>er  tyrannis''  (the  motto  of  Virginia),  nashed  across  the 
stage  and  out  by  a rear  passage,  where  he  had  a horse  in  waiting, 
which  he  mounted  and  on  which  ho  fled.  The  moment  it  was  as- 
certained that  the  i*resi<lcnt  had  been  shot,  the  most  intense  ex- 
citement ])revuiled.  klr.  Lincoln  was  borne  from  the  house, 
insensible,  to  a dwelling  near,  where  he  lingered  without  return 
of  consciousness  till  twenty-two  minutes  past  seven  in  the  morning 
of  the  15th,  when  he  expired.  At  the  same  hour,  another  assassin 
entered  the  residence  of  lion.  'William  II.  Seward — secretary  of 
state,  who  was  very  ill  from  injuries  received  from  being  thrown 
from  his  carriage  a few  days  before — and  pretending  to  have  been 
sent  by  his  physician  with  some  medicine  for  him,  forced  his  way 
into  his  chamber,  though  not  without  great  resistance,  and  having 
inflicted  severe  injuries  upon  three  men,  Messrs.  liobinson  and 
llansell,  the  attendants  of  Mr.  Seward,  and  Mr.  Frederick  'W. 
Seward,  son  of  the  Secretary,  attempted  to  cut  .klr.  Seward’s 
throat;  but  owing  to  the  dressing  upon  his  face,  which  had  been 
fractured  by  his  fall,  he  only  succeeded  in  laying  open  the  cheek 
and  jaw.  lie  also  fled.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  it  had  been 
intended  by  the  conspirators  to  murder  not  only  klr.  Lincoln  and 
Mr.  Seward,  but  Vice-President  Johnson,  Secretary  Stanton,  Gen- 
eral Grant,  and  Chief-Justice  Chase,  and  the  desperate  plot  had 
partially  failed  through  unexpected  movements  of  some  of  the  in- 
tended victims  and  the  cowardice  of  some  of  the  conspirators. 
The  intelligence  of  the  murder  of  the  President  sent  a thrill  of 
horror  through  the  entire  nation  and  overwhelmed  it  in  the  deep- 
est grief. 

When  the  sad  day  (April  18th)  came  in  which  the  body  of  the 
Republic’s  most  honored  magistrate,  martyred  in  its  cause,  was  to 
be  borne  to  its  final  resting-place  in  the  distant  Prairie  State,  a 
scene  was  witnessed  such  as  had  never  before  taken  place  in  hu- 
man history.  The  whole  nation  mourned  with  a depth  and 
intensity  of  grief,  unparalleled  in  all  the  records  of  the  past,  the  loss 
of  its  chosen  head,  its  father  and  its  friend. 

“ Amid  the  stirring  April  days,  while  springing  grass  and  green- 
ing boughs  proclaimed  that  summer  drew  nigh,  the  procession  left 


District  of  Columbia. 


667 


the  capital  which  never  before  had  been  so  sliaken  with  pain  and 
grief  and  righteous  rage.  They  took  the  same  route  which  he  had 
traversed  when  coming  in  life  to  his  high  place,  and  bore  him  for- 
ever from  the  scene  of  his  eventful  sway.  And  as  they  went,  the 
great  capitals  of  the  land  welcomed,  with  such  demonstrations 
of  honor  as  no  preceding  experience  had  witnessed,  the  shrunken, 
discolored,  and  pulseless  frame.  The  city  through  which  lie 
passed  before  in  a sheltering  privacy,  now  crowded  tremulous,  in 
tearful  affection,  around  his  bier.  The  great  metropolis,  whoso 
mob  then  hated  him,  the  leaders  of  whose  fashion  turned  from  him 
with  contempt,  and  whose  authorities  sought  to  insult  him,  now 
poured  from  every  street  and  lane  to  witness  the  sad  procession 
of  his  mourners.  Its  whole  business  was  suspended ; its  houses 
were  hung  from  base  to  roof  with  funeral  pomp ; its  pavements 
were  thronged  with  silent,  patient,  unmoving  crowds ; its  windows 
gleamed  with  pallid  faces,  as  through  the  hushed,  expectant  ave- 
nues wound,  hour  by  hour,  while  bells  were  tolling  and  minute- 
guns  w'ith  measured  boom  Tvere  counting  the  instants,  that  vast, 
uncounted,  unparalleled  procession.  Not  capitals  only,  but  States 
themselves,  became  his  mourners.  Churches  put  off  their  Easter 
emblems  to  hide  pillar  and  wall  and  arch  in  sable  woe.  Each  rail- 
way was  made  a via  Dolorosa.  The  spontaneous  homage  of  mill- 
ions was  offered  through  the  uncovered  head,  the  crape,  the 
wreath,  through  all  the  somber  insignia  of  grief,  as  the  train  with 
its  precious  burden  sped  on.  The  country  shrouded  its  weeping 
face,  and  all  the  blooms  of  spring  around  could  bring  no  flush  to  its 
changed  countenance;  the  song  and  sparkle,  and  the  fresh  impulse 
of  which  the  very  air  was  full,  could  stir  no  pulse  of  gladness  or 
of  hope  while  still  that  spectacle  haunted  its  gaze.  For  over 
every  loyal  heart  there  brooded  a sorrow  as  if  the  most  revered 
had  fallen,  as  if  the  shock  of  personal  bereavement  had  smitten 
separately  every  household.” 

While  this  sad  procession  was  thus  slowly  drawing  toward  the 
final  resting-place  of  the  martyred  President,  the  Vice-President — 
who  had  taken  the  oath  of  office  as  President — and  the  cabinet  were 
unwearied  in  their  efforts  to  ascertain  and  bring  to  justice  the  mis- 
creants who  had  been  guilty  of  a deed  so  horrible.  The  murderer 
of  the  President  was  recognized  as  one  John  Wilkes  Booth,  a 
profligate  and  desperate  actor,  who  had  availed  himself  of  his 
knowledge  of  the  theater  and  his  free  access  to  it  (having  formerly 
performed  there)  to  plan  the  details  of  his  infamous  crime.  But 


CG8 


District  of  Columbia. 


tlie  fact  tliat  tlio  attempt  was  made  to  mm-der  all  tlie  leading 
officers  of  the  Government  showed  conclusively  that  tlie  conspiracy 
was  an  extensive  one,  and  involved  others  than  the  immediate 
actors.  Payne,  alias  Powell,  the  attempted  assassin  of  Mr.  Sew- 
ard, was  arrested  two  days  after  at  the  residence  of  a Mrs.  Snrralt, 
toward  whom  suspicion  pointed  as  having  been  extremely  intimate 
with  Booth,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Surratt  were  at  once  placed  in 
close  confinement.  Atzerot,  a German,  who  was  to  have  murdered 
Vice-President  Johnson ; Arnold,  whose  complicity  had  been  as- 
certained by  correspondence  found  in  Booth's  trunk  ; O’Langhlin, 
also  implicated;  and  SpangleV,  an  employee  of  the  theater,  who 
had  aided  Booth  in  escaping,  were  arrested,  and  the  detectives 
were  engaged  in  tracking  Booth  and  Ilarold,  a youth  who  had  been 
his  confidant  and  companion.  On  the  2Gth  of  April  they  were 
broiiglit  to  bay  in  a barn  in  Accomac  County,  and  Harold  surren- 
dered, but  Booth  refusing  to  surrender,  the  barn  was  set  on  fire, 
and  Booth  attempting  to  fight  his  way  out,  was  shot  by  Sei-geant 
Boston  Corbett,  and  died  after  three  hours  of  fearful  suffering, 
lie  had  broken  his  leg  in  his  leap  upon  the  stage,  and  a Dr.  Mudd, 
who  had  been  one  of  the  conspirators,  had  set  it,  but  it  had  had  no 
opportunity  to  unite.  Dr.  Mudd  was  arrested  and  brought  to  Wash- 
ington for  trial  with  the  rest.  The  military  court  which  was  to  try 
these  cases,  found  that  John  II.  Surratt,  a son  of  Mrs.  Surratt,  had 
also  been  an  active  coadjutor  in  the  conspiracy,  but  ho  had  made 
his  escape.  There  was  also  ample  evidence  im])licating  Jefferson 
Davis,  the  late  rebel  President ; Mr.  Seddon,  the  late  rebel  secre- 
tary of  war;  Clement  C.  Clay;  Beverly  Tucker;  Jacob  Thomp- 
son, formerly  secretary  of  the  intei’ior;  George  M.  Saunders,  and 
others,  as  accessories  before  the  fact  in  the  assassination,  and  as 
having  furnished  the  money  and  rewards  for  it.  The  ])arties  al- 
ready under  arrest  were  tried  by  a military  court,  and  with  every 
advantage  of  counsel.  Payne  or  Powell,  Atzerot,  Harold,  and 
Mrs.  Surratt  wei'C  condemned  to  death,  and  were  hung  July  7, 
1805.  Mudd,  O’Laughhn,  and  Arnold  wore  imprisoned  for  life  on 
the  Dry  Tortugas,  and  Spangler  for  six  years. 


669 


. Citrondle^  Ala. 

CITUONELLE,  ALA. 

Mat  4 to  9,  18G5. 

XfnionUiH.,  under  General  Canby  and  Rear-Admiral  Thatcher.  LofOien^  none. 
DiaunioniaU^  under  General  Taylor  a^id.  (.'ommodore  Farrand.  Killed  and 
xDoundedy  none;  prieonerSyfrom  9,000  to  It*, 000. 

■WiTii  the  surrender  of  Johnston’s  army  on  tlie  2Gth  of  April,  the 
liopes  of  the  shattered  remnant  of  rebel  troops  under  Dick  Taylor 
•were  effectually  cut  off.  To  protract  the  conflict  in  his  present 
position  would  bo  only  an  act  of  insane  des])eration ; while  to  at- 
tempt escape  across  the  Mississippi  River  and  a junction  with 
Kirby  Smith’s  forces  seemed  not  less  the  resort  of  recklessness  and 
folly.  Accordingly,  negotiations  were  opened  with  General  Dana 
at  Memphis,  in  the  hope  of  arranging  satisfactory  terms  of  capitu- 
lation. 

On  the  20th  of  April  an  armistice  was  agreed  on  between  tho 
respective  leaders,  with  a view  to  a ])ermauent  adjustment,  tho 
truce  Tiot  to  terminate  without  forty-eiglit  hours’  notice.  Nego- 
tiations, in  the  mean  time,  having  been  referred,  on  tlio  Federal 
side,  to  General  Canby,  a meeting  of  commanders  was  appointed 
at  Citronelle,  Alabama,  twenty-five  miles  north  of  Mobile,  on  tho 
4th  of  May.  The  delegation  of  officers  on  the  part  of  the  Union- 
ists consisted  of  Generals  Canby,  Osterhaus,  and  Andrews,  Col- 
onel Christianson,  Cai)tains  Barrett  and  Perkins,  and  (by  invitation 
of  General  Canby)  Rear-Admiral  Thatcher.  On  the  rebel  side,  it 
comprised  General  Taylor  and  staff,  and  a large  concourse  of  other 
officers  in  tho  Confederate  service. 

The  proposed  interview  occurred  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Borden, 
and  was  conducted  in  a courteous  and  amicable  spirit.  After  con- 
siderable discussion  and  consultation,  lasting  till  7.30  p.m.,  condi- 
tions were  agreed  on  analogous  to  those  granted  Johnston.  These 
conditions  were  promptly  r.atificd  by  the  formal  surrender  of  Tay- 
lor’s entire  command.  With  this  surrender,  tho  last  fragment  of 
tho  three  great  I'obel  armies  east  of  tho  Mississippi  was  dispersed, 
and  the  power  of  the  Confederacy,  except  in  tho  remotest  corner 
of  its  dominions,  was  forever  ended. 

On  the  evening  of  the  capitulation  of  General  Taylor,  Acting 
Rear-Admiral  Thatcher  received  a written  communication  from 
Commodore  Farrand,  of  the  Confederate  navy,  proposing  to  sur- 
render to  him  tho  entire  naval  forces,  officers,  men,  and  public 
jn-operty  subject  to  his  command,  and  then  blockaded  by  a por- 
tion of  the  Union  naval  forces  in  tho  Tombigbeo  River.  The 


670 


Irioinsvillc,  Oa. 


terms  were  promptly  arranged  and  a formal  surrender  was  made 
at  Nanna  llHbba  ItlufF,  May  9tb,  to  Commander  Edward  Simpson, 
licet  captuiu  of  the  West  Gulf  Scpiadron.  Twelve  vessels  were 
given  up,  besides  considerable  other  valuable  ])roperty;  and  a 
large  number  of  men  and  officers — including  Commodores  Ear- 
rand  and  Eousseau — meekly  submitted  to  the  national  authority. 


TALLAHASSEE,  FLA. 

May  10,  1805. 

VnionifttSy  undoi*  General  McCoo/c,  of  General  Wilson's  cavalry  corpa,  about  6,000. 
No  loss. 

DisnnionisiSy  ujuier  General  Sam  fonesy  numbering  8,000.  No  hilled  and 

wounded;  about  prisoners. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  General  McCook,  commanding  a division 
of  General  Wilson’s  cavalry  corps,  received  the  surrender  of  the 
rebel  forces  in  Florida,  commanded  by  General  Sarn  Jones.  This 
surrender  was  properly  included  in  that  of  Johnston,  but  General 
Jones  does  not  seem  to  have  recognized  that  surrender.  Tho 
terms  were  the  same  with  those  accorded  to  Johnston.  Included 
in  the  material  surrendered  were : ordnance  stores — 40  pieces  of 
artillery,  25,000  small-arms,  450  sabers,  1,618  bayonets,  1,200  car- 
tridge boxes,  710  waist-belts,  63,000  lbs.  lead,  2,000  lbs.  niter, 
200  sets  accoutrements,  10,000  rounds  fixed  artillery  ammunition, 
121,900  rounds  small  ammunition,  700  lbs.  musket-balls,  325 
pikes  and  lances,  etc.  Quartermaster’s  stores — 70  liorses,  80 
mules,  40  wagons,  4 ambulances,  tools  of  various  kinds,  stationery, 
clotliing,  and  camp  equipage.  Commissary  stores — 170,000  lbs. 
bacon,  300  bbls.  salt,  150  bbls.  sugar,  100  bbls.  syrup,  7,000  bush, 
corn,  1,200  head  of  cattle,  and  quantities  of  flour,  ground  peas, 
hospital  stores,  etc. 


lEWINSVILLE,  GA. 

(CArruiiK  OF  Jkff.  Davis.) 

Ai’Eil  23  TO  May  10,  1865. 

UnionistSy  under  Lieutenant- Colon  els  Pritchard  and  Harden.  I^sseSy  slight. 
NisunionistSy  uiuler  Generals  Wade  Hampton  and  DibbrellyZ^tiQQ.  Killed  and 
woundedy  none ; prisoners  {including  li,igh  civil  oJJicers)y  numbers  not  reported. 

On  the  memorable  morning  of  April  2d,  tlie  President  of  the 
Confederacy,  wliile  attending  church,  received  intelligence  of  Lee’s 
inability  to  longer  hold  the  rebel  capital.  He  at  once  made  hasty 


Irwinsville,  Ga. 


G71 


preparations  for  flight,  and  left  Richmond  on  the  evening  of  tho 
same  day,  directing  his  course  to  Danville,  which  point  was  at- 
tained the  following  morning.  Here  ho  remained  several  days, 
anxiously  awaiting  the  appearance  of  the  rebel  General  Lee, 
and  employing  himself  meantime  in  inditing  a proclamation  in 
which  he  promised  to  continue  the  war,  and  falsely  avowed  tho 
aspect  of  affairs  was  not  discouraging,  and  that  ho  had  no  inten- 
tion of  abandoning  the  Confederate  cause. 

News  of  Leo’s  surrender  reached  him  late  in  the  evening  of 
April  8th,  and  at  daylight  the  following  morning  he  started  by 
private  conveyance  for  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  where  he  remained  for 
some  days,  while  the  propositions  of  Sherman  and  Johnston’s 
memorandum  were  sent  to  'Washington ; it  is  said  he  organized 
there  a detachment  of  about  3,000  cavalry,  under  Generals  Wade 
Ilampton  and  Dibbrcll,  as  an  escort  for  himself,  his  family,  his  staff, 
and  his  treasures  to  tho  coast  of  Florida  or  the  Trans-Mississippi 
Department.  These,  however,  soon  plundered  and  then  deserted 
him.  Mr.  Davis  left  Greensboro  for  Charlotte,  from  which  place 
he  moved  southward  April  23d. 

May  2d,  the  culprit  was  traced  a short  distance  from  Augusta, 
and  three  days  later  at  Powellton.  By  me.ans  of  the  rebel  telegraph 
lines,  the  national  authorities  forwarded  a telegram  to  General 
Wilson  at  Macon,  Ga.,  accusing  Davis  of  complicity  in  the  assas- 
sination of  President  Lincoln,  and  offering  a reward  for  his  arrest. 
Wilson  at  once  posted  placards  throughout  the  country,  describing 
the  personal  appearance  of  Davis,  and  dispatched  his  cavalry  force 
in  pursuit  of  him. 

A vigilant  watch  and  a hard  tramp  resulted  in  hunting  him 
down  at  Irwinsville.  There,  at  daylight  on  the  10th,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Pritchard,  commanding  the  Fourth  Michigan  Cavalry,  of 
tho  second  division  of  Wilson’s  cavalry  corps,  surprised  and  captured 
Jeff.  Davis,  his  wife,  sisters,  and  brother ; his  postmaster-general, 
Reagan;  his  private  secretary,  Colonel  Harrison;  Colonel  .John- 
son, aid-de-camp  on  Davis’  staff;  Colonels  Morris  and  Lubbock  ; 
Lieutenant  Hathaway,  and  others  ; also  a train  of  five  wagons  and 
three  ambulances.  The  honor  and  reward  of  this  successful 
achievement  narrowly  escaped  falling  to  another  battalion — TJeu- 
tenant-Colonel  Harden,  First  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  of  Lagrange’s 
brigade,  first  division  of  Wilson’s  corps.  This  division  had  been 
distributed  along  the  south  bank  of  the  Ocmulgee  and  Altamaha. 
Harden’s  command  struck  the  trail  of  Davis  at  Dublin,  Lawrence 


672 


Irwinsville,  Ga. 


County,  on  tlio  evening  of  the  7th,  and  followed  him  closely  day 
and  night  through  the  pine  wilderness  of  Alligator  Creek  and 
Green  Swamp  via  Cumhcrlandsville  to  Irwinsvillo.  At  Cuinbcr- 
laudsville,  Colonel  llardeii  met  Colonel  rritchard  with  150  picked 
men  and  horses.  Harden  followed  the  trail  directly  south,  while 
Pritchard  pushed  down  to  the  Ocmulgee  toward  Hopewell,  and 
thence  to  Irwinsville,  arriving  there  at  midnight  of  the  9th.  Col- 
onel Pritchard,  learning  that  Davis  was  encamped  two  miles  out 
of  town,  made  dispositions  of  his  men,  and  surrounded  the  camp 
before  dawn.  Harden  had  encamped  nt  nine  o’clock  within  two 
miles,  as  ho  afterward  ascertained,  of  the  rebel  President.  The 
trail  being  too  indistinct  to  follow,  ho  pushed  on  at  4 a.m.,  and  had 
advanced  scarcely  a mile  when  his  skirmishers  were  fired  upon  by 
the  Fourth  Michigan.  A conflict  ensued,  and  fifteen  minutes 
elapsed  before  the  mistake  was  discovered.  The  firing  in  this  skir- 
mish was  the  first  warning  Davis  received.  His  immediate  captors 
reported  that  in  a loose  dressing-gown,  over  which  he  had  thrown 
his  wife’s  water-proof  cloak,  and  with  a shawl  over  his  head  and 
a bucket  on  Ids  arm,  he  was  brought  by  his  wife  to  the  door  of  the 
tent,  and  Jfrs.  Davis  requested  the  guard  to  “allow  her  poor  old 
mother  to  go  to  the  spring  and  get  some  water;”  the  guard,  how- 
ever, having  caught  a glimpse  of  his  loots,  instantly  suspected  his 
sex,  and  arrested  him,  though  not  without  some 'resistance  on  his 
j)art.  He  brandished  a bowie-knife  of  elegant  pattern,  and  showed 
signs  of  battle,  but  yielded  proin[)tly  when  revolvers  were  pre- 
sented. 

General  "Wilson,  in  his  dispatch,  stated  that  Davis  “ expressed 
great  indignation  at  the  energy  with  which  he  was  pursued;  and 
said  he  ‘ had  believed  our  Government  was  too  magnanimous  to 
hunt  down  women  and  children.’  ” Mrs.  Davis,  never  losing 
faith  in  the  prowess  of  her  lord,  remarked  to  Colonel  Harden, 
after  the  excitement  had  subsided,  that  the  men  had  better  not 
provoke  the  President,  or  “ ho  might  hurt  some  of  ’em.” 

The  captive  was  brought  under  strong  guard  to  Macon,  and 
thence  to  Hilton  Head,  where  he  was  put  on  board  a Government 
steamer,  and  on  arriving  at  Hampton  Hoads,  transferred  to  a 
strong  casemate  in  Fortress  Monroe,  where,  though  strictly  guard- 
ed, he  is  treated  with  a humanity  which  affords  a giarked  contrast 
to  the  cruelties,  inflicted  by  his  sanction  upon  the  Union  soldiers, 
officers,  and  civilians  who  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  imprisoned 
under  his  sway. 


Texas. 


G73 


TEXAS. 

Mat  11  TO  26,  1S65. 

1,  Action  of  Palmetto  Kancii,  Mat  12. 

VnionUts^  under  Colonel  Barretty  about  400.  LosSy  72  killed^  wounded^  and 
prisoners. 

J)ieunioniet(iy  under  General  SlaughieVy  about  500.  Los^y  trijling. 

2.  SiruuRNPKU  OF  Kuuiy  Smith’s  Armt. 

UnioviRtfiy  niuler  General  K.  Tt.  B CnnJajy  immbering  about  80,000.  Ko  loru^. 
l)isunh>mfi*Sy  under  General  S.  B.  Buckner^  about  20,000.  Ko  killed  or  uutund-^ 
ed  ; about  20,000  prisoners. 

On  the  11th, ol’  May,  Colonel  Barrett  conducted  a body  of 
troops,  about  400  strong,  from  Brazos  to  seize  a rebel  camp,  with 
its  horses  and  cattle,  fifreen  miles  above  on  the  Brownsville  Road, 
at  Palmetto  Ranch.  The  next  morning  the  camp  was  reached, 
captured,  and  burned,  and  some  horses  and  guns  carried  off  with- 
out trouble.  But  del.ays  had  made  the  expedition  so  late,  that 
before  the  number  of  horses  expected  had  been  secured,  a rebel 
cavalry  force,  about  500  strong,  under  command  of  General  J.  E. 
Slaughter,  supported  by  three  field-pieces,  overtook  Colonel  Bar- 
rett’s command,  and  a slow,  running  fight  ensued,  in  which  about 
15  were  killed  and  wounded  and  57  made  prisoners,  including 
Captain  Temple  and  Lieutenant  Sedwick  of  the  Thirty-fourth  In- 
diana. The  fight  was  continued  to  within  one  mile  of  Brazos. 
This  fight  was  of  some  importance,  as  being  the  last  action  of  the 
war. 

On  the  10th  of  Ma}',  Captain  M.ayberry,  commanding  all  the 
irregular  bands  of  rebels  in  Arkansas  and  Monroe  counties.  Ark., 
came  into  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  and  surrendered.  On  tbe  24th,  Cap- 
tain Rayburn,  who  commanded  a similar  force  in  -Jackson,  Prairie, 
and  White  counties,  Ark.,  also  surrendered  at  Duvall’s  Bluff. 
The  forces  under  the  command  of  these  two  were  .all  the  rebel 
troops  under  arms  in  Arkansas.  After  the  full  of  Richmond  and 
the  surrender  of  General  Lee,  the  rebel  commander  of  the  Trans- 
Mississippi  Dep.artment,  General  E.  Kirby  Smith,  issued  a procla- 
mation under  date  of  April  21,  18G5,  breathing  defiance  to  the 
United  States,  and  insisting  on  the  ability  of  his  army  to  m.aintain 
the  rebellion.  Be  had  at  this  time  a force  of  prob.ably  not  far 
from  60,000  men  under  his  command,  though  pretty  widely  scat- 
tci  ed  (the  rebels  stated  tbeir  force  at  80,000).  "When  intelligem^ 
came  of  the  surrender  of  Johnston  and  Dick  Taylor,  and  of  the 
urgent  and  relentless  pursuit  of  Davis,  General  Smith’s  vie^vs 


674 


Texas. 


began  to  undergo  a cliangc,  and  lie  discnssod  the  propriety  of  a sur- 
render witli  liis  officers.  A portion  of  liis  army,  consisting  mostly 
of  ^lissonrians,  most  of  wliorn  had  joined  the  rebels  early  in  the 
war,  determined  not  to  be  included  in  the  surrender.  Their  ma- 
rauding raids  upon  the  Union  men  in  their  own  State  were  too 
well  known  to  leave  them  any  hope  of  life  or  property  if  they  re- 
turned to  Missouri,  and  they  accordingly  desei-ted  in  a body. 

On  General  Smith’s  return  to  Houston  from  western  Texas 
about  the  20th  of  lilay,  ho  found  that  a largo  number  of  his  Texan 
troops  had  deserted  and  gone  to  tlieir  homos ; that  lie  was  as  ho 
himself  said,  “a  general  without  an  army.”  He  therefore  made 
all  possible  haste  to  surrender  what  was  left,  and  as  Afajor-General 
Canby  had  no  considerable  force  at  that  time  in  Texas,  he  sent 
Lieut.-General  Buckner,  Brig.-General  Brent,  and  Capt.  Carter  of 
the  rebel  navy,  to  New  Orleans  to  arrange  terms  for  surrender  of 
all  the  rebel  army  and  navy  forces  in  the  Trans-Mississippi  Depart- 
ment. The  terms,  which  were  substantially  the  same  as  in  the 
case  of  Lee,  Johnston,  and  Taylor,  were  agreed  upon  and  signed  on 
the  2Gth  of  May,  at  New  Orleans,  by  Buckner,  Brent,  and  Carter, 
and  subsequently,  at  Galveston,  by  Generals  E.  Kirby  Smith  and 
J.  B.  Magruder.  No  official  statement  of  the  men  or  material  in- 
cluded in  this  surrender  has  yet  been  published,  but  it  is  known 
that  the  prisoners  parolled  by  it  did  not  exceed  twenty  thousand, 
but  that  con.siderable  quantities  of  cannon,  small-arms,  munitions 
of  war,  and  quartermaster’s  and  commissary  stores  were  given  up. 
The  rebel  soldiers  who  had  deserted  plundered  extensively  in 
Houston,  and  other  towns  in  Texas.  On  the  25th  of  May,  Rear- 
Admiral  Thatcher  took  possession  of  the  two  strong  forts  Manna- 
hasset  and  Griffin,  the  defenses  of  Sabine  Pass.  There  was  left  by 
the  surrender  of  Kirby  Smith’s  array  no  organized  rebel  military 
force  in  existence  in  the  country,  and  Captain  Carter’s  surrender 
of  the  rebel  navy  in  Texas  left  only  the  rebel  ram  “Missouri’’  on 
the  Red  River,  which  was  surrendered  a day  or  two  later;  tho 
“Stonewall,”  a French  built  iron  clad,  given  up  to  tho  Spanish 
authorities  early  in  Juno,  and  by  them  lutnded  over  to  tho  United 
States  in  July  ; and  the  English  built  and  manned  privateer  Shen- 
andoah, which  continued  her  piracies  on  the  northwest  coast  for 
some  time  longer. 


BIOGRAPHICAL’  SKETCHES. 


AnRAHAM  Lincoln,  sixteenth  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  filling  that  office  for  the  second  term, 
was  born  in  Hardin  County,  Ky.,  Feb.  12,  1809.  His  ancestors 
were  Quakers.  In  1816  liis  father  removed  to  Spencer  County, 
Ind.,  and  Abraham  was  thus  early  put  to  work  with  an  axe  to 
clear  away  the  forest.  In  the  next  ten  years  he  received  about 
one  year’s  schooling  in  such  schools  as  were  taught  in  that  now 
country.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  made  a trip  to  New  Or- 
leans as  a hired  hand  on  a flat-boat.  In  March,  1830,  he  removed 
with  his  father  to  Decatur,  111.,  and  aided  in  building  a cabin, 
settling  the  family  in  their  new  home,  and  providing  for  them  the 
ensuing  winter.  In  1831  he  again  made  a trip  to  New  Orleans, 
and  on  his  return  became  a clerk  in  a store  at  Sangamon,  111.  In 
1832  he  volunteered  in  the  Black  Hawk  War,  and  was  made  cap- 
tain of  a company,  but  saw  no  fighting.  On  his  return  from  the 
campaign  he  was  a candidate  for  the  Legislature,  but  was  nnsuc- 
cessfitl.  A store  which  he  purchased  did  not  prosper  ; and  after  a 
short  term  of  service  as  postmaster  at  New  Salem,  111.,  studying  at 
every  leisure  moment,  ho  became  a surveyor,  and  won  a good  rep- 
utation for  the  accuracy  of  his  surveys.  In  1834  he  was  elected 
to  the  Legislature,  and  re-elected  in  1836  and  1838.  Having  de- 
voted alt  his  leisure  time  to  the  study  of  law,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1836,  and  in  1837  removed  to  Springfield,  111.,  and 
opened  an  office  in  partnership  with  Hon.  John  F.  Stuart.  He 
soon  rose  to  eminence  in  his  profession,  but  did  not  withdraw  from 
politics.  In  1844  he  was  nominated  as  a Whig  Presidential  elec- 
tor, and  canvassed  the  State  for  Mr.  Clay.  In  1846  he  was  elected 
to  Congress  from  the  central  district  of  Illinois,  and  in  Congress 
maintained  the  reputation  of  qn  honest  and  able  representative, 
acting  generally  with  the  more  advanced  wing  of  the  Whig  party. 
In  1849  he  was  a candid.ate  for  U.  S.  senator,  but  the  Legislature 
was  Democratic,  and  elected  General  Shields.  In  1854  the  passage 
of  the  Nebraska  Bill  and  the  repe.al  of  the  Missouri  Compromise 
called  him  again  into  the  field,  and  by  his  disinterested  Labors 
Judge  Trumbull  was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate.  In  1856,  at  the 

34 


C76  Hiographical  Sketches, 

Republican  National  Convention,  he  was  urged  for  the  Vice-Pres- 
idency, and  received  110  votes.  In  1858  ho  was  nominated  for 
U.  S.  senator  by  the  Republicans,  and  in  company  with  Judge 
Douglas,  the  Democratic  candidate,  canvassed  the  State,  discuss- 
ing with  his  antagonist  the  great  principles  which  distinguished 
the  two  parties.  Lincoln  had  a majority  of  the  popular  vote,  but 
Douglas  was  elected  by  the  Legislature  by  eight  majority.  On 
the  18th  of  May,  1800,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  nominated  by  the  Repub- 
lican National  Convention  at  Chicago  for  the  Presidency,  and  on 
the  6th  of  February  following  was  elected,  receiving  180  out  of  303 
electoral  votes.  It  was  the  policy  of  those  who  were  conspiring 
against  the  Union  to  divide  the  opponents  of  Mr.  Lincoln  as  far  as 
possible,  in  order  that  he  might  succeed  by  the  votes  of  Northern 
States  alone,  and  thus  afford  a pretext  for  secession,  and  therefore 
three  other  distinct  Presidential  tickets  were  run,  headed  respec- 
tively by  Messrs.  Breckinridge,  Douglas,  and  Bell.  As  soon  as  his 
election  was  known,  measures  were  taken  by  political  leaders  in 
several  of  the  Southern  States  to  drag  their  States  into  secession, 
and  when  Mr.  Lincoln  left  Springfield,  Ilk,  on  the  11th  of  February 
to  go  to  Washington  for  his  inauguration,  six  States  had  already 
seceded,  and  others  were  preparing  to  follow.  A Southern  con- 
federacy had  been  formed,  with  Davis  and  Stephens  for  President 
and  Vice-President.  Notwithstanding  three  or  more  attempts  to 
assassinate  him,  he  reached  Washington  in  safety,  and  though  still 
threatened,  was  inaugurated  March  4,  1861.  The  condition  of  the 
Government,  through  the  imbecility,  fraud,  and  treason  of  the 
preceding  administration  and  cabinet,  was  deplorable — its  credit 
nearly  ruined ; its  army  deprived  of  arms  and  parollcd ; its  navy 
sent  to  distant  seas ; its  arms  removed  to  the  arsenals  of  the  States 
in  insurrection,  or  sold  and  broken  up ; its  forts,  vessels,  custom- 
houses, and  mints  seized  by  the  conspirators.  Mr.  Lincoln  set 
himself  to  remedy  this,  when  on  the  14th  of  April,  1861,  Fort 
Sumter  was  captured,  and  the  war  commenced.  He  then  called 
for  76,000  men  for  three  months,  proclaimed  a blockade  of  the 
Southern  ports,  and  summoned  an  extra  session  of  Congress  for 
July  4,  1861.  Large  armies  were  soon  required,  and  in  the  ex- 
ecutive responsibilities  of  his  position  in  a time  of  war — with  a 
great  army  to  be  maintained,  disciplined,  and  kept  at  work,  finances 
to  be  managed,  the  disloyal  government  officers,  civil  and  military, 
to  be  weeded  out,  the  schemes  of  secessionists  to  be  thwarted,  and 
later  in  the  year,  the  difficult  case  of  the  seizure  of  Mason  and  Sli- 


Abraham  Lincoln, 


6V7 


'Jell  to  bo  Ji(1justed-“-lio  liad  liis  full  share  of  the  burdens  of  his  offi- 
cial position.  During  1862  these  were  rather  intyeased  than 
diminished.  Compelled  by  his  convictions  of  duty  to  assume  in 
fact  his  titular  position  of  cotnmander-in-chief  of  the  army  and 
navy,  ho  ordered  an  advance  in  February,  1862,  which  was  made 
in  Jfarch.  The  indecisive  or  disastrous  battles  of  the  Peninsula 
and  Pope’s  campaign  caused  him  great  anxiety,  and  the  conviction 
having  been  forced  upon  him  by  the  course  of  events  that  the 
slaves  in  the  rebel  States  must  bo  emancipated  as  a military  neces- 
sity, be  issued  on  the  22d  of  September,  soon  after  the  more  favor- 
able battles  of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  his  preliminary 
proclamation,  announcing  his  intention  of  declaring  free  all  slaves 
in  rebel  States  on  the  1st  of  January,  1863.  Several  successes  in 
the  AYest  had  cheered  him,  and  in  1863,  with  some  disasters,  there 
were  many  and  important  victories  East  and  TYest.  Mr.  Lincoln 
had  been  very  desirous  that  the  border  States  should  adopt  eomo 
plan  of  more  or  less  gradual  emancipation,  and  during  the  year 
West  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Missouri  did  so.  In  1864,  having 
called  General  Grant  to  the  lieutenant-generalship,  Mr.  Lincoln 
divided  with  him  a part  of  his  burdens,  which  had  become  too  op- 
pressive to  bo  borne.  A great  outcry  had  been  made  against  him 
for  the  arrest  of  Vallandigbarn  and  other  promoters  of  rebellion, 
but  in  two  very  able  letters  addressed  to  the  New  York  and  Ohio 
committees,  he  fully  justified  his  course.  The  victories  of  Sher- 
man, Thomas,  Farragut,  Terry,  and  Sheridan,  and  the  persistency 
and  resolution  of  Grant  had  at  length,  in  the  spring  of  1865,  pre- 
pared the  way  for  the  downfall  of  the  rebellion,  and  after  a brief 
but  desperate  struggle,  Petersburg  and  Richmond  fell,  and  Lee 
surrendered  his  army.  In  the  progress  of  these  events,  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, whose  anxiety  had  been  most  insupportable,  was  at  the  front, 
and  the  day  after  the  occupation  of  Richmond  by  the  Union  troop? 
he  entered  that  city,  not  with  the  pomp  of  a conqueror,  but  quietly 
and  without  display,  and  after  spending  one  day  there  returned  to 
City  Point  and  thence  to  AYashington.  The  war  was  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  closed,  and  with  his  mind  intent  on  the  great  prob- 
lem of  pacification,  his  brow  cleared,  and  ho  appeared  in  better 
spirits  than  usual.  This  was  the  time  seized  upon  by  the  conspira- 
tors for  his  assassination,  and  on  the  15th  of  April,  just  four  years 
from  the  date  of  his  proclamation  calling  the  people  to  arms,  ho 
died  by  the  hand  of  a wretched  murderer.  The  circumstances  of 
his  assassination,  and  the  distress  and  sorrow  of  the  nation  at  his 


678 


Hiographical  Sketches. 


loss,  are  elsewhere  (p.  619)  described.  He  was  a man  of  thorough 
integrity  and  uprightness — conscientious,  candid,  amiable,  and  for- 
giving; slow  in  arriving  at  conclusions,  but  firm  in  maintaining 
them;  of  sound  judgment  and  good  executive  abilities,  and  pos- 
sessing a rare  power  of  natural  logic,  whicli  was  the  more  con- 
vincing from  its  singularity.  Though  sprung  from  the  common 
people,  and  never  ashamed  of  the  class,  he  possessed  a native  po- 
liteness and  grace  of  manner  which  caused  Edward  Everett,  him- 
self one  of  the  most  refined  and  elegant  gentlemen  of  our  time,  to 
say  that  in  his  personal  bearing  and  manner  Mr.  Lincoln  was  the 
peer  of  any  gentleman  of  America  or  Europe.  ^ 

ULVesES  Simpson  Grant,  Lieutenant-General  U.  S.  A.,  was  bom 
at  Point  Pleasant,  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  April  27th,  1822.  After 
a fair  preliminary  education,  ho  entered  West  Point  in  1839,  and 
graduated  in  1843,  ranking  twenty-first  in  a class  of  thirty.  Bre- 
vetted  second  lieutenant  Fourth  Infantry,  he  served  first  at  Jeffer- 
son Barracks,  near  St.  Louis ; next  on  the  Red  River,  in  La. ; in 
1845  made  full  second  lieutenant  in  his  regiment,  and  in  184G, 
under  General  Taylor,  moved  forward  to  the  border,  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  in  the  storming  of  Mon- 
terey, and  the  capture  of  Vera  Cruz ; appointed  quartermaster 
of  his  regiment ; took  part  in  the  assault  of  Molino  del  Rey  and  the 
storming  of  Chapultepec,  and  was  made  first  lieutenant  on  the 
spot,  and  subsequently  brevetted  captain.  In  August,  1848,  mar- 
ried Miss  Dent,  of  St.  Louis,  and  ordered  successively  to  Detroit, 
Sackett’s  Harbor,  and  Fort  Dallas,  Oregon.  Promoted  to  full  cap- 
taincy in  August,  1853;  resigned  his  commission  July  31, 1854.  lie 
engaged  in  various  occupations,  but  with  no  great  success,  as 
farmer,  collector,  auctioneer,  and  leather-dealer.  On  the  opening 
of  the  war  he  raised  a company  and  marched  with  it  to  Spring- 
field,  111.,  from  Galena,  his  then  residence.  Other  men  of  more 
imposing  appearance  obtained  commissions,  but  Captain  Grant  re- 
ceived none.  Soon  after,  however.  Governor  Yates  made  him 
adjutant-general,  and  in  Juno  commissioned  liirn  as  colonel  of  the 
Twenty-first  Illinois  Volunteers.  His  regiment  was  employed 
in  guarding  the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  Railroad.  Here  ho  was 
soon  made  acting  brigadier- general,  and  on  the  9th  of  August  com- 
missioned as  brigadier-general,  and  ordered  to  southern  Missouri  to 
oppose  Jeff.  Thompson.  He  next  took  command  of  the  district  of 
Cairo,  occupied  Paducah  and  Smithland,  Ky.,  and  sent  an  expedi- 


Ulysses  Simpson  Grant.  679 

tion  in  pursuit  of  Jeff.  Thompson.  On  Korember  7th  fought  the 
battle  of  Belmont.  Earlj  in  January  made  a reconnoissance  in 
force  into  Kentucky  to  learn  the  position  of  the  enemy,  and  in  the 
beginning  of  February  moved  on  Fort  Ilenry,  Tenn.,  which,  how- 
ever, Flag-Officer  Foote  captured  before  ho  reached  it.  He  then 
besieged  Fort  Douelson,  on  the  Cumberland,  and  after  four  days  re- 
ceived, Feb.  IG,  1862,  its  unconditional  surrender.  Promoted  to  a 
major-generalship  Feb.  IG,  18G2.  Movingfc'outhward  through  Nash- 
ville, Franklin,  Columbia,  etc.,  he  reached  Pittsburg  Landing  and 
Savannah,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  the  latter  part  of  March  ; fought 
the  severe  battle  of  Shiloh  or  Pittsburg  Landing  April  G and  7 ; un- 
der command  of  General  Ilalleck,  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth. 
After  its  evacuation,  put  in  command  of  the  Department  of  West  . 
Tennessee;  broke  up  the  illicit  traffic  at  Memphis;  commanded 
in  the  battles  of  luka  and  Corinth,  September  and  October,  18G2; 
moved  southward  to  attack  Vicksburg  in  rear,  in  December,  1862, 
but  w'as  recalled  by  the  capture  of  Holly  Springs,  his  depot  of 
supplies.  ^ Returned  northward,  and  bringing  his  army  to  Young’s 
Point,  sought  the  reduction  of  Vicksburg  by  various  measures. 
Finally  marching  his  force  down  the  west  side  of  the  river,  crossed 
at  Bruinsburg;  fought  in  the  first  seventeen  days  of  May  the  bat- 
tles of  Port  Gibson,  Fourteen  Mile  Run,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Cham- 
pion’s Hill,  and  Black  River  Bridge ; besieged  Vicksburg  for  seven 
weeks,  when  it  surrendered — by  far  the  richest  prize  of  the  war 
thus  far;  defeating  and  routing  Johnston  at  .Jackson  with  Sher- 
man’s troop.s,  he  next  visited  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  seriously 
injured  by  being  thrown  from  his  horse.  Appointed  in  October, 

1863,  to  the  command  of  the  Western  Grand  Military  Division,  ho 
liastened  to  Chattanooga,  where,  by  the  magnificent  battles  of 
Chattanooga,  ho  surpassed  his  previous  reputation.  He  also  raised 
the  siege  of  Knoxville.  Appointed  lieutenant-general  in  March, 

1864,  ho  reorganized  the  Eastern  armies,  and  in  May,  1864,  com- 
menced his  great  campaign,  and  fought  within  the  next  six  weeks 
the  terrible  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House, 
the  North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor,  Mechanicsville,  Chickahoininy,  and 
Petersburg.  Later  in  the  season,  the  disastrous  battle  of  the  Peters- 
burg Mine,  the  battles  of  Deep  Bottom  and  Chaffin’s  Farm,  several 
attempts  to  gain  possession  of  the  South  Side  Railroad,  occasioning 
battles  southwest  of  Petersburg,  the  battles  of  Hatcher’s  Run,  in 
October,  1864,  and  February,  1865.  The  repulse  of  the  attack  on 
Fort  Stedman,  and  the  final  movement  by  which  Five  Forks  was 


C80 


HiograpJiical  Sketches, 

taken,  and  the  strong  works  before  Petersburg  carried,  Eiclimond 
and  Petersburg  captured,  tlie  retreating  rebel  army  pursued,  fought 
at  Deatonville,  Fannville,  and  Appomattox  Station,  and  finally 
compelled  to  surrender,  demonstrated  liis  ability  and  persistence. 
At  the  same  time,  ho  had  directed  in  general  the  movements  of 
Sherman,  Sheridan,  and  Thomas,  and  in  particular  the  expeditions 
for  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher  and  the  reduction  of  Wilmington. 
IIo  also  dictated  the  ter^s  of  the  subsetjuent  surrender,  and  the 
reorganization  of  the  greatly  reduced  army, 

William  Tecumsku  Siieumak,  Major-General  U.  S.  A.,  ■^as  born 
in  Lancaster,  Ohio,  February  8,  1820.  After  a good  preliminary 
education  ho  entered  West  Point  in  1836,  and  graduated  in  1840, 
sixth  in  his  class.  Appointed  immediately  second  lieutenant  Third 
Artillery,  and  served  successively  in  Florida  (whore,  in  1841,  ho 
was  promoted  to  bo  first  lieutenant).  Fort  Moultrie  (1841-6),  in 
California  (1846-50),  where  ho  was  made  assistant  adjutant-gen- 
eral, brovotted  captain,  and  in  I860  promoted  to  a captaincy,  and 
in  1850  ordered  to  St.  Louis.  In  1851  ho  was  stationed  at  New 
Orleans.  In  1853  he  resigned  his  commission,  removed  to  San 
Francisco,  and  was  for  four  years  manager  of  Lucas,  Turner  & Co.’s 
banking-house.  In  1857  ho  was  ofifered  the  presidency  of  a State 
military  academy  in  Louisiana,  and  accepted,  but  resigned  in  Jan- 
uary, 1801,  because  the  academy  was  used  to  train  rebel  officers, 
and  removed  to  St.  Louis,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  war  olfered 
his  services  to  the  Government.  lie  was  appointed.  May  14, 1861, 
colonel  of  the  Thirteenth  Infantry  U.  S.  A.,  and  commanded  the  third 
brigade  in  the  first  (Tyler’s)  division  at  Pull  Run,  where  neither  ho 
nor  his  men  ran,  but  rendered  efficient  service.  He  was  made  briga- 
dier-general of  volunteers  Aug.  3,  1801 — reported  at  first  to  Gen- 
eral Anderson,  and  on  General  A.’s  resigning  (Oct.  8),  was  made 
commander  of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio.  Here  he  was  greatly 
embarrassed  by  the  utter  insufficiency  of  the  force  allowed  him  to 
meet  the  rebels,  who  greatly  outnumbered  his  forces.  Finding 
remonstrances  useless,  ho  asked  to  be  relieved,  and  was  shelved  by 
being  put  in  command  of  Benton  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis.  Gen. 
Ilalleck  found  him  here,  and  presently  put  him  in  command  of  the 
fifth  division  of  Grant’s  army.  At  Shiloh,  General  Grant  testifies 
that  ho  saved  the  army  and  the  day.  lie  was  in  the  advance  in 
the  pursuit  and  siege  of  Corinth,  and  was  made  major-general  of 
volunteers  from  May  1, 1862.  Juno  20,  he  captured  Holly  Springs, 


'William  Tecumseh  Sherman.  681 

Miss.  In  June  he  was  put  in  command  of  the  district  of  Memphis, 
and  suppressed  the  contraband  trade  and  the  guerrillas  there.  In 
December  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  fifteenth 
array  corps,  and  sent  to  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Vicksburg,  where, 
owing  to  Grant’s  inability  to  co-operate,  in  consequence  of  the 
capture  of  Holly  Springs  by  the  rebels,  he  was  repulsed  with  con- 
siderable loss.  lie  then  proceeded  with  his  command  and  General 
McClernand,  who  ranked  him,  to  Arkansas  Post,  which  was  cap- 
tured early  in  January,  1863. 

In  Grant’s  subsequent  campaign  against  Vicksburg,  Sherman 
was  his  ablest  lieutenant.  He  saved  the  gun-boats  from  destruc- 
tion on  the  Sunflower  Elver;  made  so  formidable  a demonstration 
against  Haines’  Bluff,  when  Grant  was  at  Bruinsburg,  as  to  com- 
pletely deceive  the  rebels  and  draw' them  away  from  his  route; 
fought  bravely  at  Fourteen  Mile  Creek  and  Jackson,  destroyed 
rebel  property  there,  and  thence  moved  rapidly  toward  Vicksburg; 
captured  the  rebel  batteries  on  Haines,  Walnut,  Snyder,  and  Chick- 
asaw Bluffs,  and  then  opened  communication  with  the  Union  fleet 
above  Vicksburg.  He  assaulted  the  city  on  the  19th  and  22d  of 
May,  and  gained  some  ground,  though  he  did  not  enter  the  city. 
Immediately  after  the  surrender  in  July,  he  was  sent  in  pursuit  of 
Johnston,  whom  he  drove  back  through  and  out  of  Jackson  with 
heavy  loss.  After  a short  period  of  rest,  he  was  called  to  rein- 
force the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  at  Chattanooga,  and  while  on 
his  way  was  put  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
General  Grant,  who  had  formerly  commanded  it,  being  promoted 
to  the  command  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi.  Ar- 
riving at  Chattanooga,  he  was  at  once  ordered  to  move  to  the 
attack  of  the  rebels  at  the  northern  extremity  of  Mission  Ridge. 
He  crossed  the  Tennessee,  and  by  his  persistent  demonstrations  on 
Fort  Buckner,  compelled  the  rebels  to  withdraw  their  troops  from 
Fort  Bragg  to  oppose  him,  and  then  that  fort  fell  a prey  to  the 
assault  of  the  fourth  corps.  This  battle  over,  he  was  immediately 
sent  by  General  Grant  to  raise  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  which  he 
accomplished  by  an  extraordinary  forced  march.  After  a brief  pe- 
riod of  rest,,  early  in  February  General  Sherman  was  at  Vicksburg, 
at  the  head  of  20,000  troops,  marching  into  the  heart  of  Mississippi 
and  Alabama.  On  his  return.  Grant  was  lieutenant-general,  and 
Sherman  again  succeeded  him  in  the  command  of  the  Militaiy 
Division  of  the  Mississippi.  Gathering  his  troops,  he  moved  from 
Chattanooga  May  7,  1864,  for  Atlanta,  capturing  in  the  campaign 


682 


H iograph ical  Sketches, 


Dalton,  itesaca,  Kingston,  Rome,  Dallas,  Allatoona  Pass,  Marietta, 
Sandtown,  and  Decatur,  besides  many  places  of  less  note,  and 
figliting  the  severe  battles  of  Rocky-Faced.  Ridge,  Resaca,  New 
Hope  Church,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Little  Ketiesaw,  the 
three  battles  before  Atlanta,  and  the  battles  at  Jonesboro.  lie 
entered  Atlanta  September  1,  removed  the  civilians  from  it,  gath- 
ered stores  there ; and  Hood,  the  rebel  general,  attempting  to  cut 
his  communications,  he  followed  him  northward,  fought  him  at 
Allatoona  Pass,  drove  him  westward  to  Gaylesville,  Ala.,  and  in- 
trusted the  task  of  taking  care  of  him  to  General  Thomas  wliilo 
he  returned  to  Atlanta ; voluntarily  severed  all  communication 
with  Chattanooga,  destroyed  the  public  buildings  of  Atlanta,  and 
with  a force  of  00,000  men  commenced  his  march  toward  Savan- 
nah; sweeping  through  a broad  tract,  ho  arrived  at  Savannah  with 
very  slight  loss,  capturing  Fort  McAllister  by  assault,  and  com- 
pelling Hardee  to  evacuate  tlio  city.  He  remained  there  a month, 
recruiting  and  setting  matters  in  order,  and  with  a force  of  nearly 
80,000  men'  moved  nortliward  toward  Goldsboro,  N.  G.  On  his 
route  ho  captured  Orangeburg,  Columbia,  and  Winnsboro,  S.  0. ; 
compelled  the  rebels  to  evacuate  Charleston  ; took  Cheraw  and 
Fayetteville,  and  entered  Goldsboro  on  the  24th  of  March,  having 
fought  two  battles,  at  Averysboro  and  Bentonville,  the  latter,  one 
of  considerable  severity.  Remaining  seventeen  days  at  Goldsboro 
to  reclothe  and  refit  his  array,  ho  moved,  April  10th,  on  Smithfield, 
and  thence  to  Raleigh,  and  westward.  Receiving  overtures  for 
surrender  from  Johnston,  ho  made  a memorandum  of  an  agree- 
ment with  him,  which  being  unsatisfactory  to  the  Government 
was  annulled,  and  on  the  26th  of  April,  Johnston  surrendered  on 
the  same  terms  on  which  Lee  had  done.  The  war  ended,  General 
Sherman  was  put  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  five  great  military  di- 
visions, that  of  the  Mississip[)i,  embracing  the  northwestern  States 
and  Territories,  Missouri,  and  Arkansas. 

PniLip  Henry  Sheridan,  Major-General  H.  S.  A.,  was  born  in 
Perry  Co.,  Oliio,  in  1831.  He  had  tlie  advantage  of  a good  com- 
mon school  education,  and  was  appointed  to  a cadetship  in  West 
Point  in  1848,  and  graduated  in  1853,  very  low  in  his  class,  his 
belligerent  disposition  reducing  his  standing  in  his  studies,  which 
was  otherwise  above  mediocrity.  Ho  was  attached  to  the  First 
U.  S.  Infantry,  as  brevet  second  lieutenant,  and  ordered  to  Fort 
Duncan,  Tezas.  In  the  spring  of  1855  ho  was  exchanged  into  the 


Philip  Henry  Sheridan. 


.683 


Fourth  Infantry  as  full  second  lieutenant,  and  ordered  to  San 
Francisco,  via  New  York.  In  the  latter  city,  he  was  for  two 
months  in  commdud  of  Fort  Wood.  For  six  years  ho  remained 
on  the  Pacific  coast,  and  among  the  Indian  tribes,  whose  confi- 
dence he  had  won,  and  whom  ho  could  manage  better  than  any 
other  army  oflBcer.  Ho  was  promoted  to  a first  lieutenancy  in  the 
winter  of  1801,  and  when  the  war  broke  out,  to  a ca[)taincy  in 
the  Thirteenth  Infantry  U.  S.  A.,  and  ordered  to  join  his  regiment 
at  Jefferson  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis.  Ho  was  first  made  acting 
chief  quartermaster  under  General  Curtis,  but  succeeded  indiffer- 
ently. During  the  Pea  Ridge  campaign,  he  was  ordered  by  Gen- 
eral Blunt  to  impress  a large  amount  of  provender  from  the  citizens 
of  Arkansas,  and  refusing,  was  put  under  arrest,  and  ordered  to 
report  to  General  Ilalleck,  wI\o  relieved  him  from  arrest,  made 
him  his  own  chief  quartermaster,  and  presently  allowed  him  to 
accept  a commission  of  colonel  of  a Michigan  cavalry  regiment. 
On  the  14lh  of  July,  1862,  with  his  regiment,  ho  fouglit  and  de- 
feated a rebel  brigade  of  cavalry,  and  for  this  was  made  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers,  his  commission  dating  from  July  1,  1862;  but 
his  command  was  infantry,  not  cavalry,  to  which  he  was  best 
adapted.  Not  to  speak  of  some  minor  engagements,  in  which 
Sheridan  acquitted  himself  well,  ho  held  the  key  of  tlio-Union  po- 
sition at  Perry  ville,  Oct.  8th,  and  saved  the  Union  army  from  de- 
feat. In  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  his  division  fought  with  the 
utmost  desperation,  losing  all  the  brigade  commanders,  seventy 
officers,  and  half  the  men,  and  finally  fell  back  in  good  order,  but 
with  empty  cartridge-boxes,  and  re-forming,  fought  through  the 
remaining  days  of  the  battle.  At  Chickamauga,  on  the  first  dayj 
he  prevented  a serious  disaster  to  Wood’s  corps;  and  on  tlie  second 
day,  though  borne  off  the  field  by  the  sudden  assault  of  the  en- 
emy upon  the  gap  in  the  Union  lines,  ho  fought  his  way  out,  and 
re-forming  his  men,  brought  his  division  into  line  before  midnight. 
At  Chattanooga,  his  bravery  and  daring  were  conspicuous  in  the 
attack  upon  Fort  Bragg.  His  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and  his 
men  under  his  leadership  were  almost  frantic  witli  excitement. 
He  followed  Sherman  to  Knoxville,  to  raise  the  siege  of  that  city ; 
and  when  General  Grant  became  lieutenant-general,  he  was 
ordered  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  to  the  command  of  the 
cavalry  corps.  In  this  congenial  position  ho  led  several  expedi- 
tions into  the  enemy’s  country,  whore  lie  manifested  the  utmost 
daring  and  skill.  In  August,  at  General  Grant’s  request,  ho  was 


C84 


Hiographical  Sketches. 


appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Middle  Military  Division.  Here 
he  had  for  his  task  the  keeping  of  the  rebel  General  Early  in  or- 
der. After  several  minot'  skirmishes,  ho  defeated  him  severely  on 
the  19th  of  September,  near  Winchester;  again,  on  the  22d,  at 
Fisher’s  Ilill;  routed  and  drove  him  back  on  the  8th  and  12th  of 
October;  and  on  the  19th  of  October,  at  Middletown,  turned 
what  had  been,  in  his  absence,  a sad  and  disastrous  defeat  of  his 
troops  into  a magnificent  victory.  In  the  next  tliree  or  four 
months  ho  desolated  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  the  smaller  val- 
leys adjacent,  that  they  might  no  longer  serve  as  liarboring-places 
for  guerrillas ; and  in  March,  1805,  descended  the  valley,  captured 
Staunton  and  Waynesboro,  routed  Early  once  more,  and  destroyed 
the  railroads  and  canals  and  other  property  to  the  value  of  over 
fifty  millions  of  dollars.  Marching  by  way  of  White  House,  ho 
joined  General  Grant’s  army,  and  after  two  days’  rest  was  ordered 
to  the  field  in  the  last  campaign,  where  to  his  bravery  and  strategic 
skill  was  mainly  due  the  capture  of  Five  Forks  and  the  pursuit 
and  eventual  surrender  of  Lee.  After  the  war  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  was  over,  he  was  sent  in  command  of  a force  of  over  80,000 
men  to  Texas;  and  Kirby  Smith  having  surrendered,  after  a few 
weeks’  guarding  of  the  border,  he  was  allowed  to  reduce  his  army. 
On  the  27th  of  Juno  he  was  appointed  commander  of  the  klilitary 
Division  of  the  Gulf,  comprising  the  departments  of  Mississippi. 
Louisiana,  Texas,  and  Florida. 


a 


REVIEW  OF  THE  WAR 


The  war  wliicli  commenced  in  tlio  spring  of  18G1,  and  was 
maintained  for  four  years  with  a violence  and  intensity  hardly 
equaled  in  modern  history,  was  not,  on  the  part  of  the  South,  a 
sudden  uprising — the  resilience  of  a hrave  and  generous  people 
goaded  at  last  to  resistance  after  years  of  oppression  and  wrong, 
and  without  previous  preparation  seizing  on  such  weapons  as  were 
available  to  throw  off  the  hated  yoke.  On  the  contrary,  it  was  but 
the  fulfillment  of  a long-cherished  i)urpose.  Thirty  years  before. 
South  Carolina  had  revolted;  and  though  partly  coaxed  and  partly 
awed  into  submission  at  that  time,  the  political  leaders  of  that  and 
other  Southern  States  had  never  ceased  to  threaten  secession  when- 
ever their  demands  had  been  refused  in  the  National  Legislature; 
and  from  the  Presidential  campaign  of  185G  they  had  made  active 
preparations  to  consummate  their  purpose  at  the  next  Presidential 
election.  In  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Buchanan  they  Imd  their  pliant 
tools  to  furnish  from  the  nation’s  resources  the  means  of  destroying 
the  nation’s  life;  and  while  one  had  quietly  sent  to  the  States 
which  were  to  rise  in  rebellion  the  arms  and  ammunition  intended 
for  the  nation’s  defense — till  707,000  stand  of  arms  had  been  placed 
in  the  Southern  arsenals — another  had  sent  all  the  ships  of  the 
navy,  except  a mere  liandful,  to  distant  seas  for  long  cruises ; and 
another  had  so  depreciated  the  credit  of  the  Eepublic  that  its 
bonds,  which,  in  1857,  stood  at  a premium  of  17  per  cent.,  had,  in 
a time  of  profound  peace,  fallen  to  85  per  cent. ; and  even  at  this 
price  no  large  sums  could  bo  placed.  The  ludian  agencies  had 
been  given  over  to  plunderers,  until  the  natives  were  exasperated 
and  ready  to  rise  and  massacre  the  whites.  Abroad,  several  of  the 
more  important  missions  and  consulships  were  filled  by  men  hostile 
to  the  nation’s  existence.  And  in  the  army  and  navy  all  the  offi- 
cers from  the  South,  and  many  of  those  from  the  North,  had  been 
tampered  with,  and  urged  by  the  strongest  inducements  to  abandon 
the  cause  of  their  country. 

AVliat,  then,  were  the  causes  which  led  to  the  rebellion?  They 
were  mainly ; 

1.  An  entire  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the  fundamental 


683 


Review  of  the  War. 


principles  of  government,  arising  from  the  different  social  and 
economical  conditions  of  society,  Nortli  and  Soutli.  The  men  of 
tlie  Nortli  were  tlio  descendants,  for  the  most  jiart,  of  the  middle 
class  of  English  yeomen.  Sturdy,  self-reliant,  not  averse  to  labor, 
but  enterprising  and  intelligent,  they  had  maintained  commerce, 
established  manufactories,  fostered  the  mechanic  arts,  and  devel- 
oped, by  high  and  scientific  culture,  the  agricultural  wealth  of  their 
region.  They  had  organized  free  schools  over  their  entire  territory, 
reared  academies,  colleges,  and  universities  of  the  highest  character, 
and  planted  their  churches  over  the  entire  region.  With  them 
labor  was  honorable,  and  the  hard  hand  of  the  son  of  toil  more 
welcome  than  the  lily  fingers  of  the  children  of  indolence. 

The  men  of  the  South  were  descended  in  almost  equal  numbers 
from  the  profligate  and  vicious  younger  sons  of  the  English  aris- 
tocracy of  two  centuries  ago,  and  the  convicts  who  were  sent  over 
to  the  number  of  more  than  a hundred  thousand,  while  Virginia 
and  Maryland  were  penal  colonies,  with  a small  infusion  of 
Huguenots  in  South  Carolina,  and  a considerable  number  of  French 
creoles  in  Louisiana.  Naturally  averse  to  labor,  they  had,  early  in 
their  history,  commenced  the  importation  of  African  slaves,  and 
under  the  stimulus  of  the  profit  to  be  derived  from  the  culture  of 
cotton,  had  laid  out  the  Southern  States  in  large  plantations  often 
of  many  thousands  of  acres,  which  were  cultivated  by  slave  labor, 
while  the  proprietors  of  the  plantations  and  slaves  led  an  easy  and 
luxurious  life.  There  was  little  commerce,  and  of  that  little, 
nineteen-twentieths  was  conducted  by  Northern  men.  The  manu- 
factures were  very  few,  and  for  the  most  part  only  of  the  rudest 
kind — coarse  burlaps,  negro  cloth,  the  simpler  agricultural  imple- 
ments, etc.,  while  the  great  bulk  of  needful  articles,  either  for  war 
or  peace,  were  brought  from  the  North.  The  mechanic  arts  did 
not  flourish,  for  it  was  not  respectable  to  be  a mechanic.  Agricul- 
ture on  an  extended  scale,  though  prosecuted  with  the  rudest  im- 
plements and  in  the  most  slovenly  manner,  was  the  only  avocation 
which  was  popular;  and  at  this  tlie  slaves  were,  except  in  the 
mountainous  districts,  the  only  toilers.  All  the  whites  were  not 
planters ; and  as  most  of  those  who  possessed  neither  plantations 
nor  slaves  were  in  abject  poverty,  and  the  system  of  large  planta- 
tions rendered  good  free  schools  impossible,  there  grew  up  a class 
of  poor  and  degraded  whites,  ignorant,  depraved,  and  vicious,  hating 
the  negro  intensely,  and  often  inferior  to  him  in  iiitelligeoco.  The 
slave  system  of  agriculture  was  proverbially  wasteful  and  destruc- 


Review  of  the  'War.  687 

live ; and  the  rich  and  fertile  lands  of  the  South,  after  a few  years 
of  the  reckless  and  superficial  cultivation  bestowed  upon  them,  be- 
came barren,  and  the  slaveholder  emigrated  to  newer  lands  to  ruin 
them  in  the  same  way.  There  was  thus  a constant  demand  for 
new  territory,  to  be  sacrificed  to  the  slaveholders;  and  as  the 
large  planters  were  often  men  of  intelligence,  and  resolute  in  their 
defense  of  the  principles  of  their  caste,  and  could  readily  obtain 
seats  in  Congress,  they  were  determined  to  secure  for  themselves 
and  their  fellow-planters  the  right  of  taking  their  slaves  to  any 
portion  of  the  new  Territories,  and  bringing  them  under  the  influ- 
ence of  slavery. 

2.  The  State  Rights  doctrine,  first  broached  by  Thomas  Jefferson 
and  James  Madison  in  1798,  amplified  and  enlarged  by  John  C. 
Calhoun  in  1832  and  1833,  and  finally  fully  adopted  by  the  prin- 
pal  Southern  leaders  between  1850  and  18G0,  was  another  cause 
of  the  rebellion.  The  advocates  of  this  doctrine  insisted  upon  the 
supremacy  of  the  State  in  all  matters.  The  Union  was,  they  said, 
only  a confederation  of  States,  with  but  feeble  powers,  and  when 
the  sovereign  States  saw  fit  to  secede  from  it,  they  had  a perfect 
right  to  do  so.  This  right  was  to  ho  exercised  whenever  the 
majority  in  Congress  or  the  States  should  adopt  any  measure  by 
which  a sovereign  State  should  feel  or  fancy  itself  aggrieved. 

3.  But  slavery,  directly  or  indirectly,  was  the  proximate,  cause 
of  the  war.  The  Morth,  with  its  regard  for  free  and  honorable 
labor,  felt  an  abhorrence  for  slavery ; and  the  poor  bondman  flying 
from  its  torments,  its  indignities,  and  its  vicious  indulgence,  was 
reluctantly  sent  back  into  its  vortex,  and  often  succeeded  in  effect- 
ing his  escape.  To  sacrifice  to  such  a system  the  virgin  soil  of  the 
ifew  Territories  seemed  a crime  against  nature,  and  claiming  an 
equal  right  to  the  fair  lands  as  yet  unsettled,  with  the  South,  the 
citizens  of  the  North  refused  to  sanction  slavery  in  any  region  be- 
yond that  already  yielded  by  past  compromises.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  Southern  leaders,  accustomed  to  control  Congress  by 
their  demands  or  threats,  sought  the  permission  to  make  slave  ter- 
ritory of  all  the  region  west  of  Missouri,  the  recovery  of  their  slaves 
everywhere  in  the  United  States,  and  the  right  to  take  them  where 
they  pleased  without  incurring  risk  of  loss.  They  claimed  also  the 
right  of  re  opening  the  slave-trade,  and  of  maintaining  the  inter- 
state slave-trade. 

They  saw,  however,  with  serious  apprehension,  that  in  each  suc- 
cessive Congress  their  power,  hitherto  enforced  by  haughty  threats, 


688 


Iteview  of  the  War. 


and  the  crack  of  tbo  slave-driver’s  whip,  was  waning,  as  new 
Western  States  were  admitted,  and  the  opposition  to  slavery  and 
slaveholding  aggression  became  stronger  and  more  effectually 
organized.  In  1850  this  opposition  first  excited  their  alarm.  John 
C.  Fremont,  the  candidate  of  the  Republican  party  for  President, 
and  the  representative  of  the  men  who  were  hostile  to  any  farther 
aggressions  of  the  slave  power,  polled  a very  heavy  vote;  and 
though  defeated,  his  party  evidently  possessed  strength  enough  to 
succeed  next  time. 

The  slavcholding  leaders  at  once  took  measures,  quietly,  to 
thwart  such  a result  if  it  should  happen.  Many  of  them  were  not 
averse  to  a disruption  of  the  Union,  if  only  they  might  make  suita- 
ble preparation  for  it  beforehand  ; and  while,  as  we  have  said,  the 
cabinet  of  Mr.  Buchanan  lent  themselves  willingly  to  the  plans  of 
the  conspirators,  measures  were  taken  in  other  quarters  to  provide 
for  the  coming  emergency.  Military  schools  for  the  training  of 
officers  were  established  in  many  of  the  Southern  States,  and  super- 
intended by  eminent  graduates  of  West  Point;  South  Carolina 
imported  largo  quantities  of  arms  and  munitions  of  war  from  Eng- 
land. The  railroads  and  telegraph  lines  through  the  South,  built 
mostly  with  Northern  capital,  were  pushed  forward  with  great 
rapidity ; and  at  length,  so  confident  were  the  arch-conspirators  of 
success,  and  that  with  but  moderate  resistance,  that  they  purposely 
incited  divisions  in  the  Democratic  party  and  other  opponents  of  the 
Republican  party,  which,  by  the  nomination  of  three  other  candi- 
dates for  the  Presidency,  should  insure  the  success  of  the  Republican 
nominee.  This  accomplished,  their  orators,  by  the  most  vehement 
denunciation  of  Mr.  Lincoln  and  the  North,  sought  to  “fire  the 
Southern  heart”  and  prepare  the  excitable  masses  for  the  tragedy 
of  secession.  The  people  of  the  North,  meantime,  except  those 
who  were  in  the  secret  of  the  conspirators,  sturdily  refused  to  be- 
lieve that  the  South  intended  to  secede  or  fight.  They  had  so  often 
heard  threats  of  secession  from  Southern  leaders,  that  the  cry  of 
“ Wolf!  wolf!”  had  lost  its  terrors.  The  day  of  election  came,  and 
Mr.  Lincoln  was  elected  by  a large  majority  of  the  electoral  college 
and  a plurality  of  the  popular  vote.  Within  four  days  after  the 
election.  South  Carolina  had  called  a secession  convention,  and  on 
the  I7th  of  December  passed  an  ordinance  of  secession  ; Mississippi 
imitated  her  ekample  on  the  9th  of  January  ; Florida,  on  the  10th ; 
Alabama,  on  the  11th;  Georgia,  on  the  19th;  and  Louisiana  on 
the  25th;  while  Texas  followed  on  the  7th  of  February.  The 


Review  of  the  War. 


G89 


election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  was  the  occasion,  but  in  no  sense  the  cause, 
of  secession.  Seven  of  the  seceding  States  had  passed  the  ordi- 
nance before  he  l)ad  left  his  home  in  Illinois  to  come  to  Washington 
to  take  the  oath  of  office.  The  Senate  and  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States  were  both  opposed  to  him  politically,  and  the 
House  had  but  a small  majority  in  his  favor.  There  were  not 
wanting  those  who  hoped  that  by  yielding  to  the  demands  of  the 
Southern  leaders,  making  concessions  and  compromises,  as  in  the 
past,  war  might  yet  be  averted,  and  the  “ erring  sisters  come  back  in 
peace.”  A peace  conference  was  accordingly  assembled  in  Wash- 
ington on  the  4th  of  February,  1861.  Delegates  were  present  from 
twenty  States,  and  various  measures  were  discussed.  A majority 
finally  united  in  a series  of  propositions  which  gave  no  satisfaction 
to  any  party,  and  were  rejected  by  both.  Mr.  Crittenden  offered 
in  Congress  a series  of  compromise  resolutions,  which  after  long 
discussion  and  numerous  modifications  were  finally  rejected.  At 
this  juncture  one  of  the  leading  conspirators,  afterward  President 
of  the  rebel  Confederacy,  avowed  that  no  propositions  could  be 
made  which  would  be  satisfactory  to  them ; that  if  offered  carte 
'blanche  to  write  their  demands,  they  would  refuse  it,  as  they  were 
determined  upon  separation. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  inaugurated;  and  before  he  and  his  cabinet  had 
fairly  learned  the  condition  of  the  nation,  the  conspirators  precip- 
itated the  war  upon  the  Government.  There  was  now  no  possi- 
bility of  compromise  or  settlement.  The  war  must  be  fought  out, 
till  one  or  the  other  party  should  be  ready  to  yield.  IIow  stood  at 
this  time  the  two  opposing  parties,  the  United  States  and  the  insur- 
gents, as  to  their  preparation  for  the  conflict?  The  conspirators 
had  thirty  thousand  men  already  under  arms,  and  a hundred  thou- 
sand more  already  called  out  and  fast  organizing  for  service.  They 
had  a moiety  of  the  living  graduates  of  West  Point  ready  to  take 
command  of  their  armies,  and  the  graduates  of  their  half-dozen 
military  schools  for  subordinate  officers  ; they  had  an  ample  supply 
of  muskets,  and  rifles,  and  pistols  from  the  United  States  armories, 
furnished  by  the  fraud  and  treason  of  John  B.  Floyd ; and  a large 
supply  of  cannon,  of  all  calibres,  in  the  arsenals,  forts,  and  navy  yards 
they  had  seized.  The  people,  wrought  up  to  frenzy  by  the  ha- 
rangues of  the  conspirators,  enlisted  with  great  promptness;  and 
there  was  reason  to  fear  that  they  would  seize  upon  the  capital 
and  wreck  the  Government  before  the  slower  North  could  put  on 
its  harness  for  the  fight. 


690 


lieview  of  the  War. 

But  besides  these  advantages  tliey  had  others  of  no  mean  im- 
portance. From  tlie  first  it  was  evident  tliat  their  fighting  would, 
for  the  most  part,  be  defensive,  tliough  with  offensive  returns. 
Adopting  this  mode  of  warfare,  they  reserved  to  themselves  the 
great  advantage  of  interior  lines — that  is,  supposing  the  two  armies 
to  occupy  in  their  positions  segments  of  two  parallel  circles,  the 
outer  segment  and  what  was  leyond  it  would  represent  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Union  army,  while  the  inner  segment  and  what  was 
within  it  would  exhibit  the  position  of  the  rebel  army.  Of  course 
troops,  supplies,  arms,  and  ammunition  could  be  moved  much  more 
readily  across  the  area  included  within  the  inner  segment  than 
around  the  outer  one. 

Kepudiating,  either  by  State  or  individual  action,  the  payment 
of  the  debts  due  the  North,  and  having  on  hand  the  greater  part 
of  the  cotton  crop  of  18G0,  which  as  rapidly  as  possible  was 
shipped  to  Europe  as  the  basis  of  exchange,  they  were  supplied  at 
the  beginning  with  considerable  resources  for  carrying  on  the  war. 

Furthermore,  the  war  would  bo  fought  on  their  own  territory, 
and  every  white  inhabitant,  whether  combatant  or  non-combatant, 
would  b6  of  service  to  their  cause.  Women  as  well  as  men  could 
be  spies  and  scouts ; the  weak,  by  wrong  information  to  the  enemy, 
by  constant  correspondence  with  their  own  leaders,  and  in  a thou- 
sand other  ways,  could  serve  their  cause  as  well  as  the  strong. 

They  had,  moreover,  able  officers,  whom  they  could  at  once  put 
at  the  head  of  affairs.  Davis,  whom  they  had  already  made  Pres- 
ident of  their  so-called  confederacy,  was  a graduate  of  West  Point, 
bad  served  with  credit  in  the  Mexican  war,  had  been  Secretary  of 
A7ar  under  President  Pierce,  and  possessed  a high  reputation  for 
executive  ability.  Albert  Sydney  Johnston,  an  officer  of  high  rank 
and  superior  talent;  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  hardly  inferior  to  him  in 
ability ; Robert  E.  Lee,  the  friend  and  confidant  of  General  Scott ; 
G.  T.  Beauregard,  an  engineering  officer  of  brilliant  abilities;  and.' 
Thomas  J.  Jackson,  a stern  Cromwellian  sort  of  fighter,  were  all 
pledged  to  their  service,  together  with  numbers  of  others  who 
were  hardly  inferior  to  these  in  military  skill  and  knowledge. 

What  had  the  North  to  oppose  to  such  a state  of  preparation  for 
the  impending  conflict?  She  had  men — brave,  noble-hearted,  pa- 
triotic men,  but  they  were  all  unskilled  in  the  arts  of  war.  She 
had  some  officers,  but  the  Lieutenant-General  was  old  and  feeble, 
suffering  from  wounds  received  fifty  years  before  in  his  country’s 
cause,  and  wholly  unprepared  for  the  emergencies  of  a war  far 


Review  of  the  War. 


691 


vaster  than  ho  bad  ever  dreamed  of.  Ilis  plans  became,  through 
the  traitors  among  the  officers  of  his  military  family,  known  to  the 
enemy  as  soon  as  he  bad  formed  them,  and  the  burden  of  respon- 
sibility became  so  great  that  bo  was  fain  to  lay  it  down.  Of  the 
other  generals  of  the  regular  army,  'Wool  was  nearly  as  infirm  as 
his  chief;  Harney  was  hardly  more  than  semi-loyal ; Twiggs,  with 
a depth  of  treason  and  meanness  which  should  make  him  forever 
infamous,  had  not  only  gone  over  to  the  rebels,  but  had  betrayed 
the  common  soldiers  of  his  command  to  them,  and  made  them 
prisoners,  while  A.  S.  Johnston  had  also  joined  the  South.  But 
two  colonels,  ilansfield  and  Sumner,  were  found  loyal  and  capable 
of  liigher  commands;  and  while  the  number  of  officers  of  lower 
grade,  whose  loyalty  would  bear  the  test,  was  much  larger,  few  of 
them  had  had  much  actual  experience  of  war,  and  tliey  needed 
long  training  to  enable  them  to  comprehend  fully  the  vast  struggle 
on  which  they  were  about  to  enter.  Many  of  the  array  officers 
who  remained  loyal  were  so  affiliated  with  the  South  by  mar- 
riage or  friendship,  or  their  obligations  to  some  of  the  Southern 
leaders,  that  they  had  hardly  the  heart  to  fight  them,  and  desired 
to  conduct  the  war  on  such  principles  that  no  one  should  be  se- 
riously hurt.  The  departments  of  Government,  the  halls  of  Con- 
gress, the  military  offices,  the  President’s  house  even,  swarmed 
with  spies  who  communicated  without  delay  to  their  Southern 
friends  every  incident  or  movement  of  importance. 

That  the  North,  with  its  vast  resources  of  patriotic  men,  its 
skilled  labor,-  and  its  immense  wealth,  must  eventually  win  the 
day,  was  the  confident  belief  of  every  loyal  man ; but  with  the  im- 
mediate advantages  so  greatly  on  the  side  of  the  South,  it  seemed 
to  be  evident  that  the  struggle  must  be  long  and  severe.  Yet  the 
President  and  his  cabinet,  hopeful  in  the  midst  of  the  surrounding 
gloom,  thought  the  war  would  not  eontinue  “ beyond  ninety  days.” 

The  President  by  proclamation,  on  the  15th  of  April,  1861,  called 
out  75,000  militia  to  servo  three  months,  and  called  for  soldiers  for 
the  regular  army  which  should  recruit  its  numbers  to  42,000.  He 
also  summoned  Congress  to  an  extra  session  on  the  4th  of  July, 
and  by  another  proclamation  of  the  19th  of  April,  declared  the 
ports  of  the  insurgent  States  under  blockade. 

There  were  abundant  volunteers  to  make  up  the  75,000  men 
■ called  for — 350,000,  it  is  said,  having  olfered  their  services,  and 
80,000  having  been  accepted ; but  very  few,  probably  not  20,000 
in  all,  belonged  to  any  militia  organization  at  the  time  when  the 

35 


692 


Review  of  the  'War. 


call  was  made.  Tlie  skeleton  militia  regiments,  where  any  such 
existed,  filled  up  their  ranks  to  the  full  required  quota  by  re- 
cruiting, but  in  most  of  the  States  there  was  no  efl’ective  military 
organization.  In  the  cities,  volunteer  companies  and  regiments 
kept  up  the  uniform,  though  with  but  little  of  the  discipline,  of  the 
army ; but  in  the  rural  districts,  and  in  many  entire  States,  there 
was  no  militia  organization.  Fifty  years  of  peace  had  caused  the 
nation  to  forget  the  needed  preparation  for  war.  So  strongly 
wedded  was  the  Secretary  of  War  to  the  belief  that  the  war  was 
to  be  a brief  one,  that  ho  very  reluctantly  accepted  a few  addi- 
tional regiments  from  the  hundreds  otfered  him,  and  suffered  the 
remainder,  after  long  waiting,  to  disband,  disgusted  with  the  neg- 
lect of  the  Government  to  respond  to  their  patriotic  offers. 

Let  us  now  glance  at  the  conduct  of  the  war  thus  inaugurated. 
The  troops  assembled  around  Washington — brave  fellows  enough, 
but  utterly  without  discipline,  except  in  the  case  of  a very  few  reg- 
iments. The  men  in  many  instances  never  having  handled  a mus- 
ket before  their  enlistment,  were  hardly  arrived  in  their  camps 
before  a cry  was  set  up  by  the  newspapers  of  “ On  to  Richmond  !” 
and  the  fiercest  denunciations  were  heaped  upon  the  Administration 
and  the  veteran  Lieutenant-General  because  he  did  not  order  an 
immediate  advance.  Meantime,  though  all  possible  expedition  had 
been  used,  the  regiments  had  hardly  been  formed  into  brigades  or 
the  brigades  into  divisions.  There  was  much  to  be  learned  in  five 
or  six  weeks,  but  the  clamor  arose  so  fiercely,  “ On  to  Richmond  I 
on  to  Richmond!”  that  General  Scott  suffered  himself  to  be  over- 
persuaded, and  ordered  an  advance  when  the  troops  were  as  yet 
wholly  unprepared  for  it,  though  some  of  them  were  approaching 
the  close  of  their  very  short  term  of  enlistment.  Then  followed 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  It  is  much  to  the  credit  of  this  undis- 
ciplined mass  of  militia  that  they  should  have  fought  so  well  as 
they  did.  The  far  better  trained  force  of  Beauregard  was  beaten 
back,  and  but  for  the  arrival  of  Johnston’s  reinforcements  just  at 
the  last  moment,  would  have  given  way,  routed  and  utterly  dis- 
comfited. But  the  evil  effects  of  want  of  discipline  showed  them- 
selves in  the  panic  which  smote  the  Union  troops  when  their  rein- 
forced foe  began  to  rally  and  press  them  back.  But  not  all  mingled 
in  this  terrible  panic;  a few  regiments  maintained  their  ground, 
and  found  that  the  rebels  were  too  much  exhausted  and  had  suf- 
fered too  heavy  losses  to  assume  the  offensive. 

The  day  seemed  one  of  sad  disaster,  but  it  was  a blessing  in  dis- 


693 


Review  of  the  War. 


gnise.  Rallying  promptly  from  its  deep  humiliation,  the  nation 
saw  the  need  of  thorough  discipline,  of  able  leadership,  of  skillfnl 
strategy.  Had  tlie  North  been  snccessful  at  Bull  Run,  tlie  war 
would  not  yet  be  ended.  After  this  battle.  General  McClellan, 
who  had  already  won  some  distinction  in  West  Virginia,  became 
the  actual,  and  in  November  following  the  titular,  general-in- 
chief  of  the  armies  of  the  Union.  At  the  West  there  were  some 
movements  wortliy  of  notice.  Captain  Lyon,  U.  S.  A.,  soon  after 
brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  held  command  in  Missouri,  where 
the  Governor,  Claiborne  F.  Jackson,  and  Sterling  Price,  a former 
Governor,  and  then  major-general  of  the  Missouri  State  Guard  and 
president  of  the  State  Convention,  were  endeavoring  to  compel  the 
secession  of  the  State.  Removing  the  United  States  arms  from  St. 
Louis,  and  arresting  a brigade  of  the  State  Gn.ard  under  General 
Frost,  who  sought  to  seize  St.  Louis,  in  the  interests  of  the  seces- 
sionists, General  I>yon  soon  compelled  dackson.  Price,  and  their 
adherents  to  fly  westward,  driving  them  from  the  capital,  skir- 
mishing with  them  at  Booneville,  and  finally  pushing  them  to  a 
point  where  the  rebel  General  McCulloch  brought  up  his  forces  to 
aid  them.  He  fought  and  defeated  them  at  Dug  Spring  on  the  2d 
of  August,  1861,  and  on  the  9th  of  the  same  month,  in  the  des- 
perate and  hard-fought  battle  of  Wilson’s  Creek,  he  fell  while  lead- 
ing his  troops  in  a charge  upon  the  enemy.  His  death  temporarily 
disheartened  his  troops,  who  retreated  to  Rolla.  A few  weeks 
later,  the  rebels  in  largo  numbers  besieged  and  finally  captured 
Lexington,  notwithstanding  its  gallant  defense  by  Colonel  Mulli- 
gan. Brigadier-General  Grant,  a name  just  beginning  to  come  into 
notice,  had  been  appointed  commander  of  the  district  of  Cairo,  had 
thwarted  the  plans  of  the  rebel  general,  Jelf.  Thompson,  in  south- 
eastern Missouri,  occupied  Paducah  and  Smithland,  Ky.,  and  early 
in  November,  after  a careful  reconnoissance,  ha(f  attacked  and  cap- 
tured the  rebel  camp  at  Belmont,  and  fought  the  bloody  but  inde- 
cisive battle  at  that  point. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  now  rapidly  filling  up  its  numbers 
under  the  requisitions  of  the  President,  equipped,  organized,  and 
disciplined,  till  it  was  one  of  the  finest  armies  ever  led  into  the 
field,  whitened  all  the  hills  around  Washington  with  its  tents. 
These  were  the  days  of  “ anaconda”  strategy.  The  rebellion  was 
to  be  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  our  troops,  and  then  its  bounda- 
ries being  gradually  diminished  by  our  contracting  lines,  at  the  last 
the  monster  was  to  be  crushed  into  one  shapeless  mass  by  the 


694 


Review  of  the  War. 

tightening  folds  of  our  armies.  The  plan  is  said  to  have  been  de- 
vised by  General  Scott,  and  to  have  been  sanctioned  and  developed 
by  General  McClellan.  It  was  very  pretty,  and  lacked  hut  one 
element  of  success — practicability.  To  liave  accomplished  it  would 
have  required  at  least  six  millions  of  men  and  six  billions  of  money, 
and  even  then  some  weak  point  would  have  been  found  by  the 
enemy. 

In  accordance  with  this  theory,  however,  expeditions  were  fitted 
out  for  the  capture  of  Forts  Hatteras  and  Clark  on  the  North 
Carolina  coast,  and  of  Forts  Beauregard  and  Walker  at  Hilton 
Head,  the  keys  to  the  fine  harbor  of  Port  Iloyal ; and  other  enter- 
prises commenced,  looking  to  the  redaction  of  Roanoke  Island  and 
Newbern,  and  the  capture  of  New  Orleans  and  its  defenses.  The 
Hatteras  and  Hilton  Head  expeditions  both  came  wRliin  the  year 
1801,  and  both  were  successful — the  latter,  owing  to  the  admirable 
arrangement  of  Flag-Officer  (afterward  Rear-Admiral)  S.  F.  Du- 
pont, proving  one  of  the  finest  naval  victories  of  the  war. 

The  war  on  the  1st  of  January,  1802,  had  raged  for  nearly  nine 
months,  and  as  yet  had  made  but  little  impression  upon  the  South- 
ern Confederacy.  The  Union  flag  floated  indeed  over  a small  por- 
tion of  North  and  South  Carolina.  Fort  Pickens  and  Key  West 
were  ours ; Kentucky  was  driven  from  her  position  of  neutrality, 
though  still  at  several  points  occupied  by  the  rebels,  and  Missouri 
was  under  Union  rule,  but  sorely  harassed  by  bands  of  rebel  ruf- 
fians and  guerrillas. 

The  second  year  of  the  war  was  destined  to  see  wider  conquests, 
though  not  unmingled  with  serious  reverses  and  disasters.  One 
fold  of  the  anaconda  W'as  sweeping  southward  from  St.  Louis  to 
the  Alleghanies,  where  an  army  with  its  right  and  left  wings  three 
hundred  miles  asunder,  pressed  the  rebel  forces  before  it.  The 
Army  of  the  Western  Department,  now  under  the  command  of 
General  Halleck,  had  its  left  wing  in  eastern  Kentucky,  where  the 
sturdy  Thomas  swept  steadily  and  grandly  onward,  defeated  Zolli- 
coffer  at  Camp  Wildcat,  killed  him,  and  routed  most  completely 
his  army  at  Somerset  or  Mill  Spring  ; and  then,  his  foe  having  dis- 
appeared, hastened  to  join  the  center  under  Buell.  Slow  in  move- 
ment, but  an  excellent  disciplinarian,  Buell  with  the  center  had 
occupied  a threatening  position  toward  the  rebel  stronghold  at 
Bowling  Green,  where  Albert  Sydney  Johnston,  the  ablest  of  the 
rebel  generals,  had  fortified  himself  with  a largo  army.  Westward 
still.  Grant  was  moving  along  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  riv- 


Review  of  the  War.  695> 

ers,  and  preparing  under  General  Ilalleck’s  direction  one  of  those 
flanking  movements  which  have  since  rendered  him  so  famous,  and 
by  which  he  hoped,  ere  long,  to  render  Columbus,  Ky. — now 
strongly  fortified  and  held  by  a large  force  under  the  Bishop-Gen- 
eral, Polk — untenable,  and  to  compel  Johnston  to  evacuate  Bowl- 
ing Green  without  a battle.  The  feat  is  soon  accomplished.  Fort 
Henry  yields  ou  the  Cth  of  February  to  Flag-Officer  Foote’s  well- 
directed  assault,  and  on  the  16th  of  the  same  month  Fort  Donelson, 
after  a bloody  and  desperate  siege  of  four  days,  is  “ unconditionally 
surrendered”  by  General  Buckner  to  General  Grant,  and  14,000 
prisoners  grace  the  conqueror’s  triumph.  Clarksville  and  Nash- 
ville were  now  at  the  mercy  of  the  Union  army,  and  Johnston 
marching  rapidly  from  Bowling  Green,  passed  through  Niishvillo 
without  stopping,  and  pushed  on  to  the  Mississippi  line,  while  his 
colleague,  the  Bishop-General,  made  the  best  of  his  way  down  tho 
river  to  Island  Number  Ten,  where,  in  a strong  position,  ho  could 
for  the  time  defy  his  pursuers. 

Grant  did  not  rest  upon  his  laurels.  Following  his  antagonist  by 
w'ay  of  the  Tennessee  River,  he  landed  his  troops  at  Pittsburg 
Landing,  near  Shiloh  Church,  about  twenty  miles  from  Corinth,  a 
place  of  great  strategic  importance,  where  Johnston  was  concen- 
trating his  forces.  General  Halleck  had  ordered  Buell  and  Thomas, 
the  former  in  the  advance,  to  join  Grant  at  this  point.  The  roads 
were  heavy,  and  the  progress  of  the  troops  slow.  Johnston,  a 
brilliant  and  skillful  soldier,  at  once  saw  his  opportunity  and  im- 
proved it.  His  force,  though  perhaps  not  equal  to  Grant’s  and 
Buell’s  combined,  was  nearly  double  that  of  Grant,  and  by  hurling 
them  upon  Grant  before  his  reinforcements  came  up,  he  might  be 
able  to  destroy  his  army  and  then  to  defeat  Buell.  But  the  deep 
mud  delayed  by  a day  or  more  his  advance,  and  Buell  was  nearer 
than  he  supposed.  Still,  on  tho  first  day’s  attack  (Sunday,  April 
C),  the  Union  troops  were  in  part  surprised  and,  till  near  the  close 
of  tho  day,  defeated.  The  greater  part  of  Prentiss’  division  with 
its  commander  were  taken  prisoners,  and  the  entire  army  driven 
out  of  their  camps  and  toward  the  river  bank;  Johnston,  the 
rebel  commander,  was  killed,  and  Beauregard  took  his  place.  Late 
in  the  afternoon  the  tide  of  battle  began  to  change.  The  gun- 
boats coming  within  range  of  tho  enemy,  opened  u[)on  them  with 
their  heavy  shells,  and  Grant’s  chief  of  ordnance  gathering  the 
scattered  cannon,  parked  them  on  a commanding  position,  and 
commenced  so  deadly  a bombardment  at  short  range,  that  tho 


696  Iteview  of  the  IVctr. 

rebels  began  to  fall  back.  The  gun-boats  continued  their  bom- 
bardment through  the  niglit,  and  the  uiondiig  bringing  a part  of 
Buell’s  force,  the  Union  army  assumed  the  otl'ensivo,  and  by  a lit- 
tle after  noon  had  driven  back  the  rebels  and  regained  the  lost 
ground.  The  rebels  retreated  leisurely  to  Corinth,  whither  they 
were  pursued  and  besieged  till  the  30th  of  May,  when  Beauregard 
evacuated  it  and  moved  southward.  The  battle  of  Shiloh  had 
been  the  bloodiest  of  the  war  thus  far. 

The  Bishop- General  did  not  find  his  stronghold  of  Island  Num- 
ber Ten  impregnable.  A canal  was  cut  through  a bayou  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  by  which  the  gun-boats  were  able  to  attack 
it  from  below,  and  New  Madrid  having  been  captured  by  General 
Pope,  the  position  of  the  rebels  became  precarious  and  they  flitted 
soutliward  again,  leaving,  however,  their  heavy  gnns  and  a con- 
siderable number  of  prisoners.  Fort  Wright  was  their  next  halting- 
place,  and  ere  long  they  were  dispossessed  of  this,  and  Memphis  was 
surrendered,  the  rebel  fleet  having  first  been  destroyed  in  a short 
but  sharp  naval  action. 

In  Arkansas  there  had  been  some  severe  fighting;  tlie  Missouri 
troops,  pushing  southward  to  keep  up  with  the  sweep  of  the 
“ anaconda,”  had  encountered  the  enemy  in  large  force  at  Pea 
Kidge,  and  after  a two  days’  fight,  by  the  gallant  conduct  of  Gen- 
eral Sigel  the  Union  troops  were  victorious  and  the  rebels  driven 
over  the  mountains. 

The  expedition  intended  for  the  capture  of  New  Orleans  and  its 
defenses  had  wisely  been  placed  under  the  command  of  that  able  and 
skillful  officer  Captain  (now  Vice-Admiral)  Farragut,  and  the  co-op- 
erating land  force  under  General  Butler.  Leaving  Fortress  Monroo 
in  February,  1862,  the  expedition  was  delayed  at  Ship  Island  and 
other  points  for  two  months,  and  it  was  not  until  the  IStli  of  April 
that  it  approached  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  on  the  Mississippi, 
seventy  miles  below  New  Orleans.  These  forts  were  works  of 
great  strength,  and  had  a large  and  effective  armament  and  full 
garrisons.  To  make  assurance  doubly  sure,  however,  the  rebels, 
to  whom  the  possession  of  New  Orleans  was  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance, had  provided  against  the  possibility  of  a squadron  passing 
the  forts,  by  stretching  a boom  and  chains  across  the  river,  by  a 
large  fleet  of  gun-boats,  iron-clads,  and  rams,  and  by  fire-ships  and 
floating  torpedoes,  which  it  was  believed  would  destroy  any  vessels 
which  might  attempt  the  hazardous  passage.  For  six  days  Flag- 
OfiBcer  Farragut  bombarded  the  forts,  and  though  he  succeeded  in 


Meview  of  the  War. 


697 


doing  some  damage,  there  were  as  yet  no  indications  of  their  re- 
duction. He  had  resolved  before,  if  the  bombardment  proved  un- 
successful, to  attempt  to  force  a passage  past  the  forts  and  through 
the  obstructions,  and  thus  to  reach  New  Orleans.  The  enterprise 
■was  one  of  great  hazard.  For  a distance  of  nearly  a mile  his  ves- 
sels would  be  exposed  to  the  secret  and  terrible  fire  of  the  siege- 
guns  of  the  forts ; then  the  chain  was  to  be  forced,  the  fire-ships, 
the  torpedoes,  and  the  enemy’s  fleet,  nearly  equal  in  numbers  to 
Lis  own,  and  several  of  the  vessels  iron  clad,  to  he  encountered. 
On  the  24th  of  April,  aided,  though  some  of  the  time  embarrassed, 
by  a fog,  the  effort  was  made ; the  fire  of  the  forts  was  encountered 
without  serious  injury,  the  chain  was  broken,  the  fire-rafts  and 
torpedoes  destroyed  with  but  slight  damage,  and  the  rebel  fleet, 
after  a fierce  and  desperate  engagement,  almost  unparalleled  in  tho 
history  of  naval  warfare,  completely  annihilated,  thirteen  of  their 
gun-hoats  and  the  iron^clad  Manassas  being  either  burned,  sunk, 
or  destroyed.  Of  his  own  squadron,  one  vessel  had  been  sunk  and 
three  dis.abled.  Mith  the  remainder  he  kept  on  his  way  up  tho 
river,  and  on  the  2Gth  summoned  New  Orleans  to  surrender.  Tho 
rebel  trooi«  left  the  city  in  haste,  and  on  the  28th  it  was  occupied 
by  Union  troops.  On  the  29th  of  April  the  forts  surrendered  to 
Captain  (now  Rear-Admiral)  Porter.  Flag-Officer  Farragut  as- 
cended the  river,  captured  the  forts  on  its  bank  near  New  Orleans 
after  a brief  bombardment,  passed  tho  batteries  of  Vicksburg,  and 
communicated  with  Flag-Officer  Davis,  who  had  succeeded  tho 
gallant  Foote  in  the  command  of  the  upper  Mississippi  squadron. 

On  the  Atlantic  the  “ anaconda  policy”  had  not  worked  so  well. 
Burnside  had,  indeed,  in  a brilliant  campaign,  captured  Roanoke 
Island,  Plymouth,  Newbern,  Beaufort,  and  Fort  Macon,  N.  C.,  and 
Gillmore  had  demonstrated  the  power  of  his  long-range  guns  to  re- 
duce strong  masonry  fortifications  by  tho  capture  of  Fort  PulaskL 

But  in  Virginia  matters  were  not  promising.  The  grand  Army 
of  the  Potomac  lay  idly  in  its  camps  for  four  months  after  its  or- 
ganization was  completed.  Five  and  twenty  or  thirty  miles  away, 
around  tho  heights  of  Manassas,  the  rebel  army,  far  inferior  in 
numbers,  in  equipments,  in  ordnance,  and  supplies,  had  lain  through 
the  long  winter  undisturbed.  The  new  General  had  ever  some 
excuse  ready  for  declining  to  move.  At  length,  tired  of  this  con- 
stant procrastination,  the  President  took  the  matter  in  hand,  and 
issued  orders  for  an  advance  on  the  enemy  on  the  22d  of  February. 
"When  at  length  the  vast  army  moved  forward,  the  enemy,  weary 


098 


Review  of  the  War. 


of  waiting,  had  abandoned  their  camps  and  moved  southward. 
Marching  buck  to  the  Potomac,  McClellan  embarked  his  main 
army  on  transports  and  sailed  for  Fortress  Monroe.  A consider- 
able garrison  was  left  for  Washington,  a small  force  in  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley  under  General  Banks,  and  one  corps  under  General 
McDowell,  stationed  near  Fredericksburg.  Meanwhile,  the  most 
remarkable  naval  conflict  of  our  times  had  taken  jdace  in  Hampton 
Roads.  The  Merrimac,  one  of  our  own  frigates,  partially  burned 
at  the  abandonment  of  the  Gosport  Navy  Yard,  had  been  raised  by 
the  rebels,  repaired,  and  clad  with  railroad  iron.  On  the  7th  of 
March  she  came  out  of  Norfolk,  destroyed  by  her  ram  the  Con- 
gress and  Cumberland,  two  Union  frigates,  and  attempted  to  attack 
the  Minnesota,  one  of  the  Union  ships  of  the  line,  but  could  not  get 
at  her  in  consequence  of  the  low  st4te  of  the  tide,  and  during  the 
night  lay  at  anchor  ready  to  renew  the  destruction  of  the  previous 
day.  But  during  the  night  a singular-looking  craft,  appropriately 
enough  described  as  resembling  a cheese-box  on  a raft,  entered  the 
harbor,  and  the  next  morning  advanced  to  give  the  iron-clad  ship 
battle.  In  vain  the  latter  exerted  all  her  powers  to  destroy  or 
escape  her  little  antagonist;  impenetrable  to  her  shots,  she  is  yet 
nimble  enough  to  sail  round  her,  to  throw  her  huge  shells  into  her 
port-holes  whenever  they  are  opened,  and  to  cripple  her  steering 
apparatus;  and  at  last  the  monster  armored  ship,  seriously  dam- 
aged, and  her  commander  dangerously  wounded,  withdrew  from  the 
conflict,  and  a few  weeks  later  was  blown  up  by  the  rebels  to  pre- 
vent her  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  United  States  authorities. 

We  left  the  Grand  Army  on  its  way  to  Fortress  Monroe,  iauid- 
ing  on  the  peninsula  they  soon  made  their  way  toward  Yorktown, 
where  the  rebels,  with  less  than  tw'enty  thousand  men,  occupied 
some  hastily  reared  works.  General  McClellan  had  over  one  hun- 
dred thousand  men,  and  could  easily  have  carried  these  works  by 
assault,  but  be  preferred  to  institute  a siege  ; and  General  Lee,  who 
was  in  command,  having  been  largely  ro-in forced,  awaited  an  at- 
tack till  the  3d  of  May,  when  he  withdrew  to  Williamsburg. 
Uither  McClellan  followed,  fouglit  a battle  in  which  for  hours  our 
men  were  slaughtered  without  definite  object,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing found  that  Lee  had  left  Williamsburg  and  was  moving  leisurGy 
toward  Richmond.  Thither  McClellan  pursued  as  leisurely,  digging 
through  the  swamps,  and  losing  more  men  from  the  deadly  malaria 
of  the  Chickahominy  marshes  than  he  would  have  done  in  half  a 
dozen  battles.  Slowly,  bridges  were  thrown  across  the  Chicka- 


Review  of  the  War 


699 


hominy,  and  a single  division  sent  across  to  occupy  the  ground. 
The  rebels,  fully  informed  of  these  movements,  sent  out  a force  from 
Richmond  to  overwhelm  these  few  troops,  while  a rising  flood  in  the 
Chickahominy  would,  they  reasoned,  prevent  their  reinforcement. 
On  the  first  day  the  Union  troops  were  defeated  and  driven  back,  but 
receiving  reinforcements  they  took  the  offensive,  and  the  next  day 
drove  the  rebels  back  to  within  two  miles  of  Richmond,  and  could 
have  entered  and  captured  that  city  had  not  McClellan  recalled  them. 
For  the  next  twenty-five  days  General  McClellan  continued  to  for- 
tify the  banks  of  the  Chickahominy,  his  men  meantime  falling  vic- 
tims to  the  malarial  fever,  till  at  one  time  he  had  nearly  30,000 
on  his  sick  list — diversifying  his  labors,  meanwhile,  by  calling  for 
more  men.  At  this  time  he  had  158,000  men  on  his  rolls,  and 
120,000  effectives.  He  repre.‘^nted  the  rebels  ns  having  200,000 
men,  and  the  addition  of  Jackson’s  corps,  which  could  not,  ho 
said,  now  be  prevented,  would  increase  their  force  to  250,000.  In 
fact,  the  rebels  had  50,000  men,  and  when  Jackson’s  corps  was 
added,  less  than  90,000 ; and  until  they  had  learned  the  character 
of  their  foe,  were  trembling  with  fear  lest  we  should  assault  Rich- 
mond, which  could  not  have  been  held  against  a resolute  attack. 
After  attempting  in  vain  to  throw  all  the  blame  of  a defeat  upon 
the  President  or  Secretary  Stanton,  General  McClellan  fought  two 
battles,  in  neither  of  which  did  ho  employ  half  his  force,  and  re- 
solved to  change  his  base — or,  in  plain  English,  to  raise  the  siege 
of  Richmond  and  retreat.  This  retreat  was  conducted  under  the 
direct  supervision  of  his  subordinate  generals,  many  of  whom  by 
their  bravery  under  such  adverse  circumstances  added  to  their 
reputation,  lie  reached  Harrison’s  Landing,  fifteen  miles  from 
Richmond,  with  a loss  in  killed,  wounded,  sick,  and  stragglers  of 
nearly  thirty  thousand  men.  It  would  still  have  been  possible 
to  have  captured  Richmond  had  (ho  Union  commander  attempted 
it  in  earnest,  though  the  difficulty  of  doing  .so  was  immensely  in- 
creased from  his  present  position,  but  McClellan  frittered  away 
the  summer  in  clamoring  for  more  men,  and  refused  to  move  with- 
out them.  Tlie  new  general-in-cbief.  General  Ilalleck,  at  length 
recalled  the  troops  to  Alexandria  and  Acquia  Creek,  where  they 
were  greatly  needed.  McClellan  protested,  prayed,  and  urged  fur- 
ther trial,  and  finding  all  of  no  avail,  finally,  after  a fortnight’s 
delay,  embarked. 

Matters  were  not  progressing  much  more  favorably  in  northern 
Virginia.  General  Banks,  who  had  ventured  up  the  Shenandoali 


700  Jteview  of  the  War. 

Valley  in  April,  driving  tlio  rebels  before  him,  was  suddenly  con- 
fronted early  in  May  by  “Stonewall”  Jackson’s  force,  more  than 
quadi’uple  bis  own,  and  compelled  to  retreat,  wliicli  be  did  with 
considerable  skill,  north  of  the  Potomac.  Fremont,  now  in  cqm- 
mand  of  the  Mountain  Department,  and  McDowell  at  Fredericks- 
burg, were  summoned  to  repel  bis  invasion;  and  bis  object  (of 
drawing  troops  away  which  threatened  Eichmond  from  the  north) 
having  been  accomplished,  Jackson  in  return  made  a masterly  re- 
treat up  the  Shenandoah  Valley ; and  after  fighting  two  battles,  at 
Cross  Keys  and  Port  Republic,  made  his  escape  to  Gordonsville, 
and  thence  with  largely  recruited  forces  to  Eichmond,  where  he 
arrived  in  season  to  harass  McClellan’s  army  in  its  retreat  across 
the  peninsula. 

It  was  now  resolved  to  put  Frempnt’s,  Banks’,  and  McDowell’s 
commands  together  under  General  Pope,  as  the  Army  of  Virginia, 
and  threatening  Richmond  from  the  north,  so  distract  Lee’s  at- 
tention that  it  might  fall  an  easy  prey  to  McClellan’s  attack  from 
the  south.  General  Pope’s  plans  were  well  arranged,  and  had  ho 
received  the  co-operation  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  they  could 
hardly  have  failed  of  success.  General  Pope  had  advanced  toward 
Eichmond  and  had  crossed  the  Rappahannock,  when  he  found  that 
Lee,  disdaining  to  notice  McClellan’s  presence  at  Harrison’s  Land- 
ing, or  convinced  that  he  had  nothing  to  fear  from  him,  was  mov- 
ing with  his  whole  army,  numbering  from  90,000  to  100,000  men, 
upon  him.  Pope  had  but  40,000  men,  and  his  only  tactics  wore 
to  fight  and  fall  back,  till  reinforcements  could  reach  him  which 
should  make  his  force  equal  to  that  of  his  adversary.  Retreating 
campaigns  are,  however,  very  generally  fatal  to  the  morale  of  an 
army,  unless  it  is  in  tlie  highest  state  of  discipline;  and  it  is  greatly 
to  General  Pope’s  credit,  that  fighting  at  such  odds,  and  constantly 
falling  back,  unsupported  to  anything  like  the  extent  he  should 
have  been  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  his  bravo  but  half  starved 
army  should  have  retained  to  the  last  its  courage,  its  organization, 
and  its  splendid  fighting  powers.  The  battles  of  this  campaign 
e.xtended  from  Cedar  Mountain  by  way  of  Manassas  and  Center- 
ville almost  to  the  outer  defenses  of  Washington  itself ; and  when 
at  last  the  Army  of  Virginia  joined  their  brethren  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  witliin  the  fortifications  around  Washington,  Lee 
pressed  on  into  Maryland  with  the  intention  of  carrying  the  war 
into  the  Northern  States,  and  drawing  thence  ample  supplies  for 
his  army.  The  command  of  the  combined  armies  which  wore  to 


'701 


Review  of  the  "War. 


thwart  his  plans  and  check  his  progress  was  again  given  to  McClel- 
lan; and  although  Lee  captured  Harper’s  Ferry  with  but  slight 
resistance,  a part  of  his  army  and  a jiart  of  McClellan’s  came  into 
collision  at  Sooth  Mountain,  and  the  rebels  were  i-epulsed  and 
driven  over  the  mountain.  Three  days  later  (on  the  ITtli  of  Sep- 
tember, 1802)  the  two  armies  met  on  the  banks  of  Antietam  Creek, 
and  after  a terrible  and  bloody  battle,  in  whicli  neither  j)arty  gained 
a decisive  victory,  though  the  advantage  was  on  the  Union  side, 
both  rested  through  the  night  on  their  arms.  On  the  iiiorrow  Lee 
could  not  and  McClellan  would  not  renew  the  battle,  and  the  day 
following  Lee  moved  leisurely  toward  the  Potomac,  crossed  with- 
out any  vigorous  pursuit,  and  made  his  way  toward  the  Rapidan. 
McClellan  remained  for  some  weeks  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
Potomac.  "iFearied  at  length  with  his  indisposition  to  prosecute 
the  war  vigorously,  the  President  relieved  him  of  his  command 
on  the  7th  of  November,  and  appointed  General  Burnside  his  suc- 
cessor. He  accepted  the  charge  with  reluctance,  and  moved  for- 
ward, though  embarrassed  from  the  first  by  the  hesitating  obedience 
of  his  subordinates,  toward  Fredericksburg,  where  he  proposed  to 
seek  and  attack  the  rebels.  He  had  not  far  to  seek.  The  hills 
which  overlook  the  city  bristled  with  batteries,  and  after  crossing 
the  Rappahannock  and  hurling  his  forces  hour  after  hour  against 
the  massive  walls  which  formed  the  rebel  defenses,  with  no  other 
effect  than  to  produce  a terrible  slaughter  of  his  troops,  ho  was 
compelled  to  withdraw  to  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock. 

In  the  West,  the  rebel  General  Bragg,  who  had  succeeded  Beau- 
regard in  the  command  of  tlio  Western  army,  after  a strenuous 
effort  to  regain  luka  and  Corinth,  which  met  Avith  an  overwhelm- 
ing and  bloody  repulse,  moved  northward  again,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  regaining  Nashville,  plundering  Kentucky,  and  perhaps 
capturing  Louisville,  whicli  was  Buell’s  base  of  supplies.  Buell 
followed  him,  perhaps  as  rapidly  as  ho  was  able,  but  never  suc- 
ceeded in  overtaking  him  or  in  preventing  him  from  taking  pos- 
session of  important  towns  or  j)lundering  at  will.  He  did  not, 
however,  regain  possession  of  Nashville  nor  capture  Louisville,  but 
after  approaching  that  city  turned  back  with  a vast  train  of  plun- 
der and  attempted  to  regain  his  former  position  in  Tennessee. 
Buell  again  turned  and  pursued  him,  and  at  Perryvillo  pressed  him 
so  closely  as  to  compel  him  to  fight,  to  give  time  for  his  trains  to 
move  on  in  safety.  The  battle  was  indecisive,  and  Bragg  made  his 
escape  without  further  let  or  hindrance.  Dissatisfied  with  General 


702 


Review  of  the  War. 


Buell’s  inefficiency,  the  Government  removed  him  from  command, 
and  appointed  General  Rosecrans,  who  had  distinguished  himself  in 
the  late  battle  of  Corinth,  liis  successor.  That  General,  making  Nash- 
ville his  headquarters,  was  prepared,  in  the  last  days  of  the  year, 
to  seek  Bragg,  who  had  made  his  headquarters  at  Murfreesboro, 
and  give  him  battle.  The  conflict  which  followed,  known  as  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  was  at  first  a defeat  for  the  Union  troops, 
Bragg  massing  his  troops  against  Rosecrans’  right  wing,  crumpling 
and  crushing  it,  and  finally  crowding  back  his  center.  But  the 
disaster  wont  no  farther ; for  the  center,  though  pushed  back, 
stemmed  the  rebel  tide  and  held  their  ground,  while  the  Union 
commander  rallied  and  re-forrned  his  troops  in  a position  against 
which  the  rebel  waves  dashed  in  vain.  ■ The  succeeding  day  wit- 
nessed no  very  severe  fighting;  but  on  the  third  day,  when  Bragg’s 
right  wing,  commanded  by  Breckinridge,  attempted  to  repeat  the 
operation  of  two  days  before  and  roll  up  Rosecrans’  left  wing, 
they  were  met  by  a destruction  so  sudden  and  overwhelming,  that 
those  who  were  left  fled  in  tlio  wildest  terror,  and  ere  dawn  of  the 
next  day  Bragg  and  his  army  had  abandoned  Murfreesboro. 

General  Sherman,  in  command  of  two  corps  of  Grant’s  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  had  also,  just  at  the  close  of  the  year,  descended 
the  Mississippi  to  Vicksburg  to  attack  that  stronghold  from  the 
northwest,  while  Grant  himself  approached  it  from  the  east.  The 
capture  of  Holly  Springs — Grant’s  depAt  of  supplies — by  the  rebels 
on  the  20th  of  December,  prevented  his  co-operation,  though  too 
late  to  notify  Sherman,  who  proceeded  with  his  attack,  but  met 
with  a severe  and  mortifying  repulse. 

The  condition  of  the  slaves  who  had  escaped  from  their  rebel 
masters  had  already  excited  much  attention.  The  policy  of  Gov- 
ernment had  been  uniformly  to  receive  them,  to  employ  those  who 
were  able  to  labor,  and  to  provide  food  for  those  who  could  not. 
But  another  question  was  now  agitating  the  minds  of  the  Presi- 
dent, his  cabinet,  and  his  leading  generals.  The  slaves  were  an 
element  of  great  strength  to  the  rebels.  They  could  conduct  the 
simple  agriculture  and  rude  manufactures  of  the  South,  and  give 
their  masters  the  opportunity  to  go  to  the  war;  and  though  but 
few  of  them  became  soldiers,  they  were  employed  in  the  con- 
struction of  fortifications,  in  the  drudgery  of  the  camp,  and  in 
many  departments  of  labor  for  which  in  the  Northern  armies  en- 
listed soldiers  were  detailed.  It  was  well  known  that  the  sympa- 
thies of  the  negroes  were  wholly  with  the  North,  and  it  was  urged 


licvievo  of  the  ItVar.  703 

* 

■with  great  force  that,  apart  from  the  humanity  of  the  act,  the  proc- 
lamation of  emancipation  of  all  the  slaves  in  the  insurgent  States 
was  an  act  of  military  necessity,  and  one  which  would  effectually 
cripple  the  resources  of  the  rebels  and  hasten  the  termination  of 
the  war.  Slowly,  perhaps,  hut  with  great  positiveness,  had  the 
President  arrived  at  these  conclusions  ; and  while  he  hesitated  for 
some  time  on  account  of  the  border  slave  States,  whom  ho  strongly 
urged  to  adopt  a system  of  gradual  emancipation,  ho  had  fully 
made  up  his  mind  to  adopt  the  measure,  and  had  prepared  a proc- 
lamation indicating  his  intention  early  in  the  summer  of  1862,  but 
postponed  its  publication  until  it  could  follow  upon  the  heels  of  a 
victory.  On  the  22d  of  September,  1862,  ho  issued  his  proclama- 
tion, announcing  that  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1863,  ho  should 
proclaim  all  the  slaves  in  States  and  parts  of  States  which  were 
then  insurgent,  free,  and  that  ho  pledged  the  power  of  the  Govern- 
ment to  effect  and  maintain  their  freedom. 

The  new  year  (1863)  dawned  upon  the  consummation  of  this 
act  of  emancipation.  It  was  hailed  by  the  colored  race  with  ex- 
travagant joy,  while  the  rebels,  who  saw  in  it  the  presage  of  their 
downfall,  were  greatly  exasperated,  and  made  abundant  threats 
and  passed  acts  of  retaliation.  The  year  was,  however,  one  of  gen- 
eral prosperity  to  the  Union  cause.  The  disasters  were  few  and 
the  Successes  many.  Numerous  regiments  of  colored  troops  were 
enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  Union,  and  on  many  battle-fields 
proved  their  courage  and  ability. 

In  the  East,  after  a brief  period.  Hooker  succeeded  Burnside  in 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  attempted  to  turn 
Lee’s  left  flank  at  Chancellorsville,  sending,  meantime,  a cavalry 
force  to  cut  his  communications.  Lee,  fully  master  of  the  situa- 
tion, met  Hooker’s  movement  by  a counter  flank,  sending  “ Stone- 
wall” Jackson  to  strike  and  roll  up  Hooker’s  right,  which  ho 
accomplished,  partly  from  a want  of  watchfulness  on  the  part  of 
the  Union  troops,  and  partly  from  the  panic  with  which  his  sud- 
den attack  struck  a part  of  the  eleventh  corps.  The  battle  raged 
fiercely  that  night  and  the  next  morning,  and  Hooker’s  troops 
were  not  only  farced  back,  but  crowded  northward  toward  the 
fords  of  the  Rappahannock.  Sedgwick’s  corps,  which  had  been 
ordered  to  take  Fredericksburg,  and  had  accomplished  its  work 
after  a severe  battle,  pressing  westward  to  join  the  rest  of  the 
army,  encountered  the  whole  of  Lee’s  army  instead,  which  had 
passed  Hooker,  and  while  his  forces  lay  still  in  their  camps,  were 


>704  Revieio  of  the  'War. 

fighting  all  day  long  with  Sedgwick’s  single  corps  of  brave  men. 
Hooker  finally  recrossed  the  Rappahannock  without  having  ac- 
complished his  object,  but  with  heavy  losses  in  men  and  artillery. 

Lee,  emboldened  by  the  supposed  demoralization  of  Hooker’s 
army,  and  not  deterred  by  the  ill  success  of  his  former  inroad  into 
the  Northern  States,  started  early  in  June  for  a now  and  more  ex- 
tensive expedition.  Hooker  followed  and  occupied  interior  lines, 
crowding  Lee’s  army  westward  by  means  of  his  cavalry  beyond 
the  Bull  Run  Mountains,  and  compelling  him  to  cross  the  Potomac 
higher  up  than  he  liked.  The  last  days  of  June  indicated  by  the 
approaching  columns  of  the  two  armies  that  the  great  conflict 
would  take  place  at  or  near  Gettysburg,  Penn.,  and  hither  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  its  new  commander.  General  Meade 
(General  Hooker  having  been  relieved),  hastened,  and  for  three 
days  battle  raged  as  never  before  on  this  continent.  The  Union 
army,  partially  defeated  the  first  day,  gained  and  held  the  strong 
positions  of  Cemetery  Hill,  Round  Top,  and  Little  Round  Top,  and 
repulsed  all  the  assaults  of  the  enemy  with  a most  fearful  slaugh- 
ter, till  at  last,  his  best  troops  slain,  some  of  his  ablest  generals 
killed  and  wounded,  one  third  of  his  army  put  hors  de  combat,  and 
his  ammunition  nearly  expended,  he  began  to  move  for  the  Poto- 
mac. Meade’s  pursuit  was  not  so  active  and  vigilant  as  it  should 
Lave  been,  or  ho  might  have  compelled  the  surrender  of  Lee’s  array ; 
but  he  had  undoubtedly  achieved  a great  victory.  Lee  escaped  to 
the  Rapidan,  and  thither  Meade  followed,  and  except  an  unsuccess- 
ful attempt  of  the  latter  to  penetrate  between  the  wings  of  Leo’s 
army  in  the  autumn,  there  was  no  further  movement  of  the  two 
armies  during  the  year. 

Charleston  must  be  captured,  and  while  an  attack  on  its  outer 
defenses  in  the  summer  of  1862  had  proved  abortive,  and  a naval 
assault  under  Rear-Admiral  Dupont  in  April  had  been  unavailing, 
the  Government  and  the  nation  were  not  satisfied.  General  Gill- 
more,  the  hero  of  Fort  Pulaski,  was  put  in  command  of  the  land 
forces,  and  Rear-Admiral  Dahlgren  of  the  naval  force.  General 
Gillmore  chose  Morris  Island  as  the  base  of  his  operations.  The 
lower  portion  of  the  island  was  occupied,  the  strong  earth-work — 
Fort  "Wagner — twice  assaulted  with  fearful  loss,  and  finally  cap- 
tured by  siege  operations;  Fort  Sumter  bombarded  till  it  was  a 
shapeless  mass  of  ruins,  and  Charleston  shelled  till  its  entire  lower 
portion  became  uninhabitable.  In  the  Gulf,  Galveston  had  been 
captured  by  a portion  of  Rear-Admiral  Farragut’s  squadron,  only 


705 


Iteview  of  the  "War. 


to  be  held,  however,  for  a few  weeks,  when,  by  a treacherous  at- 
tack, the  rebels  regained  possession,  captured  the  Harriet  Lane,  and 
caused  the  destruction  of  the  Westfield.  In  this  unfortunate  affair 
the  gallant  Renshaw,  AYainwright,  Lee,  and  Zimmerman,  officers 
of  the  United  States  navy,  sacrificed  their  lives.  On  the  Missi.s- 
sippi.  General  Grant,  after  trying  in  vain  to  capture  Vicksburg 
from  the  north  and  northwest,  sent  several  of  the  gun-boats  and  a 
number  of  transports  past  the  batteries  in  safety,  and  marching  his 
troops  down  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  crossed  at  Bruins- 
burg,  thirty  miles  below  Vicksburg,  and  moving  northeastward, 
fought  six  battles  in  seventeen  days,  captured  Jackson,  the  capital 
of  the  State,  and  sat  down  before  Vicksburg,  which  he  now  com- 
pletely invested  on  the  18th  of  May.  After  two  assaults,  neither 
of  them  productive  of  much  advantage,  ho  proceeded  with  n regu- 
lar system  of  approaches,  till  the  rebels  surrendered  on  the  4th  of 
July.  The  trophies  of  this  victory  were  31,000  prisoners  and  over 
400  guns. 

Port  Hudson,  below,  was  surrendered  four  days  later,  and  the 
Mississippi  flowed  untrammeled  to  the  sea.  Rosecrans,  early  in 
June,  had  commenced  moving  forward  to  press  Bragg  farther 
south,  making  Chattanooga  his  objective.  Driving  him  from  Tul- 
lahoraa,  the  advance  on  Chattanooga  was  necessarily  slow,  as  the 
railroads  and  bridges  were  to  bo  reconstructed  with  a view  to  per- 
manence, that  his  supplies  from  his  primary  and  secondary  bases — 
Louisville  and  Nashville — might  be  safely  and  rapidly  transmitted. 
It  was,  as  we  have  said,  his  intention  to  occupy  Chattanooga,  but 
to  carry  that  important  point  by  direct  attack  would  have  re- 
quired the  sacrifice  of  more  men  than  he  could  spare,  and  ho 
accordingly  prepared  to  accomplish  it  by  a movement  by  the 
right  flank,  sending  his  corjis  d'amiee  to  cross  Lookout  Mountain 
at  different  passes,  miles  below  Chattanooga,  and  thus  threatening 
his  communications  with  lower  Georgia.  The  expected  result 
followed.  Chattanooga  was  evacuated,  and  occupied  by  a small 
Union  force ; but  Bragg  having  at  this  time  received  large  rein- 
forcements, resolved  to  regain  that  city,  and  striking  Rosecrans 
before  his  three  corps  could  unite,  to  defeat  him  in  detail.  By 
great  exertion  Rosecrans  was  able  to  effect  a junction  of  his  army 
corps,  and  in  the  great  battle  of  Chickamauga,  his  first  day’s  fight- 
ing, though  severe,  was  without  result.  The  second  day,  by  an 
unfortunate  misunderstanding  of  an  order,  a gap  was  left  in  the 
Union  lines,  and  about  one  third  of  the  army,  including  General 


706 


Hevieio  of  the  'War. 


Rosecrans  himself  and  two  of  the  corps  commanders,  McCook  and 
Crittenden,  were  swept  back  and  were  unable  to  force  tbeir  way 
through  to  the  remainder  of  the  army.  Hragg  now  supposed  he 
had  an  easy  victory  before  him,  but  the  sturdy  Thomas  won 
for  himself  new  honors.  Setting  his  back  to  the  mountains,  the 
“Rock  of  Chickamauga  1”  as  ho  lias  been  approjiriately  named, 
fought  it  out  with  a foe  five  times  his  numbers;  and  when  the 
enemy  rolled  up  toward  his  little  army  for  the  last  time,  hurled 
ujion  them  Stcedman’s  fresh  division,  and  drove  them  back, 
defeated  and  sullen  at  the  loss  of  their  expected  prey. 

Almost  simultaneously  with  this  movement,  Burnside  had  occu- 
pied Knoxville  and  captured  Cumberland  Gap,  and  Tennessee  was 
again  in  the  possession  of  the  United  States.  But  the  possession 
of  Chattanooga  was  not  to  be  maintained  without  a further  strug- 
gle. Bragg  was  still  further  reinforced,  and  Hooker,  Sherman, 
Blair,  and  Howard  were  sent  to  reinforce  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland ; Rosecrans  was  relieved  and  Thomas  put  in  his  place, 
and  Grant  made  the  commander  of  the  whole  Western  Division. 
Embarrassed  at  first  by  the  want  of  supplies,  as  the  rebels  held  a 
part  of  the  railroad  and  commanded  a portion  of  the  river,  they 
were  soon  relieved  by  the  maneuvers  of  Grant  and  the  battle  of 
Wauhatebio,  which  secured  the  command  of  the  river.  When 
Bragg  finally  announced  his  determination  to  bombard  the  city, 
having  sent  off  at  the  same  time  20,000  of  his  men  to  besiege 
ICnoxvillo,  Grant  re|)liod  by  sending  Hooker  to  drive  him  from 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  fight  that  buttle  “above  the  clouds,”  which 
will  bo  famous  in  history,  detaching  a cavalry  force  to  cut  the  rail- 
road lines  and  prevent  the  return  of  the  men  who  had  gone  to 
Knoxville,  directing  Sherman  to  demonstrate  persistently  and 
heavily  upon  Fort  Buckner,  while  he  hurled  Gordon  Granger’s 
corps  upon  Fort  Bragg,  and  Hooker’s  upon  Fort  Breckinridge. 
Bragg  was  routed  with  terrible  loss  of  men  and  guns,  and  his  de- 
moralized army  driven  beyond  Mission  Ridge  and  Pigeon  Mount- 
ain to  the  Chattoogata  or  Rocky-Faced  Ridge. 

In  18G4  new  and  grander  combinations  were  made  for  the  over- 
throw of  the  rebellion.  Inefficient  officers  were  weeded  out  from 
all  positions,  high  or  low,  and  the  Administration  exhibited  more 
decidedly  than  before  its  determination  to  press  the  war  to  a speedy 
conclusion.  Sherman’s  raid  into  central  Mississippi  and  Alabama, 
with  20,000  men,  was  of  more  value  for  the  terror  it  carried  into 
the  hearts  of  the  rebel  population  than  for  any  other  result.  The 


Iteviexo  of  the  War. 


ro7 

Red  River  expedition,  a miserable  and  disastrous  failure,  and  the 
battle  of  Olustee,  only  less  miserable  and  disastrous  because  fewer 
troops  were  engaged,  were  the  last  vestiges  of  the  “ anaconda”  sys- 
tem. Henceforth  there  were  but  two  grand  centers  of  military 
authority,  the  Lieutenant-General,  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  general-in- 
chief, butpersonally  coinmandingthe  Division  of  the  East,  and  Major- 
General  Sherman,  commanding  the  Division  of  tlie  Mississippi ; and 
these  two  worked  together  with  a perfect  unity  of  purpose.  Rich- 
mond, or  rather  Lee's  army,  Atlanta,  or  Johnston’s  army,  were  the 
objectives  of  each.  Early  in  ^[ay  the  grand  movements  commenced. 
Grant,  with  nearly  200,000  men  under  his  control  in  tlie  three 
armies  of  the  Potomac,  the  James,  and  West  Virginia,  moved  for- 
ward in  concert  toward  Richmond;  and  in  a series  of  battles,  un- 
equaled in  modern  history  for  their  terrible  destruction  of  human 
life — battles  which  will  make  the  names  of  Wilderness,  Spottsyl- 
vania,  Hanover  Court  House,  Cold  Harbor,  Mechanicsville,  and 
Chickahominy  memorable  in  all  the  future — drove  Lee  back  to 
Richmond;  then  swinging  his  troops  across  the  James,  laid  siege 
to  Petersburg,  and  by  ra[)id  and  heavy  blows — now  upori  the  de- 
fenses of  Richmond,  anon  upon  the  Weldon  Railroad,  mining  the 
rebel  fortifications  of  Petersburg,  throwing  his  troops  across  Hatch- 
er’s Run  to  break  the  Southside  Railroad,  sending  his  cavalry  to 
cut  the  communications  of  the  rebel  capital — kept  the  rebel  corn- 
inandor  constantly  on  the  alert,  and  held  his  forces  as  in  a vice 
at  this  point.  In  sheer  desperation,  Lee  attemi)ted  another  expedi- 
tion with  his  irregular  and  a few  regular  troops  into  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania;  but  Early,  its  commander,  though  lie  plundered 
several  towns  and  burned  one,  soon  found  his  master  in  the  fighting 
cavalry  general  Phil.  Sheridan,  whom  Grant  sent  to  take  care  of 
him;  defeated  at  Opequan  Creek  and  “sent  whirling”  through 
Winchester;  routed  from  Fisher’s  Hill  and  driven  in  hot  haste  and 
thorough  disorder  up  the  valley,  till  his  men  were  faio  to  hide  in 
the  mountains;  and  when,  reinforced,  ho  again  ventured  to  seek  his 
foe,  driven  back  in  disgrace;  and  when,  on  a third  effort,  which 
promised  to  bo  successful,  he  had,  in  Sheridan’s  absence,  flanked  his 
position  and  driven  his  army  several  miles,  how  completely  were  the 
tables  turned  at  Sheridan’s  sudden  appearance  1 Driven  back  at  full 
speed  twenty-six  miles  in  a single  night,  his  cannon  left  behind,  and 
the  line  of  his  flight  marked  at  almost  every  step  by  the  muskets, 
knapsacks,  blankets,  and  coats  his  men  had  thrown  away,  poor 
Early  was  glad,  henceforth,  to  keep  well  out  of  Sheridan’s  reach. 

36 


70S 


Review  of  the  War. 


Fierce  and  bloody  battles  were  not  uncommon  between  the  two 
resolute  and  well  matched  antagonists,  ^.co  and  Grant;  but  while 
the  latter  often  lost  the  most  men,  he  gained  something  with  each 
battle,  and  at  length  drew  his  lines  so  closely  that  the  pressure  began 
to  be  intolerable.  In  January,  18C5,  Lee  apprised  Jefferson  Davis 
that  without  some  great  changes  ho  could  not  hold  out  six  months 
longer.  After  two  severe  battles,  on  the  Cth  of  February  and  the 
25th  of  March,  1865,  the  final  struggle  came ; and  after  a five  days’ 
contest,  in  which  a great  cavalry  battle  was  fought  at  Dinwiddle 
Court  House,  and  sharp  and  severe  actions  near  Hatcher’s  Run,  at 
Five  Forks,  and  around  the  fortifications  of  Petersburg,  the  South- 
side  Railroad  was  brt)ken,  the  outer  works  at  Petersburg  captured, 
and  Petersburg  and  Richmond  evacuated.  Six  days  later,  and 
after  battles  at  Deatonsville,  Farmville,  and  Appomattox  Station, 
Lee  and  his  army  surrendered. 

Sherman’s  career  was  more  brilliant,  though  perhaps  not  more 
certain  of  eventual  success.  Leaving  Chattanooga  on  the  7th  of 
May,  1864,  and  moving  mostly  by  the  right  flank,  ho  drove  John- 
ston successively  from  Dalton,  Resaca,  Kingston,  Dallas,  Great  and 
Little  Kenesaw  Mountains  (an  assault  on  the  rebel  position  on  the 
former  mountain  proving  the  greatest  disaster  of  the  campaign), 
Allatoona  Pass,  Marietta,  and  Decatur;  and  Johnston  having  been 
superseded  by  Hood,  fought  three  sharp  battles  before  Atlanta,  in 
all  of  which  Hood  lost  very  heavily.  After  besieging  Atlanta  in 
vain  for  some  time,  he  boldly  raised  the  siege,  and  moving  twenty 
miles  below  broke  up  Hood’s  communications,  fought  and  defeated 
two  of  his  army  corps  at  Jonesboro,  and  compelled  the  evacuation 
of  Atlanta.  Taking  possession  of  that  city,  he  sent  off  the  inhabit- 
ants and  accumulated  stores  there  for  further  movements.  Hood 
attempted  to  cut  his  communications  between  Atlanta  and  Chatta- 
nooga and  boasted  of  his  intention  to  regain  possession  of  Tennessee. 
Sherman  followed  him  along  the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta  railroad, 
fought  and  repulsed  him  at  Allatoona  Pass,  drove  him  through 
Pigeon  Mountain  and  westward  to  Gaylesville,  Alabama;  and  then, 
having  assigned  two  corps  of  his  own  army  to  General  Thomas, 
and  directed  other  outlying  divisions  to  move  toward  Nashville,  he 
gave  him  general  instructions  to  take  care  of  Hood,  and  with  the 
four  remaining  infantry  corps  and  a well-appointed  cavalry  force 
turned  his  face  southward,  destroyed  the  railroad  from  Dalton  to 
Atlanta,  burned  the  public  storehouses  at  Atlanta,  and  on  the  14th 
of  November,  with  an  army  of  sixty  thousand  men,  abandoned  his 


709 


Review  of  the  War. 


base  and  strnck  ont  boldly  for  Savannah,  nearly  300  miles  distant. 
By  a skillful  handling  of  his  troops — now  threatening  one  point 
and  now  anotlier — lie  managed  to  prevent  any  considerable  gather- 
ing of  the  enemy  in  his  track;  and  with  nothing  more  than  a few 
Bkirmishes  captured  Milledgeville,  reached  the  vicinity  of  Savannah, 
and  carried  Fort  ^McAllister  by  assault  on  the  14tli  of  December. 
On  the  20tli,  Hardee  evacuated  Savannah,  and  Sherman  entered  it 
the  nest  day.  Meantime,  Hood  finding  that  Sherman  had  moved 
toward  Savannali,  left  his  camp  in  Alabama  and  marched  north- 
ward, intent  upon  again  occupying  Tennessee.  General  Schofield, 
who  was  at  Pulaski,  had  orders  to  fight  him  moderately  and  lure 
him  on  northward,  but  to  delay  his  progress  till  General  Thomas’ 
reinforcements  could  come  up ; ho  iierfonned  this  difficult  task  with 
c.xtraordinary  skill,  falling  back,  lighting  all  the  way  from  Pulaski 
to  Columbia,  from  Columbia  to  the  north  bank  of  Duck  River, 
and  thence  by  a forced  mai'ch  to  Franklin.  At  Franklin  a severe 
battle  was  fought  on  the  3d  of  November,  Schofield’s  army,  though 
greatly  inferior  in  numbers,  being  behind  breastworks  and  inflict- 
ing terrible  i)unishment  on  the  rebels.  In  this  battle  Hood  lost 
thirteen  generals.  Falling  back  again  to  Nashville,  the  rebel  Gen- 
eral followed,  and  attempted  to  reduce  Nashville  by  besieging  it 
on  the  soutli  side;  but  after  a fortnight,  General  Thomas  sallying 
forth  with  his  army,  crushed  one  wing  of  Hood’s  army  and  drove 
him  back  two  or  three  miles  the  first  day',  and  renewing  the  attack 
on  the  following  day  routed  him  completely,  and  pursuing  him  re- 
lentlessly for  two  weeks,  only  ceased  when  his  entire  army,  except 
a rear-guard  of  about  four  thousand  men,  was  a demoralized  and 
unarmed  mob.  Having  thus  so  completely  broken  up  Hood’s  fine 
army  that  it  was  no  longer  to  be  regarded  as  an  organized  force. 
General  Thomas  increased  his  cavalry  force  and  sent  one  large  di- 
vision, under  General  Stoneman,  eastward  into  southwestern  Vir- 
ginia and  North  Carolina,  three  divisions  or  about  15,000  mounted 
men  southward,  under  General  "Wilson,  into  Alabama  and  Gecngia, 
one  corps  of  infantry  to  Mobile,  and  another  eastward  to  Wilming- 
ton. General  Sherman  remained  about  a month  in  Savannah  and 
its  vicinity,  and  then  moved  forward  on  the  third  stage  of  the 
“great  march.’’  His  objective  this  time  was  Goldsboro,  North 
Carolina,  more  than  four  hundred  miles  distant.  His  army  march- 
ing into  two  columns,  and  vailed  on  either  wing  by  Kilpatrick’s 
cavalry,  cut  a swarth  of  forty  miles  in  width  through  the  heart  of 
South  and  North  Carolina,  taking  possession  of  Orangeburg, 


710  Heview  of  the  War. 

Columbia,  TVinnsboro,  Cberaw,  Fayetteville,  and  Goldsboro,  and 
coinifelling  tlio  rebels  to  evacuate  Cbarlesion  (wliicb  General  Gill- 
more  entered  on  the  18tb  of  Febrnai'v)  and  other  important  points 
on  the  seaboard.  In  all  this  route  he  fought  but  two  battles,  one 
at  Averysboro,  the  other  at  Bentonville,  North  Carolina,  in  both 
of  wbich  he  defeated  Johnston.  Arrived  at  Goldsboro,  he  remained 
there  for  a little  more  than  two  weeks,  refitting  his  army. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  18G1,  off  Cherbourg,  France,  occurred  a 
naval  battle,  between  the  United  States  sloop  of  war  Kearsarge, 
Captain  Winslow,  and  the  Anglo-rebel  privateer,  the  Alabaniii, 
which  for  two  years  had  committed  terrible  ravages  among  the 
merchant  vessels  of  the  United  States.  The  commander  of  the 
Alabama  was  the  challenger;  but  after  a severe  fight  of  about  an 
hour,  the  Alabama  was  compelled  to  surrender,  and  sunk  soon 
after;  about  thirty  of  her  crow  w'ere  drowned,  about  seventy  were 
I)icked  n[)  by  the  boats  of  the  KearSarge,  ami  the  remainder,  includ- 
ing the  rebel  commander,  were  rescued  by  the  Deerhound,  tin 
English  yacht  which  seemed  to  act  us  tender  for  the  Alabama,  and 
most  dishonorably  carried  them  to  the  English  shore  and  set  them 
at  liberty.  , 

General  Grant,  desirous  of  checking  the  blockade-running,  and 
of  crippling  Lee's  resources,  had  sent  in  December  a joint  land  and 
naval  force  to  reduce  Foi’t  Fisher,  a strong  earth-work  commanding 
the  entrance  to  Wilmington  harbor.  The  first  expedition  had 
proved  a failure,  but  a second  hud  been  promptly  fitted  ont — the 
latid  forces  under  Gotieral  Terry,  the  naval,  as  before,  tinder  Rear- 
Admiral  Porter — and  tifter  a most  desperate  and  persistetit  tissault 
of  six  hours  the  fort  was  capttired  atid  the  works  adjacetit  surren- 
dered. After  a brief  period  of  rest,  Generid  Terry  moved  forward  to 
carry  the  other  forts  and  batteries  defenditig  the  harbor,  and  General 
Schofield  and  his  corps  were  brought  from  Nashville  to  assist  iti  the 
Avork.  On  the  21st  of  Febrtiary,  Wilmington  was  evactiafed  after 
some  hard  fighting,  atid  on  the  22d  it  was  ocempied  by  Schofield’s 
and  Terry’s  troops.  These  two  corps  now  moveil  forward  through 
Kinston,  where  they  had  a severe  battle,  to  Goldsboro,  to  join 
Sherman. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  Sherman  again  moved  on  with  his  army  in 
pursuit  of  Johnston,  driviiig  him  from  Southfield  on  the  11th  and 
from  Raleigh  on  the  13th.  Here  the  news  of  Lee’s  surrender 
reached  them,  and  the  Union  troops  pushed  forward  with  new 
ardor  to  conquer  Johnston’s  army  also.  General  Johnston  seeing 


711 


Review  of  the  'War. 

escape  to  be  liopeless  now  made  overtures  for  surrender,  but  desired 
somewhat  different  terms  from  those  accorded  to  Lee,  and  proposed 
to  surrender  the  entire  rebel  armies  in  the  field.  A memorandum 
was  drawn  up  by  Johnston  and  Sherman  and  sent  to  Washington 
for  sanction,  but  was  unanimously  disapproved  by  the  President 
and  cabinet.  General  Grant  concurring.  The  Lieutenant-General 
carried  the  intelligence  of  its  rejection  to  General  Sherman,  and 
within  twenty-four  hours  General  Johnston  desired  another  inter- 
view, and  surrendered  on  the  same  terms  accorded  to  General  Lee. 

The  assassination  of  the  President,  which  occurred  on  the  14th 
of  April,  did  not,  as  it  was  feared  it  might,  delay  the  approach  of 
peace;  for  the  hopelessness  of  the  struggle  being  apparent,  the  rebel 
commanders  were  everywhere  ready  to  lay  down  their  arms. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  18G4,  the  forts  Morgan,  Powell,  and  Gaines, 
at  the  entrance  to  Mobile  harbor,  had  been  attacked  by  a combined 
force  under  General  Canby  and  Rear-Admiral  Farragut,  and  after 
a desperate  naval  battle,  in  which  the  iron-clad  ram  Tennessee,  the 
chef-d'auvre  of  the  rebel  armored  ships,  was  captured,  and  two 
others  of  their  gun-boats  destioyed,  the  forts  were  one  after  an- 
other reduced,  till  on  the  23d  of  August  the  last  surrendered. 
Other  operations,  and  the  necessity  for  the  employment  of  troops 
elsewhere,  delayed  the  siege  of  the  city  of  Mobile  until  ilarch,  1805, 
when  a formidable  force  having  ^leen  assembled  on  the  coast,  a 
combined  naval  and  land  attack  was  made,  and  the  formidable  de- 
fenses of  the  city  were  carried  one  after  another,  and  the  city  sur- 
rendered on  the  11th  of  April.  The  hundreds  of  tori)edoe3  with 
which  the  bay  was  planted  caused  the  destruction  of  two  iron-ctads 
and  four  other  vessels  of  the  United  States  navy. 

The  surrender  of  Mobile  was  soon  fidlowed  by  the  surrender  of 
General  Dick  Taylor  and  his  army,  on  the  same  terms  which  had 
been  accorded  to  Lee  and  Johnston,  and  the  giving  up  of  the  rebel 
navy  on  the  waters  of  Alabama. 

General  Wilson,  with  his  magnificent  cavalry  corps,  had  swept 
through  central  Alabama  and  Georgia,  capturing  Selma,  Mont- 
gomery, West  Point,  Columbus,  and  Macon ; and  Stoneman  mov- 
ing eastvrard  from  Knoxville  had  reached  Salisbury — intamous  as 
one  of  the  prison-pens  of  our  brave  soldiers ; and  the  two  cav- 
alry generals  were  now  moving  toward  each  other  in  search  of 
the  fugitive  rebel  President  Jefferson  Davis.  A detachment  of 
lYilson’s  corps  arrested  him  on  the  10th  of  Jlay,  1865,  at  Irwins- 
villo,  Georgia,  in  the  act  of  attempting  to  escape  in  feminine  garb. 


712 


Review  of  the  War. 


Tlie  arch-traitor  in  custody,  there  remained  no  more  rebels  in 
arms  except  Kirby  Smith’s  force  in  Texas,  which  also  surrendered 
on  the  2Gtli  of  Itlay. 

Thus  ended  the  rebellion  and  the  war  for  the  restoration  of  the 
Union.  It  had  cost  more  than  half  a million  of  lives,  and  in  the 
debts  of  the  two  sections  and  the  destruction  of  property  and 
values,  not  less  than  eight  thousand  millions  of  money  ; hut  fearful 
as  its  expense  had  been,  it  is  worth  all  that  it  has  cost.  Slavery 
lias  been  destroyed,  the  State  Eights  heresy  effectually  over- 
thrown, and  the  power  of  the  nation  to  maintain  its  integrity  in 
spite  of  domestic  treason  or  foreign  interferenco  fully  demon- 
strated. Henceforth  wo  are  one  people — one  in  purpose  and 
aim — one  in  our  hopes  for  the  present  and  our  aspirations  for  the 
future.  There  may  and  will  be  jealousies  and  prejudices  to  bo 
overcome;  bitterness  will  rankle  in  some  hearts,  perhaps,  during 
the  lifetime  of  tlio  present  generation ; but  henceforth  the  banner 
of  the  free  shall  float  over  an  undivided,  free,  ha])py,  and  prosperous 
land ; and  the  vast  resources,  still  but  half  developed,  which  will 
draw  to  our  shores,  in  rapidly  increasing  numbers,  the  oppressed  of 
all  nations,  will  soon  lighten  our  burdens,  and  cause  the  war  to  bo 
remembered  only  for  the  patriotism  it  developed  and  the  blessings 
it  has  secured  to  us.  W e can  even  now  realize  the  truth  of  the  pio* 
ture  seen  in  vision  by  the  poet  a dozen  years  agone : 

“Bo  wheresoe’er  our  destiny  sends  forth 
Its  widening  circles  to  thn  South  or  North  ; 

■Where’er  our  hunner  flaunts  bi-neiith  tlic  stars 
Its  mimic  splendors  and  its  cloudllke  bars— 

There  sliall  Free  Lalror’s  hardy  chddrcn  stand, 

Tim  equal  sovereigns  of  a slavt  less  land. 

And  wtion  at  lust  llie  bunted  bison  tires. 

And  dies  o’ertaken  by  the  rquatl)  r’s  Arcs; 

And  westward,  wave  rm  wave,  tim  living  flood 
Breaks  on  the  snow-line  of  m Jcsilc  Hood  ; 

And  lonely  8b  isla,  list'  ning.  bears  the  tread 
Of  Europe’s  f.i' -haired  children,  Hesper  led, 

And  gazing  downward  through  hi*  boar-locks,  sees 
The  tawny  Aslan  climb  hi-  giant  knees. 

The  Eastern  sen  shill  brush  h<s  waves  to  hear 
I’uclflc‘8  surf-beat  answer  Freed  mi’s  cheer. 

And  one  long  rolling  fire  i f triumph  run 
Between  tho  sunrise  and  the  stinset  gun  I** 


This  preservation  photocopy  was  made 
at  BookLab.  Inc.  in  compliance  with  copyright  law. 
The  paper  meets  the  requirements  of  ANSI/NISO 
Z39.48-1992  (Permanence  of  Paper) 


Austin  1996 


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y"'''ersity  Ubraries 


D01156355Q 


